In 2005, it was joined in the range by the new Cayman fastback coupé (project 987c) with which it shared the same mid-engine platform and many components, including the front fenders and trunk lid, doors, headlights, taillights, and forward portion of the interior.

The most obvious styling change is to the headlights, which now have a profile similar to those of the Carrera GT, Porsche's flagship mid-engine sports car of the time.

[4] The most significant updates from the 986 series are in the interior, with a more prominent circular theme evident in the instrument cluster and cooling vents.

Both models featured greater power due to an increase in engine displacement for the Boxster and the incorporation of Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) for the Boxster S. Both models were available with Porsche's new 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual clutch gearbox but came standard with a new 6-speed manual gearbox.

The interior included the redesigned Porsche Communication Management System as an option with a touchscreen interface to reduce button clutter.

[10] Only 1,960 units were produced worldwide, with approximately 800 slated for the U.S. with each model bearing a numbered production badge on the dash.

The RS60 came standard with 19 inch SportDesign alloy wheels, Porsche's Active Suspension Management System, and a sports exhaust that increased the engine output to 303 PS (299 hp; 223 kW).

Other special exterior features included glossy black painted mirrors, alloy wheels, front and side air inlets, and model designation.

On the interior, a numbered 'Limited Edition' plaque is found on the glove box door, while the seat inserts, 911 GT3-spec steering wheel, and handbrake lever all receive Alcantara trim, a suede-like material.

The Spyder has a firmer suspension setup than the other Boxster models, and is almost one inch lower in order to have improved handling.

A manually operated canvas top, carbon fibre sports bucket seats and two signature humps running along the back of the vehicle provide characteristic design elements.

It is powered by a six-cylinder boxer engine rated at 320 PS (316 hp; 235 kW) and 273 lb⋅ft (370 N⋅m) of torque, a 7.5 kW (10 hp) increase in power over the Boxster S and the related Cayman S. The Boxster Spyder came with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and had Porsche's 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox available as an option.

[18][19] The 987 chassis was used to develop three battery-electric prototypes in 2011, each known as the Boxster E, as part of the "Model Region Electro-Mobility Stuttgart" practical trial.

Photographs and technical details were released in May 2005, but the public unveiling took place at the September Frankfurt Motor Show.

Unlike the Boxster, the Cayman has a hatchback for access to luggage areas on top of and in the back of the engine cover.

The suspension design is fundamentally the same as that of the Boxster with revised settings due to the stiffer chassis with the car's fixed roof.

An electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transaxle (Tiptronic) was also available on the S (A87.21) and the non-S version (A87.02) (The 2009 models replaced this option with a seven-speed "PDK", Porsche's dual clutch transmission.

Rally driver Walter Röhrl lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife track in a Cayman S equipped with optional 19" wheels, PCCB, and PASM[29] in a time of 8 minutes, 11 seconds.

[42] The Cayman R was introduced in 2011 as the pinnacle of the 987.2 generation with a reduced weight, increased power, improved aerodynamics and handling.

The Cayman S Sport comes in Bright Orange and Signal Green (from the 911 GT3 RS), as well as Carrara White, Speed Yellow, Guards Red, Black, and Arctic Silver (done upon special order at an extra cost).

The Cayman S Sport also features short shifter, sports seats, deviated color seatbelts, "Cayman S" striping on the door sides, black Porsche Design 19-inch wheels, various gloss black interior trims, gloss black side mirrors, stainless steel door sills with "Cayman S Sport" script, 5 mm wheel spacers, and Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob from the 997 911 GT3 RS.

Weight Saving: a 54.8 kg (121 lb) weight saving over the Cayman S was achieved with the use of 19 inch lightweight wheels shared with the Boxster Spyder, aluminium doors from the 997 911 GT3, carbon fibre bucket seats from the 997 911 GT2, and with the removal of the radio, storage compartments, air-conditioning, door handles and rear wiper.. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system was an additional option available for the Cayman R. Styling: The Cayman R also received various cosmetic changes, such as decals on the doors, instrument cover delete, gloss black painted mirrors, black 'R' model designation emblem on the trunk, dashboard and door sills, as well as black painted wheels.

[48][49][50] Personalisation Options: Launch and Production Numbers: The Cayman R debuted at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show on 17 November 2010.