Looking almost as good as the 911 and coming close to being its equal at the track, the mid-engine Cayman makes a strong case for driving enthusiasts after a modern-day Porsche. The second generation of the car, which is new for the 2014 model year, improves the breed even further thanks to a longer wheelbase, new chassis and reduced weight.

For fans of the Cayman, we’ve got our hands on a new video that provides a glimpse at the car’s design process. The video features Tony Hatter, Porsche’s designer in charge of its sports cars, talking about the design process and the evolution of the Cayman.

Hatter provides an insider's perspective on the philosophy that shaped the car, and we’re glad to see that even in this world of computer-aided design the design process for a new Porsche always starts with just a piece of paper and pencil.

Hatter also reveals that the Porsche 904 of the 1960s was the inspiration for the design of the latest Cayman.

Two versions of the car are currently on offer, the regular Cayman and Cayman S, and both are available with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The standard Cayman uses a 2.7-liter flat six-cylinder engine rated at 275 horsepower. With the optional Sport Chrono package, it can get to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds when equipped with PDK. The Cayman S, meanwhile, gets a 325-horsepower 3.4-liter flat-six and is good for 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, again with the Sport Chrono package and PDK.

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