Wednesday, May 15, 2013
First Look to The 2012 Porsche Cayman R Review and Pricing
Its been a while since the 2012 Porsche Cayman R officially hit the scene last November, but today we have a bountiful bevy of beautiful new photos for you to peruse.
In a world where single letter monikers demarcate unique editions, Porsche reserves “R” for its special, very special cars. Coming this February, the 2012 Porsche Cayman R ($66,000-$91,000) will arrive to driving enthusiasts’ delight with 10 more horsepower (330 total) and 120 less pounds.
With 10 more horsepower from its 3.4-liter flat six, making for 330 horsepower total, and a lightness-enhancing treatment that shaves 121 pounds from the standard Cayman, the Cayman R is the refined drivers choice in the mid-range, mid-engine Porsche lineup.
Porsche acheives the weight reduction through aluminum door skins, lighter 19″ alloy wheels, fixed spoiler, carbon fiber seats and tossing out trivialities like air conditioning
and sound systems giving the Cayman R a svelte 2,855 lb dry weight. Combine this with the 3.4 liter flat-six mid-engine’s extra power, virtually flawless PDK dual-clutch transmission, limited-slip differential, Sport Chrono package and you have yourself a 4.4 second 0-60 mph Porsche Cayman. As for the color, it’s safe to say that only Porsche could pull off the equivalent of lime green and still make it look so damn good.
The new lightweight version of the mid-engined, Boxster-derived coupe, the Cayman R sports the same 3.4-liter, direct-injected flat six thats tucked into the standard Cayman S. A 10-horsepower boost puts total output at 330 hp, and with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox, the Cayman R is a few ticks quicker than its hardtop siblings.
Porsche claims a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds for the Cayman R with the ma
nual transmission, and 4.4 seconds for the PDK dual-clutch shifter when outfitted with the Sport Chrono package. Top speed numbers reach 175 mph for the manual Cayman R, and 174 mph for the dual-clutch car.
Porsche credits a 121-pound weight loss in the Cayman R to lightweight materials, and some deleted features. The coupe drops its air conditioning and audio system, and gets aluminum door skins, interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS, and carbon-fiber-backed sport seats.
In their places, Porsche fits a standard limited-slip differential, front and rear aero add-ons and 19-inch wheels also found on the Boxster Spyder roadster--and also gets black body details including a Porsche decal down its flanks.
The Cayman Rs suspension is lowered about 0.79 inches for handling, Porsche adds.
