While Porsche has long branched out into sport utility vehicles and even a more handy sedan, loyalists to the two-door sports car lifestyle may feel somewhat disrespected. Their concern is that the German car builder’s core values are conceding to new markets and the increased reliance on comfort-based electronics. Thankfully, over the past year, racier editions of the Porsche 911 (Carrera GTS and the Speedster) have invigorated the essence of sports car performance.
Revealed in a Peridot Metallic color at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche has torn the covers off their newest edition vehicle. Exploiting many of the technical advantages used to construct the Porsche Boxster Spyder, the Porsche Cayman R is a pure, bare-bones sports car.
Much like the Porsche GT3 RSR and Porsche Cup competition cars which make ongoing assaults on sports car racing’s more popular victory lanes, the 2012 Porsche Cayman R immediately makes the brand’s entry-level coupe a true looker. Wearing a standard front and rear spoiler obtained through the existing Cayman Aerokit. Standard on the Porsche Cayman R, the Bold “PORSCHE” branded striping is not required to remark the classically derived sports car shape; the company often defines their proudest achievements within racing stripes. Black headlamp frames and mirrors complete the 2012 Porsche Cayman R styling.
In creating the 2012 R version, the Porsche Cayman’s body now rests 0.79 inches lower than the Cayman S, thanks to a specialized sports suspension. Holding tighter to the ground, improved center of gravity translates into fluid handling in corners and more aerodynamic utilization in a straight line. Lightweight 19-inch wheels reduce the unsprung weight of the vehicle, further enhancing the Cayman R’s manners. Also driven by reducing weight, the Porsche Cayman R replaces door panels with aluminum reducing the weight by 33 pounds.
For premium car buyers who justify their new car purchases with the latest in convenience technology, the 2012 Porsche Cayman R jazzy, the multi-color interior is fueled by the outer performance desires. Notable absences inside the Porsche Cayman R are a cup holder and the stereo system (though a premium audio system and a navigation computer can be optioned). The Cayman R’s sport bucket seats featuring carbon fiber backing and Alcantara construction is said by Porsche to have shaved 26 pounds from the vehicle’s total weight.
With all the weight-shaving attention, the Porsche Cayman R’s curb weight is 2,855 pounds with a 6-speed manual or 2,910 fitted with the 7-speed, twin-clutch PDK transmission. In translation, this Cayman R model weighs less than a base Porsche Cayman.
Coupled with the aerodynamic enhancements, the power to the ground is left as the only ingredient in making the 2012 Porsche Cayman R a full package. Featuring a careful performance tweak of 10 horsepower to 330 with the 3.4-liter flat-6 engine, the Porsche Cayman R reduced overall weight pushes the car’s weight-to-power balance to just 8.58 pounds per horsepower. Launched with 273 foot-pounds of torque, acceleration, and speed is given a healthy bump. The Porsche Cayman R strips two-tenths of a second off the Carrera S times with a 4.7 second 0-60 mile per hour time achievable with the manual. The PDK transmission paired with the optional Sport Chrono package moves at a lightning-fast 4.4 seconds. Top speed of up to 175 miles per hour is on tap with the 2012 Cayman R edition.
Entering the 197 Porsche dealerships of the United States for February 2011, the 2012 Porsche Cayman R will start at a $66,300 base price.
Information and photo source: Porsche Cars North America
