Meet the Brand New Cayman Porsche: A Test Drive like No Other
The Cayman is back and better than ever, rebuilt from the ground up with a focus on lightness, power, and efficiency. We're testing two brand new models to settle a popular debate among petrol heads: which one should you choose? The answer lies in the transmission - a manual gearbox versus the Porsche Double Clutch Semi-Automatic (PDK) system.
Today's test drive features Finnish double world rally champion Marcus Grönholm, known for his icy nerves and exceptional driving skills. We're putting both cars head-to-head in a one-kilometer drag race and then over a flying lap. But first, we need to decide who gets to choose which car - a toss of the coin decides, with Marcus opting for the PDK-equipped Cayman. The result? A thrilling display of each gearbox's strengths and weaknesses.
The debate among petrol heads has been ongoing for years: should you stick with the manual or take advantage of the semi-automatic's speed and ease of use? In the past, the manual would have been the obvious choice - after all, what's more fun than shifting gears yourself? But as technology advances, so too do these automatic transmissions. The Cayman's PDK system has two clutches, allowing for faster gear changes and smoother power delivery. It may not be as engaging as a manual, but it certainly has its advantages.
The stage is set for the race: we'll both start on the track, with Marcus taking an early lead. As the car speeds up to 80-90 miles per hour, the gap narrows between us - and yet, the Porsche still pulls ahead. But this isn't a straightforward victory; it takes skill and finesse to master the PDK system. Marcus has clearly done his homework, as he effortlessly shifts gears and maintains speed.
But there's more to driving than just raw speed. The Cayman's manual transmission offers a level of connection with the car that's hard to replicate with an automatic - it's a driver's car through and through. As we navigate the track's twists and turns, I find myself focusing on the road ahead, shifting gears seamlessly as needed. It's not just about speed; it's about control.
And yet, despite its limitations, the PDK system is undeniably impressive. The way it glides from one gear to the next, with nary a hitch or hesitation - it's like having an extension of your own hand on the wheel. Marcus may have lost this battle, but I can see why he chose this car.
Time for the final showdown: a flying lap around the track. We'll both drive as fast and as smoothly as possible, with no holds barred. And yet, despite my best efforts, I find myself struggling to match Marcus's pace. The PDK system is certainly quick, but there's something about driving a manual that just feels more natural.
In the end, it's clear: the Porsche Double Clutch Semi-Automatic (PDK) system has its strengths and weaknesses - and which one you choose ultimately comes down to personal preference. For those who value speed and ease of use, the PDK may be the way to go. But for those who crave a more engaging driving experience - a connection with the car that's hard to replicate - the manual transmission is still the superior choice.
As we pull into the pits at the end of our flying lap, I turn to Marcus with a grin. "Well, it looks like you won this battle," I say, shaking his hand in defeat. He smiles back, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I may have won this time, but I'm not sure about the next race - that was one of the closest battles I've ever had."
And so the debate continues, as petrol heads around the world weigh their options and consider which transmission is right for them. The Porsche Cayman has proven itself to be a formidable competitor in both drag racing and flying laps - but ultimately, it's up to you to decide which one suits your driving style best.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enmeet the brand new cayman porsche's mid-engine sports car has been rebuilt from the ground up it's lighter more powerful and more efficient than before today i'm testing two brand new caymans so that i can settle a petrol head pub debate these are mechanically identical apart from their transmissions this has a manual gearbox whereas this one has a double clutch semi-automatic style now a few years ago we would have gone for the manual because it's much more fun to drive but these are getting better every day so this could be the first car where people like us go for the semi-automatic version to help me find out which is best i'm being joined by finnish double world rally champion marcus gronholm a man with ice running through his veins we're going to race the cars head to head in a one kilometer drag race and then over a flying lap but first we need to decide who drives what marcus grano rallying legend double ball chat champion yeah yep which is 2 000 and 2002. i can still see you've got that look in your eye though yes it's there well i'll tell you what why don't we toss to see who gets to to choose which car so heads or head tails tails it is oh i'm a generous man i'm gonna let you have the pdk thank you round one i fancy a bit of this porsche semi-auto is called pdk and has two clutches enabling the next gear to be pre-selected before you need it that means faster changes than the manual and no interruption to the engine's power delivery can you hear me at the finish line what's going on look at them you can see that each gear change and he's just edged away come on once we got to say 80 90 mile an hour there was nothing between the cars i hate i hate losing the system is good and shifting is easy clearly it was i was quick well i'll tell you what mark cause you can clearly see that that pdk is a better gearbox quicker isn't it it's quicker but then when i got the speed up you had no chance he talks a good game this lad doesn't he yes right time for a race we're going to remove the pdk's advantage off the line by having a flying start we'll both drive as quickly as possible over two laps if i'm beaten by a rally driver in an automatic well it'll be hell off now there is one benefit of having the manual and that is the transmission there's a lot simpler and therefore lighter some 30 kilograms lighter so in theory this should handle this manual car a little bit better than the pvk drag race is one thing but now we're gonna get in my domain on tarmac on a track three two one go rolling start yes i was a little bit behind in the sky and now see i've got the line here ah i think i love that i had the line for the first corner but he had a slightly quicker car up through the gears oh he's trying it on good lad in the second quarter i overtook him then yeah tell me what he knows how to drive a car does that land oh it's a bit early on the brakes there i've caught up right he's left the gap you're not coming through there body land i have to catch him and we're away tell you what on the limit these things it's so beautifully balanced a little bit of overseeing nothing no drama didn't really feel the need to correct it and we got him lit he's bloody greek let's make a mistake of these two he's a racing driver so you need to be smooth and not not rally style a little bit of show boats in there show them out let me do a bit of skidding and sliding i must meet him and we got him beaten whoa well i've has a win i let you in there's less than a second between them today has been a brilliant demonstration of each gearbox's qualities the pdk is best for ultimate speed off the line but over a lap the manual is more involving and is the gearbox that i will choose youmeet the brand new cayman porsche's mid-engine sports car has been rebuilt from the ground up it's lighter more powerful and more efficient than before today i'm testing two brand new caymans so that i can settle a petrol head pub debate these are mechanically identical apart from their transmissions this has a manual gearbox whereas this one has a double clutch semi-automatic style now a few years ago we would have gone for the manual because it's much more fun to drive but these are getting better every day so this could be the first car where people like us go for the semi-automatic version to help me find out which is best i'm being joined by finnish double world rally champion marcus gronholm a man with ice running through his veins we're going to race the cars head to head in a one kilometer drag race and then over a flying lap but first we need to decide who drives what marcus grano rallying legend double ball chat champion yeah yep which is 2 000 and 2002. i can still see you've got that look in your eye though yes it's there well i'll tell you what why don't we toss to see who gets to to choose which car so heads or head tails tails it is oh i'm a generous man i'm gonna let you have the pdk thank you round one i fancy a bit of this porsche semi-auto is called pdk and has two clutches enabling the next gear to be pre-selected before you need it that means faster changes than the manual and no interruption to the engine's power delivery can you hear me at the finish line what's going on look at them you can see that each gear change and he's just edged away come on once we got to say 80 90 mile an hour there was nothing between the cars i hate i hate losing the system is good and shifting is easy clearly it was i was quick well i'll tell you what mark cause you can clearly see that that pdk is a better gearbox quicker isn't it it's quicker but then when i got the speed up you had no chance he talks a good game this lad doesn't he yes right time for a race we're going to remove the pdk's advantage off the line by having a flying start we'll both drive as quickly as possible over two laps if i'm beaten by a rally driver in an automatic well it'll be hell off now there is one benefit of having the manual and that is the transmission there's a lot simpler and therefore lighter some 30 kilograms lighter so in theory this should handle this manual car a little bit better than the pvk drag race is one thing but now we're gonna get in my domain on tarmac on a track three two one go rolling start yes i was a little bit behind in the sky and now see i've got the line here ah i think i love that i had the line for the first corner but he had a slightly quicker car up through the gears oh he's trying it on good lad in the second quarter i overtook him then yeah tell me what he knows how to drive a car does that land oh it's a bit early on the brakes there i've caught up right he's left the gap you're not coming through there body land i have to catch him and we're away tell you what on the limit these things it's so beautifully balanced a little bit of overseeing nothing no drama didn't really feel the need to correct it and we got him lit he's bloody greek let's make a mistake of these two he's a racing driver so you need to be smooth and not not rally style a little bit of show boats in there show them out let me do a bit of skidding and sliding i must meet him and we got him beaten whoa well i've has a win i let you in there's less than a second between them today has been a brilliant demonstration of each gearbox's qualities the pdk is best for ultimate speed off the line but over a lap the manual is more involving and is the gearbox that i will choose you\n"
