Typically when spy images surface of a car testing there's a great deal of speculation about it; could it be using a new engine? Suspension tweaks? Or perhaps the elaborate external camouflage is simply a ruse to hide a new interior.
Pics not great for now, car could be
There's no such mystery here. It's a Cayman that's sitting lower than standard with larger brakes and a ruddy massive wing. This is the fast Cayman all have been clamouring for since 2005. Or it's the very height of deception and this is Porsche's four-cylinder Cayman mule. We hope not.
These images are from our colleagues at Autocar, in case you hadn't already surmised. They have suggested a pared back cabin will feature which would continue the ethos seen in the previous R, and the pics appear to show some fairly racy seats.
The biggest grumble many had with the last R was that another 10hp over an S wasn't deemed appropriate for such an evocative badge. It would seem Porsche are ready to answer those critics, with the 3.8-litre engine from the 991 Carrera S believed to be replacing the 3.4 in the Cayman S. Immediately 325hp would become 400hp; even if an uber Cayman was tweaked to protect the 911, somewhere in the region of 380hp is surely very exciting indeed.
A 3.8-litre Cayman? Yes please!
Despite perhaps carrying a misleading badge, the 987
Cayman R
was an excellent car. That's now reflected in the used values, with the costliest versions available
at £45K
and even the most affordable just
under £38K
grey manual
The stance of this prototype has to make production. The lower ride height with these wheels (where are they from?) and a few aero tweaks (see the bigger intakes and new splitter at the front) take the Cayman onto another plane of aggressiveness. Can such a wild spoiler make really make it to the showroom?
Then there's the PDK question. The last Cayman R was offered with both gearbox options but of course we now have the PDK-only GT3 and many buyers plumping for the auto option. Right now it's impossible to know. We'll be sure to follow this one closely as the story develops. It could be a corker.