(2012) Porsche Cayman R – Ultimate Guide
Stuttgart. The Porsche alphabet reserves the letter R for very special sports cars: R for responsive and refined – but most especially for racy. The new Cayman R combines all these attributes without compromise. 55 kilograms (121 lb) lighter and with ten horsepower more than the Cayman S, the new mid-engine coupé from Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is designed for spectacular road behaviour. With its specially adapted sports chassis, it provides an even more precise driving experience than the Cayman S. The Cayman R makes its world debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The new mid-engine coupé is powered by a tuned-up 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine developing 330 hp (243 kW). In the standard configuration it transmits its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox that propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.0 seconds. Or there is the option of the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) that reduces its acceleration time to 4.9 seconds. For even more impressive sprinting performance, the Cayman R can be supplied with one of the optional Sport Chrono packages, taking it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds.
The new mid-engine coupé is capable of a top speed of 282 km/h (175 mph) with manual gearbox, or 280 km/h (174 mph) with PDK. Its NEDC fuel consumption is 9.7 l/100 km (29.12 mpg imp.) with six-speed gearbox and 9.3 l/100 km (30.37 mpg imp.) with PDK. The main aim during the design of the Cayman R was to improve the two-seater even further in its performance, driving dynamics and agility through consistent weight reduction.
With a DIN unladen weight of just 1,295 kilograms (2855 lb) the Porsche engineers were able to reduce the power-to-weight ratio of the coupé with standard manual gearbox to 3.9 kilograms (8.6 lb) per horsepower, with the PDK version weighing 4.0 kilograms (8.8 lb) per horsepower. The largest savings were achieved through the use of lightweight components and doing without convenience equipment. As for the 911 GT3/GT3 RS and Boxster Spyder, an optional lithium-ion lightweight construction battery is also available. In addition, the top model in the mid-engine coupé is equipped with the lightest 19 inch wheels the entire Porsche range can offer. The complete rim set weighs less than 40 kilograms.
The Cayman R’s purpose and purist character can be seen at first glance. The extended silhouette of the bodywork, which has been lowered by 20 millimetres (0.79 in) compared to the Cayman S, combined with the distinctive fixed rear spoiler, the high-quality silver-painted wheels and numerous sporting highlights on both the interior and exterior, ensures an individual appearance. The black-framed headlights, black exterior mirrors and the “PORSCHE” lettering on the side – in contrasting black or silver, depending on the body colour – take design cues from classic Porsche racing cars.
Precisely this lettering was the trademark of the first Porsche with the “R” designation, the 911 R of 1967. It was created for racing sport use in a small series of 19 cars. The “R” was a prototype based on the standard coupé with a 210 horsepower Carrera 6 engine and, thanks to its many plastic components and extremely sparse equipment, weighed only 830 kilograms (1830 lb).
Price & Value
| Options & Price | 2011 Cayman S |
2012 Cayman R |
| Vehicle Base Price | $61,500 | $66,300 |
| P45 Design Sport Package | $6,200 | -R- |
| 19″ forged lightweight wheels | in P45 | -R- |
| Mirrors, side vents, wheels, model designation in contrasting color | in P45 | -R- |
| Front and Rear Porsche Aerokit | in P45 | -R- |
| Sport Bucket Seats | $2,990 | -R- |
| Limited Slip Differential | $950 | -R- |
| Side Stripe with Model Designation | $775 | -R- |
| Aluminum Doors | N/A | -R- |
| 20mm lower suspension with stiffer springs/bars | N/A | -R- |
| 330 BHP without modifying the car | N/A | -R- |
| Dash Trim Strip painted in Exterior Color | $520 | -R- |
| Seat Belts in Guards Red | $340 | -R- |
| Air Vents painted Sporty Black | $905 | -R- |
| Rear Center Console painted in Exterior Color | $730 | -R- |
| Air Conditioning with Auto Climate Control | $650 | $1,760 |
| Sound Package Plus | -S- | $700 |
| Grand Total: | $75,560 | $68,760 |
Weight Saving
| Savings Area | Weight Loss |
| Aluminum Doors and Light Weight Door Panels | 33 lbs. |
| Composite Sport Bucket Seats | 26 lbs. |
| Air Conditioning | 26 lbs. |
| Other | 16 lbs. |
| Light Weight Drop Forged Wheels | 11 lbs. |
| Radio and Speakers | 7 lbs. |
| Removal of Storage Compartments | 2 lbs. |
| Total Weight Savings: | 121 lbs. |
Colors
| Body Color | Contrast Color | |
| Black | Silver | |
| Peridot Metallic | X | |
| Guards Red | X | |
| Speed Yellow | X | |
| Carrara White | X | |
| Platinum Silver Metallic | X | |
| Cream White | X | |
| GT Silver Metallic | X | |
| Black | X | |
| Basalt Black | X | |
| Dark Blue Metallic | X | |
| Macadamia Metallic | X | |
| Meteor Grey Metallic | X | |
| Amethyst | X | |
| Ruby Red Metallic | X | |
Comparison: Cayman S vs. Cayman R
| Cayman S | Cayman R | |
| Base Price: | $61,500 | $66,300 |
| Engine | 3.4 Liter Direct Fuel Injection 320 bhp at 7,200 RPM, 273 lb.-ft. |
3.4 Liter Direct Fuel Injection 330 bhp at 7,400 RPM, 273 lb.-ft. |
| Wheels – Tires (F): Wheels – Tires (R): |
8.0″ x 18″ – 235/40 ZR18 9.0″ x 18″ – 265/40 ZR18 |
8.5″ x 19″ – 235/35 ZR19
10″ x22 align= /1div align=#EEEEEE size= 19″ – 265/35 ZR19 |
| Spoiler: | Automatically Extending / Retracting spoiler in body color |
Fixed Aero Kit Spoiler, struts body color, wing in contrasting color, front aero spoiler lips
|
| Suspension: | Standard fixed rate or 10mm lower PASM | 20mm lower tuned Sport Suspension |
| Instrument Dials: | Flip/Flop Black on backlit Light Grey | Speedy Black faces without Instrument Cluster Cowl |
| Sound System: | Sound Package Plus, 180 Watts, 9 speakers | None |
| Exhaust & Exhaust Tip: | 2 into 1 with Dual Opening |
Exclusive Tuned Performance Exhaust with Dual Branch Twin Tailpipe
|
| Curb Weight (Manual / PDK): |
2,976 lbs. / 3,031 lbs. | 2,866 lbs. / 2,988 lbs. |
| Coefficient of Aerodynamic Drag: | 0.29 6 Speed / 0.30 PDK | 0.30 6 Speed & PDK |
| Top Speed (6 Speed / PDK): | 172 MPH / 171 MPH | 175 MPH / 175 MPH |
| Claimed 0-60 Time: (6Spd./PDK/PDK+SC): | 4.9 / 4.8 / 4.6 seconds | 4.7 / 4.6 / 4.3 seconds |
| Fuel Consumption (6 Speed Manual): | 19 City / 26 Highway | 19 City / 27 Highway |
| Fuel Consumption (7 Speed PDK): | 20 City / 29 Highway | 20 City / 29 Highway |
| Fuel Capacity: | 16.9 Gallons | US Model: 16.9 G / ROW: 14.3 G |
Pictures
