Porsche officially launched its new (don't-call-it-a) Boxster coupe, the Cayman S today, at a psych-out press conference many here hoped would include a surprise unveiling of a concept based on the company's Panamera four-door coupe coming in 2009. Though no such concept was uncovered, the excitement over the Cayman's unveiling was surprisingly undampened by most everyone's having already seen it in two dimensions. It's way better looking up close, even from the side — the view most feel is its weakest design-wise. The mid-engined two-seater is just as advertised: 3.4-liter, 295hp six; zero to 62mph in 5.4 seconds; top speed of 171mph (though a typo in the press materials states the top speed at a supremely optimistic 183mph); optional ceramic brakes and 0.29 drag coefficient. It fits neatly into the Porsche line between the Boxster and upmarket-creeping 911, too. It's almost like a 1982 911SC recast for the '00s. [Update: Sean from Downshift takes on our reflexive praise of the 1982 911SC. I love this job.]

Related:
Porsche Reveals Official Pics of Cayman [internal]

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