AUTOS: Porsche Launches New Cayman

New Models

AUTOS: Porsche Launches New Cayman

The second-generation mid-engine sports coupe with slightly larger dimensions, more power and other upgrades is unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

AutoWeek | http://www.autoweek.com/ | Posted November 28, 2012 Los Angeles, CA

The new Porsche Cayman comes on a redesigned platform with improved weight distribution and slightly larger wheelbase and track. (Photo: Porsche)

The renewal of Porsche's sports-car lineup continues with the unveiling Wednesday of a larger and lighter second-generation Cayman at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The mid-engine coupe, which adopts a redesigned platform offering improved weight distribution as well as a series of weight-saving measures, is planned to go on sale in North America next spring. Sticker prices are $53,550 with shipping charges for the base Cayman and $64,750 for the more powerful Cayman S.

The Cayman is a sister car to the Boxster. Both will come from Porsche's plant in Zuffenhausen, Germany, and if demand warrants, the old Karmann factory in Osnabruck.

Two versions of the Cayman will be available, the standard model (left) and the higher-performance Cayman S. (Photo: Porsche)

The new Cayman receives slightly different proportions to provide for a larger cabin. Length is up by 1.4 inches while height drops by 0.4 inch compared with its predecessor, at 172.4 inches and 51 inches respectively. Width increases but only incrementally at 70.9 inches.

The reduction in height is claimed to provide for a lower center of gravity, which Porsche claims is at the heart of improvements in the Cayman's overall dynamic ability. Further highlights include a torque vectoring function and electronic differential to aid traction.

The Cayman continues to share its styling with the Boxster. As with its roadster sibling, the new coupe adopts an edgier appearance than its predecessor with tauter surfacing and crisper feature lines, including a distinctive swage running through the doors and into larger cooling ducts ahead of the rear wheel arches.

As on all recent Porsche models, the exterior mirrors are mounted on the doors rather than within the glasshouse. The wheelhouses have also increased in size, allowing Porsche to fit the range-topping Cayman S with standard 19-inch wheels and offer 20-inch rims as optional equipment.

The Cayman interior has been improved and has a longer cabin for more legroom and luggage space in back. (Photo: Porsche)

Inside, there is a higher-quality interior. The two-seat layout remains but a longer cabin provides for greater levels of seat adjustment and improved stowage space. Porsche claims a nominal 5.3 cubic feet of luggage space in the nose section and 5.7 cubic feet at the rear in the space above the engine.

As with the Boxster, the new Cayman will be sold with the choice of two horizontally opposed six-cylinder engines: a new 2.7-liter unit at the entry level and a reworked version of the existing 3.4-liter powerplant in the initial range-topping model.

Buyers can also choose between two gearboxes: a standard six-speed manual and optional seven-speed dual-clutch unit, which includes a coasting function that idles the engine and disengages the clutch on a trailing throttle for added fuel savings.

The 2.7-liter unit replaces the older 2.9-liter engine, producing an additional nine horsepower but seven pound-feet less torque, with 271 horsepower and 214 pound-feet. It is sufficient to propel the base 2,888-pound Cayman from 0 to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and to a top speed of 165 mph, while delivering combined city/highway fuel economy of 28.7 mpg with the six-speed manual, according to Porsche.

The dual-clutch gearbox extends performance and reduces fuel economy, with official claims of 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, top speed of 164 mph, and 30.5 mpg.

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