Porsche Cayman R

The German manufacturer is debuting a new version of the Cayman at this year’s LA Auto Show, and we’re talking about the Porsche Cayman R.

When compared to the Cayman S, the Porsche Cayman R is 55 Kg lighter, while in terms of performance, the 3.4-litre flat six-cylinder engine has been tuned to produce an additional 10 HP. This means the Porsche Cayman R packs 330 HP and when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, its 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 Km/h) acceleration time is of 5.0-seconds.

When featuring the 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission and the Sport Chrono Package, the Porsche Cayman R sprints from o to 62 mph even quicker, in 4.7 seconds.

Top speed with the manual transmission is 175 mph (282 km/h) or 174 mph (280 km/h) with the PDK and the car’s total weight is 1295 Kg.

The Porsche Cayman R has also received a sports suspension that is 20 mm lower than the one on the Cayman S and the car will go on sale towards the beginning of 2011.

The Porsche Cayman R price in UK will begin at 51,731 GBP.

Porsche press release :
* Lightweight edition of mid-engined Cayman coupe offers increased performance and agility
* 55 kg lighter than equivalent Cayman S model; more powerful 330 hp flat-six engine
* On sale February 2011, priced from £51,731
* Cayman has firm following among enthusiasts; over 7,000 sold since UK launch in autumn 2005
* Watch the Cayman R unveiling live from the Los Angeles Auto Show starting 18.55 on November 17 via www.porsche.com/cayman-r-live

Upon its launch in September 2005, the Porsche Cayman redefined the
concept of the mid-engined sports coupe, combining scintillating chassis
dynamics with characteristically sporting levels of responsiveness from
its flat-six engines. Now, with the introduction of the Cayman R,
Porsche has further developed the car by reducing weight, increasing
horsepower and raising agility and handling to new heights. The new
model becomes the third version in the Cayman range, joining the Cayman
and Cayman S.

Weighing 55 kg less than the equivalent Cayman S, and boasting the
most horsepower available in a mid-engined Porsche, the 330 hp Cayman R
has been created for one reason: pure, distilled driving dynamics. With
its highly-tuned sports suspension and vigilant attention to weight
savings, the new Cayman model offers a driving experience even more
precise than that of the acclaimed Cayman S.

Tracing its lineage back to the famous mid-engined 904 coupes of the
1960s, the Cayman R celebrates its world premiere at the Los Angeles
Auto Show on November 17, 2010.

Light and Powerful
The newest member of the mid-engined Cayman family features the highly
efficient 3.4-litre, flat six-cylinder Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) boxer
engine found in the Cayman S, but it has been tuned to produce an
additional 10 hp. With a six-speed manual transmission, the Cayman R
sprints from a stand-still to 62 mph in 5.0 seconds, two-tenths of a
second faster than the Cayman S. With the optional seven-speed
dual-clutch PDK (Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) transmission and the Sport
Chrono package, the exercise is reduced to 4.7 seconds. Top speed with
the manual transmission is up by 3 to 175 mph (282 km/h), 174 mph (280
km/h) with the PDK.

The main objective in the concept and execution of the Cayman R was
to improve the already energetic two-seater through a systematic
reduction in weight, thereby increasing performance, driving dynamics
and agility. With an unladen weight of 1295 kg. Porsche engineers were
able to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of 255 hp per tonne, and 250 hp
per tonne with the PDK.

More from Less
The greatest savings come from the use of lightweight components and
stripping back equipment levels to those associated with driving
performance. In addition to the removal of the air conditioning and
stereo, the driver-focused Cayman R utilises a unique, slightly smaller
54-litre fuel tank and a sports suspension system that lowers the Cayman
R by 20 mm, helping lower the centre of gravity.

The Cayman R also comes as standard with a limited slip differential
to optimise cornering grip, and lightweight 19” alloy wheels (first seen
on the Boxster Spyder) that reduce weight by 5kg. Lightweight aluminium
door skins from the 911 Turbo and GT3, carbon fibre sports bucket seats
and the distinctive interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS also
contribute to the weight reduction.

From the outside, the distinctive Cayman Aerokit sports styling –
with fixed rear spoiler in contrasting colour – sets the Cayman R apart,
and black-framed halogen headlights, contrasting side mirrors and
decorative “PORSCHE” side-stripes bring further differentiation. For
customers seeking to stand out further from the crowd a new option of
Peridot metallic paint is available (as seen in the photos.)

The Porsche Cayman R goes on sale in the UK in February 2011, priced from £51,731 ¹.
Included in the purchase price is the invitation for customers to
explore the dynamic attributes of their Cayman R and develop their own
skills behind the wheel, courtesy of a Driving Experience Programme at
the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone.

The origins of R
Historically, special Porsche models with optimised sporting performance were identified by the moniker ‘R’, for Racing.
The most revered model of this type is the 911 R of 1967. This
specialised, lightweight edition of the 911 coupe had a 210 hp flat six
engine shared with the Carrera 6 sports racer and weighed just 830 kg.

Just 19 examples were built.

Most recently, the 911 GT3 ‘R’ has been built for racing in sports car championships around the world.

¹ Price includes VAT at 20%

Porsche Cayman R video :