Car Reviws |
| Porsche Cayman R, an AW Flash Drive: Posted: 25 Feb 2011 01:42 PM PST  The 2012 Porsche Cayman R runs from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
What is it? Positioned above the existing Cayman S, the Cayman R gets an upgraded engine, a range of weight-saving measures and a host of subtle chassis modifications. With a power-to-weight ratio beyond that of the 911 Carrera, it promises to be special. But first, some details. For service in the R, Porsche's existing 3.4-liter horizontally opposed gasoline engine has been upgraded to the same specification as that of the Boxster Spyder. Peak power increases by 10 hp over the Cayman S, to 330 hp. It also is developed 200 rpm further up the rev range, at 7,400 rpm. Torque, on the other hand, is rated at the same 273 lb-ft of its lesser sibling, developed at a relatively high 4,750 rpm. Drive is through a standard six-speed manual gearbox, but our test car ran the optional seven-speed, dual-clutch PDK unit, which is claimed to provide the new Porsche with 0-to-60-mph acceleration in 4.7 seconds--0.2 second faster than the Cayman S. The Cayman R also gets a standard mechanical locking differential. Already available as an option on the Cayman S, it provides 22 percent lockup under load and a 27 percent lock on a trailing throttle. The suspension is lowered 0.8 inch and receives firmer spring and dampers. The settings are fixed, without the variable rate system of the Cayman S. Differentiating the new car from the rest of the Cayman lineup is a deeper front bumper that is claimed to reduce front-end lift by 15 percent, black headlamp surrounds, black exterior-mirror housings, Porsche decals and a fixed rear spoiler--which is said to increase downforce at the rear by as much as 40 percent. In keeping with its performance brief, there are a number of lightweight components. Aluminum doors, borrowed from the 911 Turbo, cut 33 pounds. New 19-inch alloy wheels, the lightest fitted to any Porsche model as standard, take weight down by an additional 11 pounds. The Cayman R also sports a smaller 14.3-gallon fuel tank, compared with the 17.1-gallon tank used in the Cayman S. The interior has been pared down with a basic plastic dashboard, pull straps in place of door handles and an absence of cupholders, air conditioning and a radio. Standard carbon-fiber-backed seats are 26.5 pounds lighter than those used in the Cayman S. What is it like to drive? Direct, incisive and with the sort of relentless urgency that has traditionally set apart all of Porsche's performance-oriented models The Cayman S is a great car--an enduring favorite within the AutoWeek office, no less. But the R raises the performance bar and, with it, our appreciation of its abilities to an even higher level. In truth, the increase in power is not that noticeable, even with the reduction in weight. The Cayman R feels quick--both off the mark and through the gears--but it doesn't come across as being light-years ahead of the Cayman S for out-and-out acceleration. But with the optional sports-exhaust package, it sounds tremendous, emitting a deep and proper howl that gets heads turning at full throttle. A manual gearbox might be the preferred choice in a car such as this. But the PDK unit is brilliantly effective, especially when hooked up to the Cayman R's optional Sport Chrono package, which allows you to sharpen up the throttle response and shift times through the push of a button. It boasts proper shift paddles, too, not the fiddly buttons that Porsche has so far persisted with in the Cayman S. The reduction in weight combines with a tauter feel through the suspension to provide the Cayman R with a hardened character from the moment you set off. The Cayman R feels more athletic than the Cayman S, but there's enough compliance to make it a suitable for everyday driving--unlike, say, the 911 GT3. The changes Porsche engineers have brought to the chassis, including increased negative camber to the front wheels, result in heightened accuracy and an even more delicious feel to the steering. Few, if any, production cars deliver such direct and detailed communication. It is heavenly. With an almost perfect front-to-rear weight distribution and a center of gravity reduced beyond that of lesser versions of the Cayman, the R is wonderfully engaging and terrifically vice-free. The entire dynamic repertoire of the Cayman S has been improved upon. There's added eagerness upon turn-in, even less roll, a more secure feel from the rear end and simply sublime traction. The limits are so high, you need a track or a closed-off public road to explore them with any confidence. Do I want one? Yes, with the 17-gallon fuel tank, which is a no-cost option in Europe, please. Oh, and air conditioning. Because it includes satellite navigation, the radio needs to come on board, too. 2012 Porsche Cayman R On Sale: Now Base Price: $66,300 Drivetrain: 3.4-liter, 330-hp, 273-lb-ft H6; RWD, six-speed manual 0-60 MPH: 4.7 sec (manual trans) Curb Weight: 2,849 lb |
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