With its mid engine packaging, the Cayman loses some of the advantages of the 911. A strict two-seater, no room for a laptop bag behind the seats, but the front boot is spacious and deep, and the rear trunk brings a useful complement. Realistic for longer trips as long as smaller, soft luggage is selected.

The price list is a cold shower: 104’700 CHF base price, and a scarcely believable 130’850 CHF in this test configuration spec’d with some excess. Some options like directional headlights seem out of place for the car’s philosophy, and I would happily do without the 1180 CHF Sport Design wheels and their 2450 CHF black varnish, but it is difficult to accept that a full leather dash costs another 5070 CHF extra.

Since its launch in 2006, the Cayman lives in the shadow of the 911 queen, with sales volumes in Switzerland that remain low: from 212 units in its launch year, they eroded to just 53 in 2010 (see details). At launch, we had found the Cayman S version attractive in spite of its 295hp engine feeling light for a brilliant chassis, but this R version feels remarkably coherent and homogenous. Far more than a 911 for less, it is a different product with a distinct identity. A princess with unmistakable genes, but with a character one would be mistaken to underestimate. She seduced me.

Price of main options (CHF)