To fill in every possible gap in their product line-up for the sports car market, Porsche recently introduced the entry-level Cayman. Instead of the 3.4-litre engine in the Cayman S, this is powered by the 2.7-litre engine from the Boxster, slightly smaller wheels and brakes, one less gear and a price tag that's €17,350 less at €79,600.
It's also €6,750 more than the entry-level Boxster, which means the gap between models is relatively thin, considering the price bracket it's filling. It's certainly a better looking car than the Boxster.
As for the differences between the two Caymans, these are not apparent to anyone but Porsche aficionados. However, they do become more apparent when you get behind the wheel. The entry-level Cayman lacks the deep-throated mid-engined acoustics that echo in the cabin of the S version. In this version you sedately cruise along until about 4,500rpm and then the engine note hits the tune one would expect from a Porsche.
The car could never be considered slow - with a 0-100bhp time of 6.1 seconds - but it does require a little effort to keep it in full flow and certainly on the Donington track there was a noticeable need to keep the revs up to come close to the Cayman S performance. That aside, the handling is as precise as its more powerful sibling.
Then again, most owners will not be venturing on to too many racetracks during their Cayman tenure. For many the image alone will seduce them to buy. It has the look, the presence and the appeal of the more expensive version and most will not spot the difference. However, if the bank manager is in a generous mood, then we'd opt for the fully-fledged S version.