Cayman SI feel like an iPhone commercial when I say this, but I’m going to do it anyway.
If you want to spend some time on the racetrack, there’s a car for that. If you want to do some heavy off-roading, there’s a car for that. If you need to deal with snow and ice, there’s a car for that. And, if you want the experience of open-air driving, there’s a car for that. There’s a car for just about anything, and, surprisingly, you can find them all in the Porsche lineup.
At a recent track day in Canada, journalists got a crash course in all things Porsche from off-road exercises to fast straightaways at 120 mph.
S curves
The first stop was at a slalom autocross course with the Cayman S ($60,200). We snaked our way around a coned course, pushing the corners and grounding to a screeching halt after the last curve. We did three laps during which I managed to shave 5 seconds off my total time.
The Cayman turned out to be my favorite car of the day. It handled smoothly for quick bursts of speed, yet held the corners magnificently under aggressive maneuvers. It appeared as if this car with 320 horses under the hood was meant to be driven on an autocross daily.
More important, however, was the interior comfort. When I slid behind the wheel, I could feel the sporty nature of the cockpit. But everything was easily reached, perfectly visible and eminently comfortable. The Cayman S could easily be an everyday driver.
Brake it
Next stop was with the 911 Turbo ($133,420) with a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.4 seconds. Before getting into the car I stood before a series of cones, looking at a man at the end. He was standing in the center of the path and holding a flag. The idea was to take this 3,494-pound machine and accelerate as fast as possible aiming directly at the man with the flag. About 20 yards from the man, we were supposed to slam on the brakes and then head in the direction that the flag was pointing.
Not my idea of a good plan. And the man with the flag is, well, politely said, very, very brave.
I was a bit timid on my first go-round even though the instructor in the seat next to me was telling me to pound it. I probably got up to about 40 mph and hit the brakes early. Staring into the eyes of the guy at the end of the cones was a little intimidating. However, because the car was so capable, I found myself getting braver and pushing the limits. Finally, I was accelerating up to 60 mph before slamming on the brakes and steering in the direction of the flag. Each time the 911 performed beautifully, steering under extreme braking.
The full-time all-wheel drive manages the 460 pound-feet of torque with aplomb and keeps the 480 horsepower firmly in check. This is one of the most quick and precise vehicles I’ve ever driven. The 911 Turbo could easily be an everyday driver.
Happy trails
Next, we did something I’d never think a Porsche could do: We went off road. And we’re not talking about your mild, dirt-rutted road. We’re talking about some pretty extreme hills and bumps and one obstacle that took two wheels off the ground.
Of course we didn’t do this in the 911 or the Cayman; we did it in the Cayenne GTS ($71,600). This is a vehicle that has a top track speed of 157 mph and has a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.7 seconds. It may have 405 horses under the hood, but it also has a wading depth of 21.06 inches and a maximum ground clearance of 9.88 inches.
We took a couple loops on the course, and the most daunting obstacle had each of the Cayennes climbing a craggy hill with the right rear wheel spinning in the air and the left front wheel bobbing on and off the ground until the other two wheels gained traction.
Watching the Cayenne in front of me was pretty cool. But there was that heart-stopping moment when I realized that I was going to have to traverse the same trail. Yet, the Meteor Gray Metallic Cayenne at my fingertips handled the trail unfailingly. And had I not seen the car in front of me crest the hill sans all four wheels on the ground, I never would have known the car I was driving did the same. This car could easily be an everyday driver.
Tracked
The final stop of the day was a few turns on the track at the Mosport International Raceway in Canada. Since this was a pretty controlled environment, we weren’t given full reign of the track, and we traveled in a follow-the-leader line. However, since we topped speeds of 120 mph in a 911 4S, Cayman S and Cayenne GTS, I can’t complain.
Since the Cayman was tricked out with the optional sport seats ($3,055), I can’t say it was as comfortable as the car on the autocross because the seats weren’t as adjustable for my small frame. But it certainly was the most nimble on the track. The 911 felt a bit heavy around the corners, but it got to higher speeds the fastest. It just didn’t corner as well in my opinion.
When it came time to take the Cayenne on the track, I was a bit skeptical. With good reason. You’re not going to get the race-car feel that you might experience in something like the BMW X6, but the Cayenne did pretty well for an SUV. It got up past 120 mph fairly easily, but you had to be very careful with the cornering. The Cayenne, obviously, is kind of top heavy.
While each of these cars was fun on the racetrack in their own way, again, I have to say that they are all easily everyday drivers.
Exclusivity
The only thing that surprised me more than the absolute drivability of each of the Porsches I tested was the absolute customization that is possible with each purchase.
Through a program called “Porsche Exclusive,” you can create a vehicle that’s truly yours from the exterior paint to interior trim.
Have a paint chip or nail polish that you adore? Simply bring it to the dealership and they’ll order a custom exterior color that matches it exactly. Want that color inside as well? That’s also possible. If you can think of it, Porsche can do it – direct from the factory.
You can get a glimpse on the Porsche Web site (www.porsche.com) at the different options and choices that are available. And you can specifically look at some select customizations, but you’ll have to go to the Porsche center at your dealership if you’re looking for something truly unique. There you can select everything from wood trim to exterior paint to leather seating surfaces. All of which are covered under the new vehicle warranty.
Before my crash course in Porsche, I was familiar with the Cayman, but I had no idea what a phenomenal family it belonged to. And after one short day behind the wheel of the Cayman, 911 and Cayenne, I have to say I’m thoroughly impressed. Porsches may be meant for the track. But they’re also meant to be everyday drivers.
VIDEO: Jill's bloopers
