The Porsche Cayman is basically a Boxster coupe. But Porsche doesn't like that description because the Cayman's character makes it an individual machine. Its fresh styling is striking, for one thing; and the rigidity of its chassis takes the handling from great to brilliant. Enthusiast publications have gone so far as to call it a masterpiece, out of the box. Cayman was introduced as an all-new model for 2006.

The 3.4-liter boxer six engine is mounted behind the seats, giving the car ideal balance and bringing a sweet but not loud 7000-rpm howl into the cabin. Two hundred and ninety-five horsepower, along with the car's light weight, bring 60 mph in five seconds with a top speed of 171 mph, with the standard six-speed gearbox in the Cayman S, our test vehicle. The standard Cayman, which costs about $10,000 less, uses a 2.7-liter version of the same engine, making 50 less horsepower with a five-speed gearbox. Tiptronic S, Porsche's five-speed manual automatic transmission, is optional on both Caymans.

With its magnificent brakes, big vented rotors and four-piston calipers, the Cayman S will stop from 60 mph in a mere 106 feet. The ride is naturally firm, but comfortable all day long.

The cabin has the quality of a luxury car, while keeping the focus on function. The Cayman comes standard with a digital radio with in-dash CD and eight-speaker system, and the Cayman S has a Bose Surround Sound system. Thanks to a large amount of storage space for a sports car, two people could travel across the country and be very happy: never tired, never inconvenienced, and excited by the performance. And the Cayman will deliver 25 miles per gallon along the way.

Big trucks might be intimidating on the highway because the Cayman is low to the ground, but it's still a very safe vehicle, with a chassis engineered to withstand a crash, those superb anti-lock brakes, sophisticated electronic stability, and three airbags per occupant: frontal, thorax and head.