Porsche has revealed a new version of its affordable Cayman sports car. The 2013 model will be wider, longer, with a lighter, stiffer body as well as more horsepower and increased torque.
Body stiffness has been increased by an impressive 40 per cent and the car weighs 30kg less, so it should be more nimble than ever. Though the average Cayman owner is probably not so concerned with eco-friendliness, Porsche says the new engines and weight-saving can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 15 per cent.
The latest model has been built new from the ground up. It features the same lightweight part-aluminium part-steel body design as the latest Boxster models, meaning around 44 per cent of the new car’s skeleton – the front and rear bodywork, floor, doors and the front and rear bootlids — are made of aluminium.
The Cayman’s 2.9-litre flat six ‘boxer’ engine has been replaced with a smaller, but more powerful 2.7-litre unit. Power is up by 10bhp to an impressive 275bhp, meaning the Cayman has smashed through the 100bhp per litre barrier for the first time (101.6bhp/litre). If that’s not enough to set your pulse racing, the sportier Cayman S uses the same 3.4-litre as its predecessor, but now kicks out 325bhp – a 5bhp increase.
The Cayman and Cayman S achieve 0-60mph in 5.7 and 5 seconds, respectively. Those numbers drop to 5.4 seconds and 4.7 seconds if you splash out on the optional Chrono package and ditch the standard six-speed manual gearbox for Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. The Cayman will go on to hit 165mph, while its S brother peaks at 176mph.
The Cayman’s fuel economy is respectable for something so rapid. The 2.7-litre car manages nearly 37mpg with PDK, and the 3.4-litre model an impressive 35.3mpg. Models with the six-speed manual are only slightly less frugal.
Caymans benefit from the same front brake discs as the Porsche 91, larger wheels as standard (18-inch), the option of a high-end Burmester sound system and Adaptive Cruise Control. They’ll go on sale in March 2013. Prices start at £39,694 and £48,783, respectively.
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