Porsche Cayman

Infobox Automobile


name = Porsche Cayman
aka = Porsche 987c
manufacturer = Porsche
parent_company =
class = Sports car
production = 2005–
assembly = Uusikaupunki, Finland (Valmet Automotive)
predecessor = Porsche 968
layout = RMR layout
related = Porsche 987
Porsche 997
body_style = 2-door Coupé
engine = 2.7 L flat-6, Convert|245|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
3.4 L flat-6, Convert|295|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
height = Auto mm|1305|1
width = Auto mm|1801|1
wheelbase = Auto mm|2416|1
length = Auto mm|4372|1
weight = 1340 kg (2954 lb)
transmission = 5-speed automatic
5-speed manual
6-speed manual
designer = Pinky LaiThe Porsche Cayman is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive 2-seat sports car produced by Porsche AG of Germany. First launched in the 2006 model year , the Cayman is a coupé derived from Porsche's second generation Boxster convertible. Like the Boxster, the Cayman is assembled in Finland for Porsche by Valmet Automotive. Porsche's Deputy Chairman, Holger P. Harter confirmed that their contract with Valmet Automotive will end 2012, and Cayman's production will be outsourced to Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik of Graz, Austria. (Panorama, 2008) cite web | url = http://www.metso.com/news/newsdocuments.nsf/webnewsdocprintview/74d6086817f9e775c22574740036862b?opendocument&ch=chmetsowebeng&id=74d6086817f9e775c22574740036862b& | title = Valmet Automotive's current assembly contract with Porsche to come to an end in 2012 | accessdate = 2008-08-04 | author = Kati Renvall | date = 2008-06-26 | publisher = Metso Corporation ]

Development

After two years of development, the first model of the coupé to be released was the Cayman S (type 987.120). Photographs and technical details were released in May 2005, but the public unveiling did not take place until the September Frankfurt Motor Show. The S suffix (an acronym for Sport [cite web
title=What makes a Porsche a Porsche
url=http://sharlyfield.officejake.com/whatmakesaporscheaporsche.pdf
work=Porsche Marketing
accessdate=June 18
accessyear=2008|format=PDF] or Special [cite web|title=Snappy Genes |url=http://www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/christophorusmagazine/archive/archive2005/october-november/ |work=Christophorus Magazine|accessdate=February 19|accessyear=2007] ) indicated that this was a higher performance version of a then unreleased normal model. That model, the Cayman (987.110), went on sale in July 2006. A motorsport-tuned model, the Cayman RS, is rumored to have been tested at the Nürburgring that same year. [cite web|title=Porsche Cayman RS in the works?|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/porsche-cayman-rs-in-the-works/ |work=Autoblog|accessdate=February 9|accessyear=2007]

The Cayman coupé (project 987c) and the second generation Boxster convertible (project 987) share the same mid-engined platform and many components, including the front fenders and trunk lid, side doors, headlights, tailights and forward portion of the interior. The design of the Cayman's body incorporates styling cues from two classic Porsches; the 550 Coupé and the 904 Coupé. [cite web|title=2006 Porsche Cayman S|url=http://www.sport-cars.org/articles/porsche/porsche-cayman-s.php |work=sport-cars.org|accessdate=February 9|accessyear=2007] [cite web|title=Test Drive: 2007 Porsche Cayman ‘S’ |url=http://www.champweb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=115&Itemid=62 |work=Champweb.net |accessdate=February 9|accessyear=2007] Unlike the Boxster, the Cayman has a large hatchback for access to luggage areas on top and in back of the engine cover. The suspension design is fundamentally the same as that of the Boxster, but features revised settings appropriate to the increase in chassis stiffness resulting from the Cayman's fixed roof.

The 3.4 litre flat-6 boxer engine (M97.21) in the Cayman S is derived from the 3.2 litre powerplant (M96.26) that was used in the Boxster S, but features cylinder heads from the Porsche 997 S's 3.8 litre motor (M97.01) which have the VarioCam Plus inlet valve timing and lift system. A less powerful but more fuel efficient version, the 2.7 litre M97.20, powers the base model. The use of these new powerplants exclusively in Caymans ended in MY 2007 when Porsche upgraded the the Boxster (987.310) and Boxster S (987.320). [cite web|title=First Drive: 2007 Porsche Boxster S |url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=116535?imw=Y |work=Inside Line|accessdate=February 9|accessyear=2007]

A 5-speed manual transaxle is standard on the normal Cayman (G87.01), while a 6-speed manual (Getrag 466) is the default for the S (G87.21) and an option on the normal (A87.20). An electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transaxle (Tiptronic) is also available on the S (A87.21) and the non-S version (A87.02). Other options include active shock absorbers (ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH's "DampTronic", rebadged as "PASM" by Porsche), ceramic disc brakes ("PCCB"), xenon headlights (Hella's "Bi-Xenon") and an electronically controlled sport mode ("Sport Chrono Package").

Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1

It is a model designed by Porsche Design, commemorating 35th anniversary of Porsche Design. The all black car features black leather and Alcantara upholstery, black center console, dashboard, and door trims, black Alcantara steering wheel, the gear lever, the handbrake grip, and the roof lining, standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), 19-inch 911 Turbo wheels with 235/35 ZR 19 front and 265/35 ZR 19 rear tires. Body is lowered by 10mm. Standard equipment 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.

777 vehicles were produced as 2008 models. It went on sale on November 2007 in Germany, followed by the US in January 2008. Base price is 58,600 Euros. [ [http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/14/blackout-porsche-unveils-limited-edition-cayman-s-porsche-desig/ Blackout: Porsche unveils limited-edition Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1] ]

Cayman S Sport

Porsche also announced the production of limited Cayman S Sport, to be available on October 2008 as a 2009 model. [ [http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/porsche_file/2009_porsche_boxster_s_porsche_design_edition_2_and_cayman_s_sport_car_news 2009 Porsche Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2 and Cayman S Sport - Car News] ] It features freer-flowing exhaust, which raises power from 295 hp at 6250 rpm to 303 hp at an identical 6250 rpm. Cayman S Sport comes in Bright Orange or Shining Green from Porsche 911 GT3 RS, or in Carrera White, Speed Yellow, or Guards Red, as well as Black and Arctic Silver. The Cayman S has striping on the sides, black 19-inch wheels, as well as an alcantara steering wheel directly from the 911 GT3 RS. The instrumentation loses its hood. Body is lowered by 0.4 inches, and the performance exhaust system is louder. 700 are to be made for worldwide market, with 100 for the U.S. and Canada. It will cost $69,900 USD.

Awards

The Cayman has been the recipient of a number of awards, including:

*"Automobile" – "All-Star" 2007, "Best Sports Car" 2006
*"Car & Driver" – "One of the" "10 Best Cars" 2008 & 2007
*"World Car of the Year (WCOTY)" – "World Performance Car of the Year" 2006
*"Top Gear" – "Sports Car of the Year" 2005
*"Auto Express" - "Greatest Drives & Best Sporting Car" 2007 & 2006
*"Frankfurt Motor Show - Autoweek Editors' Best in Show" 2005
*"Playboy Magazine - Car of the Year" 2006
*"J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study, Best Compact Premium Sporty Cars" 2006
*"J.D. Power's Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study, Best Compact Premium Sporty Cars" 2007 & 2006
*"Wheels Automotive Design Awards, Best Exterior" 2006
*"Car Plus Magazine Car of the Year Award, Best Sports Car" 2006

Performance

The performance of the Cayman S approaches that of Porsche's flagship sports car, the 911 Carrera. Rally legend Walter Röhrl lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife track in a Cayman S equipped with optional 19" wheels, PCCB, and PASM [cite web|title=Porsche's new kid on the grid |url=http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=10408 |work=drive.com.au |accessdate=February 12 |accessyear=2007] in a time of 8 minutes, 11 seconds. [8:11 --- 151.274 km/h - Porsche Cayman S driven by Walter Röhrl as reported by French magazine "sport AUTO" 07/2005] ["AutoWeek" Magazine article. [http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050530/FREE/505300712&SearchID=7326483737143 Published May 30th 2005, accessed Dec 3rd 2006] ] The time for a standard Cayman S, as published by the manufacturer, was 8 minutes, 20 seconds. [cite web|title=Complete Vehicle The new Cayman S |url=http://www.porscheengineering.com/filestore.aspx/default.pdf?pool=peg&type=download&id=service-vehicle-case-02-2005&lang=en&filetype=default |work=Porsche Engineering |accessdate=February 11|accessyear=2007] In contrast, Röhrl recorded 8 minutes, 15 seconds in a 911 Carrera. [8:15 --- 149.818 km/h - Porsche 997 Carrera 2 driven by Walter Röhrl as reported by Australian magazine "WHEELS" 06/2004] ["Automobile" Magazine 2006 Porsche Cayman S review article. 3rd paragraph. [http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupes/0508_porsche_cayman_s Accessed Dec 3rd 2006] ] The similarity in performance between the two cars has led to speculation about whether the Cayman S will cannibalize sales of the Carrera, as the basic Carrera's recommended retail price in the United States is $12,400 higher than that of the Cayman S.

A Cayman prepared and run by privateers Jürgen and Uwe Alzen finished fourth overall (of 220 entrants) in the 2007 Nürburgring 24 Hour race, ahead of two flagship Porsche 997 GT3 RSR's, a 997 GT3 Cup, and a 996 GT3 Cup. [ [http://adac.24h-rennen.de/datenbank/ergebnisdatenbank.html Zurich 24h race results, race #35 (in German).] retrieved 2007-Jun-14] Another two privateer Caymans, entered by CSR and MSpeed, finished 22nd and 117th overall, respectively. Porsche disclaims support for the Cayman teams, while supporting some or all of the 997 teams. [ [http://www.autobild.de/sport/touren/artikel.php?artikel_id=13895 Auto Bild article (in German) for July 2007 issue.] retrieved 2007-Jun-14]

A sports car feature which is not offered by Porsche for the Cayman is limited slip differential (LSD). Some commentators have speculated that LSD is not offered, even as an option, because the Cayman S's performance would then be too close to that of the 911 Carrera (see Crippleware). Several tuning companies offer Cayman buyers the ability to retrofit an LSD. Also the biggest engine (3.8l) or the turbo engine is not available in the Cayman.

ee also

*Porsche Boxster
*Porsche 997

References

External links

* [http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/cayman/ Cayman models] at Porsche's website
* [http://www.porsche.com/all/centreforward/cayman/flash/default.aspx?language=en-us&market=PCNA&pool=usa&browser=other&instance=94&variant=&section=&bandwidth=dsl The Cayman (normal)] - official minisite
* [http://www.porsche.com/cayman/flash/default.asp?language=en&market=int&browser=ie&instance=115&variant=&section=&bandwidth=dsl&screenwidth=1024&screenheight=768 The Cayman S] - official minisite
* [http://www.caymanclub.net/ The Cayman Club] - site of the official Porsche Club of America (PCA) registry for Caymans