(2008) Porsche Cayman S Design Edition 1 – Ultimate Guide
In the middle of 2008, Porsche introduced the limited edition Cayman Design Edition 1. The Design Edition 1, also know as the DE1, was a Cayman S packaged with many exclusive cosmetic options intended to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Porsche Design. This car was clearly designed for the Porsche enthusiasts who wanted to own a very special Cayman. Buyers of the DE1 received a special briefcase that contained some pretty cool Porsche Design merchandise, including a Design Edition Chronograph Wrist Watch, Sun Glasses, Ballpoint Pen, Pocket Knife, Key Chain and the key to the DE1.
The car was available in two colors. Black, and Black. It was dressed with special DE1 side graphics and triple deck stripes in Charcoal Grey with the Design Edition scripting. The Cayman DE1 came with 19″ Turbo Wheels mounted on 5mm spacers and the chassis sat on the PASM suspension, bringing it 10mm lower and giving it an aggressive look.
Inside, the DE1 had some very special treatments. Alcantara was used for the first time in a Cayman package, on the steering wheel, shifter, hand brake and headliner. The instrument cluster received a special color and font treatment to make it look more like a Porsche Design Chronograph. The Cayman Design Edition 1 had a base price of $69,900, which was $10,800 more than a Cayman S. But the Cayman DE1 included many options that added to its value, including:
| Option | Value (2008) |
| Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) | $1,990 |
| 19″ Turbo Wheels, 8″F/9.5″R | $2,440 |
| 5mm Wheel Spacers | $490 |
| Chrome Sport Tailpipe | $570 |
| Red Taillights | $600* |
| 3 Spoke Sport Steering wheel in Alcantara | $1,105 |
| Gear Shift and Handbrake Lever in Alcantara | $1,880 |
| Porsche crest embossed into head rests | $270 |
| Roof Liner in Alcantara | $1,180 |
| Rear Center Console Painted Black | $730 |
| Stainless Steel Door Guards | $415 |
| Options Value: | $11,670 |
Considering that a Porsche Design Sport Chronograph watch itself can cost north of $5,000, if these things appeal to you, the DE1 was a pretty good value. Because only 777 of these were made worldwide, (240 of which came to America), finding one in the used market isn’t going to be very easy and values should reflect this.
This car was clearly designed for the Porsche owner that was most interested in prestige and exclusivity. The car didn’t contain any performance enhancements over a 2008 Cayman S, but it did contain many exclusive cosmetic enhancements and it came with some pretty cool Porsche Design luxury accessories. Once again, showing that there is a Cayman for every type.
Pictures
Press Release
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, is to expand its mid-engine coupé model range with the launch, in November 2007, of the Cayman S “Porsche Design Edition 1”, a limited-edition special series. Porsche has incorporated various design disciplines into this very special mid-engine coupé: the black exterior emphasizes the purist nature of the 295-bhp sports car and, at the same time, is a nod to Porsche Design and the famous Chronograph 1s designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche precisely 35 years previously.
This look, cultivated by Porsche Design, imparts additional luxury and class on the Cayman S: the black leather and Alcantara upholstery harmonizes with refined details such as the instrument dials, the layout of which reflects that of all Porsche Design chronographs. Even the center console, dashboard, and door trims glisten in black, while the three-spoke sports steering wheel, the gear lever, the handbrake grip, and the roof lining are clothed in non-slip black Alcantara. The Porsche logo (crest) is embossed on the headrests.
The vehicle’s technical features are equally sophisticated: beneath the ten-millimeter-lower body, standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) actively controls the hardness of the shock absorbers and it features a special Sport mode that can be activated at the touch of a button for a really dynamic driving feel. Five-millimeter spacers together with 19-inch turbo wheels give the Cayman S “Porsche Design Edition 1” a presence that is reinforced yet further by the 235/35 ZR 19 tires at the front axle and the 265/35 ZR 19 tires at the rear.
The Porsche Design Studio, created by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche
35 years ago, has rapidly become a top international name for industrial design, luxury items, and consumer goods. Top-class functionality and esthetics glisten in the new “Porsche Design Edition 1” collection – in black or black matt, of course.
The Cayman S “Porsche Design Edition 1” standard equipment thus includes an elegant briefcase containing the Flat Six Chronograph, a pocket knife, a pair of sunglasses, a pen, and a key ring – all in black, even the knife blade, in keeping with the vehicle’s styling. The number of Cayman S “Porsche Design Edition 1” units is to be as exclusive as this series-production luxury package: only 777 are being built, and each will be identifiable from a badge on the lid of the glove box.
The market launch of this black Cayman with exclusive Porsche Design equipment, including briefcase, will begin in Germany in November 2007 and in the United States in January 2008. The base price is 58,600 Euros and, factoring in 19 percent value-added tax, the price in Germany will be 69,942 Euros.
