We’ve spotted the 2012 Boxster, but now we have the first spy photos of the next-gen Boxster’s hardtop sibling, the 2013 Cayman. Since the two cars share a platform, most of what we know about the Boxster will apply to the Cayman as well. This means carry-over flat-sixes, with a new flat-four as the base engine. The current Cayman engine lineup starts with a 265-hp, 2.9-liter flat-six, moving to a 320-hp, 3.4-liter flat-six in the Cayman S. We don’t know much about the new four-cylinder, but it most likely will be a shortened version of the six, rather than an all-new engine. Transmissions are not likely to change much, and the new Cayman should make do with the existing six-speed manual and seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic.

The upcoming Boxster will ride on a slightly longer wheelbase, and the Cayman will inherit the same extension. The longer wheelbase shows itself here in the Cayman’s longer rear-quarter windows and the longer roofline. Aside from an expected boost in interior space, perhaps the biggest benefit of the stretch is that the lengthened hatch affords a larger rear window.

Moving down from the roofline, the appearance of the next Cayman will change little from today’s car. These shots of the next Cayman reveal a more 911-like silhouette and front end. The roof appears flatter than the current car’s, and we can see just how much the stretched wheelbase affects things like the size of the rear window. The fenders are just as curved and pumped-out as the current Cayman’s, and the vertical intakes ahead of the rear wheels remain—how else are you going to feed a mid-mounted engine? From the front of the car, we got a clear look at the Boxster’s schnozz, and we can confidently say that not much will change up front for the coupe, either. (This is sort of a habit at Porsche; note how similar the next 911 will be to the current car—and the one before that, and the one before that, and so on.) This prototype appears to have a sensor in the front fascia’s center opening, suggesting some kind of laser- or radar-based system like active cruise control will be offered.

Then again, we can’t think of much we want to change. In an era of tremendous upheaval in the auto industry, Porsche’s mid-engine coupe is one thing we’re glad to see stay the same. Look for better, crisper pictures of the Cayman as its official debut sometime in mid-2012 draws near.



Click for Full Size




Click title for the source