RE: Driven: Porsche Cayman R

RE: Driven: Porsche Cayman R

Monday 28th February 2011

2011 Porsche Cayman R (987) | Review

An extreme performance badge revived, but in name only?



Ever since the Cayman was launched in 2005, there's been a persistent clamour for a faster, leaner, harder version. Given the base car's talents it seemed an opportunity too good to miss, but the debate wasn't so much whether it was possible, but more whether there was the will to launch a car that would surely threaten at least the lower levels of the 911 range.

Porsche has made us all wait for it, but finally there's a car that might quench that desire: the new Cayman R. Until now, the rarely-used 'R' badge has signified an extreme racing Porsche, whether for the original recipient in 1967 - the first stripped out, hardcore 911 - or with the current 'GT3 class' competition 911, the GT3-R. But for this Cayman, Porsche has resurrected the 'R' badge to sit below the RS moniker applied to 911s in the company's performance hierarchy - and that's an important point when you're setting your preconceptions of what this car will be.

In basic terms, the R is 55kg lighter and 10hp more powerful than a Cayman S, thereby improving the power to weight ratio to go with the chassis changes that have been made. The weight loss - taking the DIN weight down to 1,295kg - is achieved through the fitment of the aluminium doors from the GT3/Turbo saving 15kg; the lack of air conditioning saving 12kg (although basic a/c is a no-cost option); fixed back lightweight bucket seats saving 12kg; very lightweight 19" wheels shedding 5kg (shared with the Boxster Spyder); no radio saving 3kg (although again, the basic sound system is a no-cost option) and various other minor items - RS door pull straps, no cup holders, no door pockets, a 10-litre smaller fuel tank - save the final 7kg.


The extra horsepower is thanks to a large diameter exhaust manifold and an ecu remap, while the front and rear spoilers reduce aerodynamic lift by 15% on the front and 40% on the rear. Finally, the suspension has been lowered by 20mm, with firmer springs and more negative camber - clearly visible when you look at the car - and you get a limited slip differential included in the price.

Porsche's PDK gearbox is an option - with rethought algorithms - and in Sport Plus mode it works well on a circuit if that's your thing. But it's still awkward at times on the road, and on a car such as this not only does it bring a 25kg weight penalty, but it also takes the driver one step away from the action. Driver involvement - particularly as the gearbox and clutch are such a pleasure to use - counts for more in a car like the Cayman R than the ability to engage launch control.

You don't need to drive far in the R to form a clear impression of its character. It's one of those cars that you just get on terms with so quickly, its fizzing, sabre-sharp flat six right there over your shoulder offering superb throttle response and a purposefully guttural induction note. With 330hp on tap the car can reach 60mph from rest in under 5sec (4.5 in ultimate PDK launch mode) but the beauty of the performance is the accessibility of it at relatively sane speeds.


Predictably, the R rides more firmly than a Cayman S, but first impressions (admittedly on mainly smooth roads) suggest it's far from uncomfortable. And the benefit, of course, is a car that responds more keenly, feels more agile, more alert. The alcantara trimmed 'wheel is utterly faithful in is accuracy and offers excellent road feel: the R will move around beneath you on say, dusty roads, but in the dry at least, it's not a threatening car, principally due to the communication it offers and also the sensation that all the mass is mounted low and centrally between the wheels. On a track it's benign, always on your side even with the stability system switched off, and with good stamina. The ceramic brakes are an expensive option as ever, but you really value their power and resilience, not that the standard iron set are poor: they need a lot of abuse before the pedal starts to go a little long.

So, some key questions: is the 'R' not hardcore enough - almost too 'easy' to drive? That's been a criticism of Caymans in the past from some quarters, and while I don't personally agree with that, if you're looking for a really formidable challenge - something a bit tougher to master or power-led - you won't find that kind of car here. It's an easy-going little coupe, really: fairly light on the fuel (29.1mpg combined), the C02 (228) and with two 'boots' (front and rear), very useable.

Could Porsche have gone further with this car? Yes, certainly they could. Talking to Jan Roth, project leader for the Cayman line, it's clear that the car has been sharpened to a clearly defined point. For example, Macrolon was considered for the rear window like the GT3 RS, but as the material isn't legal for the US market the cost and volume numbers just didn't add up. Put a/c and a stereo back in it and the diet program suddenly doesn't look too clever.


So no, this isn't the RS Cayman some have been dreaming about, but for only an additional £4,124 over the 'S' (list price in the UK is £51,731 for the R) you get a car that asks for little in the way of compromise but rewards that bit more, goes that bit harder and includes plenty of desirable kit.

Maybe the badge is wrong - maybe it should be a 'GTS' like the recent wide-arch 997 variant, or perhaps more appropriately, the return of the 'Club Sport' line.

But none of that makes it any less of a loveable car, or a great drive. And if you're on a budget, it makes it that much easier to snap up an early Cayman S and set about creating your own version.






Author
Discussion

SpeedYellow

Original Poster:

2,533 posts

226 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
If only they'd called it the Club Sport and kept the 'R' for some real specials it would be great!

Beirut Taxi

6,627 posts

213 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Does the R name really matter though?

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest if I were buying one.

soad

32,825 posts

175 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
I'd call it more of a GTS perhaps.
Still, i'd be happy to drive one

MB 1

523 posts

184 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Shame they didn't put the GT3 throttle body on it and give it a 40 bhp hike.

And the point about buying a used 3.4 and tweaking it is a good one.

But... having been in a Boxster Spyder and being extremely impressed, I suspect this is going to be very similar in how it drives - and that's a good thing.

So I see this as the Spyder version for the Cayman.

Question is wether to add an extra 5k (assuming an optioned R is nearer 60k) and go for an Evora S, which would punish the Cayman smile

jacjac

137 posts

223 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
I've never been a huge Porsche fan, but that looks like one I could live with. Looks great in white with those black wheels.

mikEsprit

827 posts

185 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
"The extra horsepower (10 hp) is thanks to a large diameter exhaust manifold and an ecu remap"

So why would another Cayman ever be sold with the original setup if that's all it takes to get 10 hp more?

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
mikEsprit said:
"The extra horsepower (10 hp) is thanks to a large diameter exhaust manifold and an ecu remap"

So why would another Cayman ever be sold with the original setup if that's all it takes to get 10 hp more?
I suspect the ECU remap is either just to account for the different breathing of the engine out of the larger exhaust, or perhaps (but less likely) a sacrfice of driveability or mpg to achieve more bhp. As for why every Cayman doesn't have a larger diameter exhaust, Porsche generally build their standard cars to be very refined and quiet and speed.

MDT48

389 posts

193 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
MB 1 said:
Shame they didn't put the GT3 throttle body on it and give it a 40 bhp hike.
Yep, that is a shame, but that's exactly what I'll be doing once my warranty runs out. And perhaps stripping a bit more weight too smile

That said, having driven a Spyder for a week, if the Cayman R handles as well as that or, here's hoping, even better, I'll be a happy bunny.

Mustow

182 posts

190 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
It's a shame that Porsche are frightened of losing 911 sales by making the Cayman too good. This is the nicest looking car in their range and they should make an extreme GT3 or RS version.

MB 1

523 posts

184 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
I was just thinking... Cayman Sport for £30 ish k and a few tweaks?

LindsayMac

569 posts

201 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Real disappointment that Porsche has still not used their best handling production car and given it the power it is screaming out for. I ran a Cayman S for 18 months, great car seriously underrated.

Oh for an full on RS model.

Mikeyboy

5,018 posts

234 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
I think this will be a great car to drive, but as the article says, you could get an early car do a lot of, maybe more of the "improvements" and still have about 10k in your pocket for what this costs.

Still with a lottery win...

wackojacko

8,581 posts

189 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Very nice....... big fan of the Cayman.

adycav

7,615 posts

216 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Mustow said:
It's a shame that Porsche are frightened of losing 911 sales by making the Cayman too good.
I often see this written and heard it said, but I've yet to hear a convincing argument as to why this is true.

A more powerful Cayman would likely cost as much as a basic Carrera so they will still make the money!

I doubt a restaurateur cares less if you order the meat or fish, as long as you are sat at one of his/her tables.

Mikeyboy

5,018 posts

234 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
adycav said:
I often see this written and heard it said, but I've yet to hear a convincing argument as to why this is true.

A more powerful Cayman would likely cost as much as a basic Carrera so they will still make the money!

I doubt a restaurateur cares less if you order the meat or fish, as long as you are sat at one of his/her tables.
Its all about marketing and profit margins. It is a struggle for one thing to suggest to people that a 100k 911 GT3 is in a different league to a 50k Cayman if they have a similar performance and experience, people will simply buy a Cayman. And while the GT3 may not be a great example due to its unique engine the 911 will make more profit than a Cayman and so you don't want people going for the cheaper option or otherwise you'll go out of business.
Not sure I explained that very well.

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Makes the Audi RS3 look very expensive despite the additional seats. Actually, it even makes an R8 look expensive.

Marf

22,907 posts

240 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
wackojacko said:
Very nice....... big fan of the Cayman.
Ditto.

adycav

7,615 posts

216 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Mikeyboy said:
adycav said:
I often see this written and heard it said, but I've yet to hear a convincing argument as to why this is true.

A more powerful Cayman would likely cost as much as a basic Carrera so they will still make the money!

I doubt a restaurateur cares less if you order the meat or fish, as long as you are sat at one of his/her tables.
Its all about marketing and profit margins. It is a struggle for one thing to suggest to people that a 100k 911 GT3 is in a different league to a 50k Cayman if they have a similar performance and experience, people will simply buy a Cayman. And while the GT3 may not be a great example due to its unique engine the 911 will make more profit than a Cayman and so you don't want people going for the cheaper option or otherwise you'll go out of business.
Not sure I explained that very well.
If Porsche were to make a Cayman that rivalled the GT3 I doubt it would cost much different.

It doesn't seem to be an issue for other manufacturers. Nobody seems to talk of the M3 coupe stealing sales from the M6 for example.

Plenty of people will want the more expensive option even if the cheaper alternative is almost or actually as good, precisely because it is the most expensive.



MB 1

523 posts

184 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Can't stop looking at those pics, it really does look the business (good photgraphy too!)

LukeBird

17,170 posts

208 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Very nice!
I think given my love of convertibles I'd sooner have the Boxster Spyder though, if only to enjoy the noise more! smile