Porsche is presenting the second generation of the mid-engined Cayman sports coupe at the Los Angeles Motor Show this week. The highlight is the new, flat-six ‘boxer’ engines, developed to incorporate new technical features from the ground up, providing not only more power, but also significantly greater fuel efficiency.

The Cayman now has an engine displacing 2.9-litres, which develops 265 bhp, an increase by 20 horsepower over the prior 2.7-litre model.

The 3.4-litre power unit in the Cayman S now features Direct Fuel Injection, and delivers 320 bhp, up by 25 bhp.

These developments see the engines fitted to the Cayman and Cayman S coupes offering more horsepower than those in the Boxster roadster. This move emphasises the sports driving orientation of the Cayman and further differentiates the coupe.

An outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 4.2kg/bhp on the Cayman S in particular ensures optimum driving dynamics. For example, the Cayman S with PDK (Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) and Launch Control (featured in the optional Sports Chrono Package Plus) accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, setting the benchmark in the range.

When combined with the PDK transmission, the new 2.9-litre engine of the Cayman clearly breaks through the 30.0mpg fuel consumption boundary. Indeed, the figure of 31.0mpg is approximately 10 per cent better than the previous model with the Tiptronic S automatic transmission. Increasing fuel economy by an even more significant 15 per cent to 30.1mpg, the 3.4-litre Cayman S with PDK offers an even greater saving over its predecessor with Tiptronic S.

In parallel with the improvement in fuel economy, so emissions of the engines have decreased also. Depending on model, emissions have been reduced by up to 16 per cent. The Cayman with the standard six-speed manual gearbox emits 221g/km CO₂, and 214g/km CO₂ when fitted with PDK. The Cayman S manual emits 223g/km CO₂, and 221g/km CO₂ with PDK.

Significantly, these developments move every Cayman model – whether manual or PDK – into Band F for Vehicle Excise Duty and company car taxation purposes.

The next generation Porsche Cayman goes on sale in the UK and Ireland from February 21 2009. The Cayman is priced from £36,870 and the Cayman S priced from £45,050.