On paper – the TT RS trumps the Cayman S in almost every category.
 2014 Porsche Cayman S vs 2013 Audi TT RS. Click image to enlarge |
Base price of the TT RS is $67,600. Factor in the $650 Sepang Blue Paint, Sport Exhaust ($1500) Aluminum Trim ($1,000), Audio Package ($1,300) and freight ($1,995) and the price as tested is $76,445.
The Porsche Cayman S, on the other hand, is a two seater. The front trunk (or frunk) is 150 litres – and the hatch space with rear pass-through is 424 litres. There’s no available AWD option for the Cayman, it’s strictly a RWD vehicle.
And here’s the crucial information: the base price of the Cayman S starts just slightly below where the loaded up TT RS left off.
Both cars contained almost identical equipment, but the Cayman S has a base sticker off $72,900.
 2014 Porsche Cayman S vs 2013 Audi TT RS. Click image to enlarge |
Add Platinum Silver Paint ($820), Porsche Torque Vectoring ($1,510) PDK transmission ($3,660), 20-inch Carrera S Wheels ($1,790) Porsche Active Suspension Management ($2,050), Sports Chrono Package ($2,710), Sport Design Steering Wheels ($560), Sports Seats with memory package($2,650) Premium Package ($1,340) and Infotainment with Bose Sound ($4,560) and freight ($1,085) and the total is $95,635.
That’s just a hair under a whopping $20,000 difference.
The TT RS puts out 360 hp/343 lb-ft to the Cayman’s 325/273. It goes from zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds, while the Cayman takes 5.0 seconds.
But Zuffenhausen trumps Ingolstadt when it comes to fuel consumption. Official numbers are 12.3 L city/8.1 highway for the Audi, but only 9.9L/6.6 for the Porsche.
When it comes to intangible qualities like subtle communication and superb handling – the Porsche Cayman S comes out ahead.
Add up the numbers – and the Audi is clearly the winner.
So which then, is the better car? It depends on whether you’re led by logic or emotion.
I’ve always tended to follow my heart, rather than my head – and the Cayman S has won mine.
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Pricing
Audi TT RS
Base Price: $67,600
Options: Sepang Blue Paint ($650), Sport Exhaust ($1500) Aluminum Trim ($1,000), Audio Package ($1,300)
Freight: $1,995
Air: $100
Price as Tested: $76,445
Porsche Cayman S
Base Price: $72,600
Options: Platinum Silver Paint ($820), Porsche Torque Vectoring ($1,510) PDK transmission ($3,660), 20-inch Carrera S Wheels ($1,790) Porsche Active Suspension Management ($2,050), Sports Chrono Package ($2,710), Sport Design Steering Wheels ($560), Sports Seats with memory package($2,650) Premium Package ($1,340) and Infotainment with Bose Sound ($4,560)
Freight: $1,085
Air: $100
Price as Tested: $95,635
