It must be tough, running a company like Porsche - you're famous and best known for selling a particular type of car that only appeals to a narrow band of people with a certain amount of money. Financially, it's a no-brainer to go where the cash is and broaden your appeal with products like the Cayenne, but armchair critics who don't have to pay Porsche's monthly bills see things differently.
Where perhaps a keen driver might not have been quite so excited about the arrival of the Cayenne SUV, the Cayman coupe is exactly the sort of thing that floats a Porsche fan's boat. A driver-focused, hard-top version of the Boxster roadster that has already won so many hearts in the decade and a half it has been on sale.
It could even on paper be a better car than the hallowed 911 that sits at the top of the range. It may be developed and engineering by driving boffins to within an inch of its life, but it is still an inherently-flawed package. The Cayman adopts the Boxster's mid-engined layout, much more conducive to a fun drive, and it has the virtue of being much lighter than the 911 too.
The Cayman comes with the same 2.9-litre engine in the standard Cayman and 3.4-litre engine in the hotter Cayman S guise as the Boxster has, and whilst much of the componentry has been brought over from the soft-top car, the Cayman benefits from being naturally more stiff because its roof.
When it comes to the inevitable comparison with the 911 we would say that the Cayman is definitely more fun to drive - it launches itself into corners with gusto, chattering back to you through the steering wheel and urging you on. The 3.4-litre engine is one of the best powerplants in the world full stop, but that electric driving experience is what sets the Cayman fully apart from all of its opposition and makes it worth every single penny of the expensive asking price.
There are other bonuses too - that rear hatch and mid-mounted engine means that there's actual storage space available behind the cabin, with even a little room left over under the bonnet. You can't scoff at these things in such cars.
The Cayman is a thrilling sports car and refined cruiser - why even bother with a 911?