mikeyb
08-18-2005, 08:02 PM
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/2005/0816200511325539.jpg
Cayman photos by Guy Spangenberg
Porsche's Cayman S Should Handle Better Than the 911.
Although Porsche wants the Cayman to be considered an additional model line, Porsche's new, strictly 2-passenger coupe belongs by its floorpan, body structure (up to the waistline) and by its mechanical layout to the Boxster family. Most of the external body panels, however, are different; only the doors, the front fenders and the front luggage compartment lid are carried over from Porsche's roadster.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/2005/0816200511325400.jpgCompared with the Boxster, the big difference, of course, is that the Cayman is a closed car, of which the sloping rear part is a hatch. Porsche engineers have retained the Boxster's strong floorpan without any modification for the Cayman, with the unusual result that the closed car is only 11 lb. lighter than the comparable Boxster S. On the other hand, the Cayman S's torsional stiffness is 2.5 times higher than the Boxster S (which ranks as one of the structurally stiffest contemporary open cars), and only 5 percent lower than the 997-Series 911 Carrera. The beam stiffness is also doubled compared with the roadster's.
The large hatch gives access to a luggage compartment exactly twice the size of the Boxster's, and when complemented by the front locker, makes for more-than-generous space in a 2-passenger car. A glass screen separates the cockpit from the luggage area when the hatch is closed and also acts as a shield against noise from the midship engine.
The Cayman S's powertrain is basically the same as the Boxster S's, the most significant difference being that the water-cooled flat-6 engine's capacity has been increased to 3.4 liters by way of a 3-mm-larger cylinder bore. It uses VarioCam Plus valve gear (as seen on the 911), which provides variable valve timing and lift, improves torque over a wide rev band, saves fuel and meets emissions requirements worldwide, while bumping power to 295 bhp. Transmission choices include the Boxster S's 6-speed manual or a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic.
Stiffer spring rates and anti-roll bars with correspondingly adjusted damping rates (compared with the Boxster S), along with 18-in. wheels with 235/40ZR-18 front and 265/40ZR-18 rear tires (19s are an option), ideal weight distribution and a very rigid body structure lend promise that the Cayman S will be the best-handling street-legal Porsche ever, except possibly for the Carrera GT.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/2005/0816200511325440.jpgAs far as straight-line performance, the Cayman S logically fits between the Boxster S and the 911 Carrera, as the official factory figures suggest: The Boxster S has 280 bhp; the Cayman S, 295; and the 911 Carrera 3.6, 325 bhp, producing 0-62-mph times of 5.5 seconds, 5.4 and 5.1, respectively, while the top speeds are 166.5, 171 and 177 mph.
The Cayman S hits U.S. showrooms in January 2006, at a price of $58,900. The suffix "S" suggests that at a later date Porsche intends to extend the Cayman line. It seems highly probable that a cheaper, less powerful entry-level model will be announced soon. Paul Fr่re
source:http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=2601&page_number=1
Cayman photos by Guy Spangenberg
Porsche's Cayman S Should Handle Better Than the 911.
Although Porsche wants the Cayman to be considered an additional model line, Porsche's new, strictly 2-passenger coupe belongs by its floorpan, body structure (up to the waistline) and by its mechanical layout to the Boxster family. Most of the external body panels, however, are different; only the doors, the front fenders and the front luggage compartment lid are carried over from Porsche's roadster.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/2005/0816200511325400.jpgCompared with the Boxster, the big difference, of course, is that the Cayman is a closed car, of which the sloping rear part is a hatch. Porsche engineers have retained the Boxster's strong floorpan without any modification for the Cayman, with the unusual result that the closed car is only 11 lb. lighter than the comparable Boxster S. On the other hand, the Cayman S's torsional stiffness is 2.5 times higher than the Boxster S (which ranks as one of the structurally stiffest contemporary open cars), and only 5 percent lower than the 997-Series 911 Carrera. The beam stiffness is also doubled compared with the roadster's.
The large hatch gives access to a luggage compartment exactly twice the size of the Boxster's, and when complemented by the front locker, makes for more-than-generous space in a 2-passenger car. A glass screen separates the cockpit from the luggage area when the hatch is closed and also acts as a shield against noise from the midship engine.
The Cayman S's powertrain is basically the same as the Boxster S's, the most significant difference being that the water-cooled flat-6 engine's capacity has been increased to 3.4 liters by way of a 3-mm-larger cylinder bore. It uses VarioCam Plus valve gear (as seen on the 911), which provides variable valve timing and lift, improves torque over a wide rev band, saves fuel and meets emissions requirements worldwide, while bumping power to 295 bhp. Transmission choices include the Boxster S's 6-speed manual or a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic.
Stiffer spring rates and anti-roll bars with correspondingly adjusted damping rates (compared with the Boxster S), along with 18-in. wheels with 235/40ZR-18 front and 265/40ZR-18 rear tires (19s are an option), ideal weight distribution and a very rigid body structure lend promise that the Cayman S will be the best-handling street-legal Porsche ever, except possibly for the Carrera GT.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/2005/0816200511325440.jpgAs far as straight-line performance, the Cayman S logically fits between the Boxster S and the 911 Carrera, as the official factory figures suggest: The Boxster S has 280 bhp; the Cayman S, 295; and the 911 Carrera 3.6, 325 bhp, producing 0-62-mph times of 5.5 seconds, 5.4 and 5.1, respectively, while the top speeds are 166.5, 171 and 177 mph.
The Cayman S hits U.S. showrooms in January 2006, at a price of $58,900. The suffix "S" suggests that at a later date Porsche intends to extend the Cayman line. It seems highly probable that a cheaper, less powerful entry-level model will be announced soon. Paul Fr่re
source:http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=2601&page_number=1