THE 2009 PORSCHE CAYMAN was unveilled alongside its Boxster sibling only last November, but already Stuttgart’s engineers are well into development of the next generation.

These new spy photos reveal a current model Cayman running as a test mule for the new platform, with bolt-on guard extensions pointing to a wider track than the 2010 car.

That wider track means the next-gen Cayman and Boxster models, expected to debut in late 2011 or early 2012, may be larger and carrying more performance.

Despite the apparent advanced stage of development this test car would indicate, it’s too early to know just what Porsche has in store for the engine and transmission.

Reports out of Europe have suggested that Porsche is considering a turbo-charged four-cylinder, which would help the car achieve the strict new emissions laws slated to come into effect in 2015. Emissions of the current Cayman and Boxster, the most efficient cars in the Porsche line-up, are around 222g/km - about 100g/km more than the new laws will allow.

The new Cayman and Boxster are expected to be built by Magna Steyr, with Porsche’s contract with Finland-based Valmet Automotive ending in 2011.

GALLERY » Next-Gen Porsche Cayman Spy Shots