The formula behind the Porsche Cayman R is the simplest of math, add power and subtract weight. Though that equation is just the gist of the range-topping Cayman, those simple changes give the car a totally new character on the road, more uncompromising and focused over the sharper Cayman S.
Launched this week by Sime Darby Auto Performance, the holder of the Porsche marquee in the country, the Cayman R gets its power from the same 3.4-liter flat six found in the Cayman S. However, power gets a slight boost up by 10hp for a total of 330hp in the R. Torque however remains at 370Nm but given the reduced weight it shouldn’t matter much.
As mentioned, the weight savings on the R is immense and contributes significantly to car’s increased performance. The doors are made out of aluminium, shaving off 15kg. The shells for the bucket seats are made from Carbon fiber reinforced-plastic, cutting off a further 12kg. Even the inside door handles aren’t spared, being replaced by fabric straps to pull shut and open. Finally, the 19-inch wheels used are the lightest Porsche has made, with a single piece weighing just 10kg.
Connecting the engine to the rear wheels is Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox. Though the given price for the Cayman R locally includes the PDK, Sime Darby Auto Performance will be able to procure one with a manual six-speed should the customer prefer being more in control and swapping his or her own cogs. Thus far, there hasn’t been an order for a manual gearbox yet.
Performance wise, the PDK is ahead of the game in every aspect. It does the century sprint faster and is actually more fuel efficient than the manual. Hitting 100km/h from a standstill takes just 4.9-seconds for the PDK and 5 seconds for the manual. On the fuel front, consumption is a respectable 9.3-liters per 100km for the PDK and 9.7-liters for the manual. Although we’re all for a proper manual with clutch kicking action, you would really have to love a stick shift to choose one over the PDK in this scenario.
The Cayman R can be configured with a variety of options, or rather lack of them. Air-conditioning and radio are all optional over in Europe but here, Sime Darby Auto Performance has ordered all their stock with them. Let’s face it, the weather here doesn’t negate air-conditioning even to go a few precious seconds quicker.
Other options include the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) that will set you back a whopping RM32,000. Not only do the brakes increase stopping performance, they also weigh in lighter by 15kg. If automotive anorexia is your fetish, then you can even order a smaller and lighter lithium ion battery for the car. This is a 14kg reduction in weight.
Handling has also been further enhanced. Ride height over the S is 20mm lower. This is courtesy of the more rigid springs, stiffer dampers and custom anti-roll bars. The front and rear tracks have also been widened by 4m for the front and 2mm for the aft. Grip is aided by a differential lock that comes as standard equipment.
The front and rear wheel alignment also sees more negative camber added. Interestingly too, the Porsche electronically controlled dampers, PASM, cannot be had with the Cayman R as the car is meant to be pure and focused for track duty.
