The ultimate Cayman has been released at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. Stripped out, lighter, more powerful, the new Cayman R is a more powerful variant of the Cayman S. According to Porsche, the R stands for "responsive and refined - but most especially for racy."
Like most lightweight models, the Cayman R does without such luxuries as air conditioning, audio system, complex door handles (replaced for simple door pulls), and uses carbon fiber seats and lightweight rims (all four weigh in at less than 40kg) to save on weight.
It also uses a smaller fuel tank and features an optional lithium-ion lightweight construction battery. All in, the Cayman R looses 55kg over the S and brings weights down to just 1295kg.
The diet program itself doesn't add to the uprated performance figures, Porsche's engineers fine tuned the Cayman's 3.4-liter six-cylinder powerplant and managed to beat out an additional 10hp, bringing total output up to 330hp with torque remaining unchanged at 272lb-ft.
Porsche offers three separate configuration packages each with varying performance levels. In standard configuration, the rear wheels propel the car to 100km/h in 5-seconds flat. With the optional seven-speed PDK gearbox, the R reaches 100km/h in 4.9-seconds, and finally in the fastest Sport Chrono package, 100km/h is seen off in just 4.7-seconds!
The Cayman R reaches a top speed of 282km/h with the manual gearbox, and 280km/h with the PDK gearbox.
Handling wise, the chassis set up for the R includes a sports suspension that lower the car's ride height by 20mm compared to the 'S'S and features a limited slip differential. If you're concerned of not being able to stop in time, you can opt for a set of carbon ceramic brakes.
Distinguishing the Cayman R from the rest is an aero kit that includes a distinctive rear wing and a front lip spoiler, black-framed headlights, and side mirrors in contrasting black or silver, depending on the body colour.
The new Porsche Cayman R goes on sale in February 2011 with prices to start at €69,830.
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" width="640" height="390"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_zIzdryDod0&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="390"></object>
