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Porsche Cayman R (2012)

A weight savings of 121 lbs. More power and lots of detailed work under the skin. One of the best driver's cars Porsche has ever made and that is saying a lot.

Porsche Cayman R Profile - Large
Model
Porsche Cayman R
Years
2012
Production
1,621 units
Engine
3.4 L Nat Aspirated Flat-6
Power
330 bhp @ 7400 rpm
Torque
273 ft lbs @ 4750 rpm
0 - 60 mph
4.3 seconds
Top Speed
175 mph

(2012) Porsche Cayman R – Ultimate Guide

Stuttgart. The Porsche alphabet reserves the letter R for very special sports cars: R for responsive and refined – but most especially for racy. The new Cayman R combines all these attributes without compromise. 55 kilograms (121 lb) lighter and with ten horsepower more than the Cayman S, the new mid-engine coupé from Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is designed for spectacular road behaviour. With its specially adapted sports chassis, it provides an even more precise driving experience than the Cayman S. The Cayman R makes its world debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The new mid-engine coupé is powered by a tuned-up 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine developing 330 hp (243 kW). In the standard configuration it transmits its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox that propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.0 seconds. Or there is the option of the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) that reduces its acceleration time to 4.9 seconds. For even more impressive sprinting performance, the Cayman R can be supplied with one of the optional Sport Chrono packages, taking it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds.

The new mid-engine coupé is capable of a top speed of 282 km/h (175 mph) with manual gearbox, or 280 km/h (174 mph) with PDK. Its NEDC fuel consumption is 9.7 l/100 km (29.12 mpg imp.) with six-speed gearbox and 9.3 l/100 km (30.37 mpg imp.) with PDK. The main aim during the design of the Cayman R was to improve the two-seater even further in its performance, driving dynamics and agility through consistent weight reduction.

With a DIN unladen weight of just 1,295 kilograms (2855 lb) the Porsche engineers were able to reduce the power-to-weight ratio of the coupé with standard manual gearbox to 3.9 kilograms (8.6 lb) per horsepower, with the PDK version weighing 4.0 kilograms (8.8 lb) per horsepower. The largest savings were achieved through the use of lightweight components and doing without convenience equipment. As for the 911 GT3/GT3 RS and Boxster Spyder, an optional lithium-ion lightweight construction battery is also available. In addition, the top model in the mid-engine coupé is equipped with the lightest 19 inch wheels the entire Porsche range can offer. The complete rim set weighs less than 40 kilograms.

The Cayman R’s purpose and purist character can be seen at first glance. The extended silhouette of the bodywork, which has been lowered by 20 millimetres (0.79 in) compared to the Cayman S, combined with the distinctive fixed rear spoiler, the high-quality silver-painted wheels and numerous sporting highlights on both the interior and exterior, ensures an individual appearance. The black-framed headlights, black exterior mirrors and the “PORSCHE” lettering on the side – in contrasting black or silver, depending on the body colour – take design cues from classic Porsche racing cars.

Precisely this lettering was the trademark of the first Porsche with the “R” designation, the 911 R of 1967. It was created for racing sport use in a small series of 19 cars. The “R” was a prototype based on the standard coupé with a 210 horsepower Carrera 6 engine and, thanks to its many plastic components and extremely sparse equipment, weighed only 830 kilograms (1830 lb).

Price & Value

Options & Price 2011
Cayman S
2012
Cayman R
Vehicle Base Price $61,500 $66,300
P45 Design Sport Package $6,200 -R-
19″ forged lightweight wheels in P45 -R-
Mirrors, side vents, wheels, model designation in contrasting color in P45 -R-
Front and Rear Porsche Aerokit in P45 -R-
Sport Bucket Seats $2,990 -R-
Limited Slip Differential $950 -R-
Side Stripe with Model Designation $775 -R-
Aluminum Doors N/A -R-
20mm lower suspension with stiffer springs/bars N/A -R-
330 BHP without modifying the car N/A -R-
Dash Trim Strip painted in Exterior Color $520 -R-
Seat Belts in Guards Red $340 -R-
Air Vents painted Sporty Black $905 -R-
Rear Center Console painted in Exterior Color $730 -R-
Air Conditioning with Auto Climate Control $650 $1,760
Sound Package Plus -S- $700
Grand Total: $75,560 $68,760

Weight Saving

Savings Area Weight Loss
Aluminum Doors and Light Weight Door Panels 33 lbs.
Composite Sport Bucket Seats 26 lbs.
Air Conditioning 26 lbs.
Other 16 lbs.
Light Weight Drop Forged Wheels 11 lbs.
Radio and Speakers 7 lbs.
Removal of Storage Compartments 2 lbs.
Total Weight Savings: 121 lbs.

Colors

Body Color Contrast Color
Black Silver
Peridot Metallic X
Guards Red X
Speed Yellow X
Carrara White X
Platinum Silver Metallic X
Cream White X
GT Silver Metallic X
Black X
Basalt Black X
Dark Blue Metallic X
Macadamia Metallic X
Meteor Grey Metallic X
Amethyst X
Ruby Red Metallic X

Comparison: Cayman S vs. Cayman R

Cayman S Cayman R
Base Price: $61,500 $66,300
Engine 3.4 Liter Direct Fuel Injection
320 bhp at 7,200 RPM, 273 lb.-ft.
3.4 Liter Direct Fuel Injection
330 bhp at 7,400 RPM, 273 lb.-ft.
Wheels – Tires (F):
Wheels – Tires (R):
8.0″ x 18″ – 235/40 ZR18
9.0″ x 18″ – 265/40 ZR18
8.5″ x 19″ – 235/35 ZR19
10″ x22 align= /1div align=#EEEEEE size= 19″ – 265/35 ZR19
Spoiler: Automatically Extending / Retracting spoiler in body color
Fixed Aero Kit Spoiler, struts body color, wing in contrasting color, front aero spoiler lips
Suspension: Standard fixed rate or 10mm lower PASM 20mm lower tuned Sport Suspension
Instrument Dials: Flip/Flop Black on backlit Light Grey Speedy Black faces without
Instrument Cluster Cowl
Sound System: Sound Package Plus, 180 Watts, 9 speakers None
Exhaust & Exhaust Tip: 2 into 1 with Dual Opening
Exclusive Tuned Performance Exhaust with Dual Branch Twin Tailpipe
Curb Weight
(Manual / PDK):
2,976 lbs. / 3,031 lbs. 2,866 lbs. / 2,988 lbs.
Coefficient of Aerodynamic Drag: 0.29 6 Speed / 0.30 PDK 0.30 6 Speed & PDK
Top Speed (6 Speed / PDK): 172 MPH / 171 MPH 175 MPH / 175 MPH
Claimed 0-60 Time: (6Spd./PDK/PDK+SC): 4.9 / 4.8 / 4.6 seconds 4.7 / 4.6 / 4.3 seconds
Fuel Consumption (6 Speed Manual): 19 City / 26 Highway 19 City / 27 Highway
Fuel Consumption (7 Speed PDK): 20 City / 29 Highway 20 City / 29 Highway
Fuel Capacity: 16.9 Gallons US Model: 16.9 G / ROW: 14.3 G

Pictures