New Porsche Cayman

Today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche proudly unveils the third generation Cayman. The new Cayman aims once more to set the class benchmark for driving performance, its longer wheelbase, all-new chassis and lower weight further optimising the established dynamic credentials of the mid-engined sports coupe. Since its debut in 2005, the Cayman has earned a particular reputation as a driver’s car. For the latest model, the two-seater has been newly-developed from the ground up and – after the 911 Carrera and Boxster roadster – is the third sports car model series from Porsche to feature innovative lightweight body design. Consequently, the new Cayman is up to 30 kg lighter than the prior model, depending on the specific version and equipment, and offers up to 15 per cent greater fuel efficiency- despite its increased engine output and driving performance. Design: New proportions, prominent lines The new Cayman is more distinctive than ever. Its proportions are new, and yet it is clearly a Porsche sports coupe; an extended wheelbase with shorter overhangs and 18- or 19-inch diameter wheels with larger rolling circumference are identifying visual characteristics of the car’s more enhanced driving performance. Its styling is marked by precise lines and razor-sharp sculpted edges. They emphasise the car’s low, extended silhouette with the windscreen shifted forward and the roof line that reaches far back. Typical of the more advanced styling is the shoulder line, which runs from the wheel arches, flaring strongly upwards towards the rear side panels. The door mirrors are now positioned near the top shoulder. Especially expressive and characteristic are the dynamic recesses in the doors, which guide induction air into the distinctive scoops on the rear side panels and from there directly to the engine. These offer the most prominent visual signal of the car’s mid-engined layout. From the front, the new Cayman is marked by its dominant cooling air intakes, which increase in size towards the sides of the car. Integrated into these, far outboard, are the round front lights with four-point daytime running lights or position lights, serving as a further unmistakable identifying feature of the new Cayman. Just as unique to the new generation of the sports coupe is the rear boot-lid made of aluminium and the rear section with its wrap-around edges. At the upper edge of the rear window, an LED brake light spanning the entire width of the glass is easily spotted by traffic behind. Mounted directly to the tailgate is the thin blade of the rear spoiler, which – in contrast to that of the Boxster – is higher and deploys at a steeper angle. The overall appearance of the Cayman is more independent than before, offering greater differentiation compared with the previous model. Sporting engines with ample torque Porsche offers two exceptional flat six ‘boxer’ engines in the Cayman, a 2.7-litre and 3.4-litre, which both combine ample torque with high power in the upper engine rev range. One consequence of this high-revving concept is that although the 2.7-litre has a 0.2-litre reduction in engine displacement compared with the previous 2.9-litre unit, it still develops a higher power output. With its specific power of 101.6 hp/litre, the 2.7-litre engine is the first Cayman to break the magic 100 hp per litre displacement barrier for sports car engines. Both engines now produce their maximum nominal power at 7,400 rpm; it was 7,200 rpm previously. Not only were peak powers increased by 10 hp to 275 hp (202 kW) in the Cayman and by five hp to 325 hp (239 kW) in the S-model; their two power curves also lie above those of the previous engines, which means that overall the six-cylinder engines produce more power at identical engine revs. The new engines draw their air from both the left and right air scoops. In the 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine of the Cayman S, a switching resonance flap improves cylinder fill, providing high torque at low revs as well as a uniform torque curve. Both engines feature variable valve timing and lift (VarioCam Plus) on the intake side for optimal timing in charge changes. The new Cayman engines: an overviewCayman 2.7-litre flat-six cylinder engine with 275 hp (202 kW); rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission, optional seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK); acceleration 0 – 62 mph 5.7 sec, with PDK in 5.6 sec (5.4 sec with Sport Chrono package); top speed 165 mph, with PDK 164 mph; fuel consumption (NEDC) 34.4 mpg, CO2 192 g/km; with PDK 36.7 mpg, CO2 180 g/km. Cayman S 3.4-litre flat-six cylinder engine with 325 hp (239 kW); rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission, optional seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK); acceleration 0 – 62 mph 5.0 sec, with PDK 4.9 sec (4.7 sec with Sport Chrono package); top speed 176 mph, with PDK 174 mph; fuel consumption (NEDC) 32.1 mpg, CO2 206 g/km; with PDK 35.3 mpg, CO2 188 g/km. From Motorin News