Porsche Cayman 981 (2012-2016)

Date of unveil by Porsche AG: November 28, 2012, GTS March 19, 2014
Premiere: Boxster: November 28, 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, GTS April 20, 2014 Auto China in Beijing
World market launch: March 2, 2013 (as a 2014 model), GTS May 2014

Technical specification

Modification	Engine	kW	lb-ft	Nm	Brakes mm	Gearbox	0-60 mph	0-100 km/h	mph	km/h	DIN kg	DIN lb	W/lb	W/kg
Cayman 981	2.7B6	202	213	290	315/299	manual 6-speed	5.4 sec.	5.7 sec.	165	266	1310	2888	69.9	154
						PDK 7-speed	5.3 sec.	5.6 sec.	164	264	1340	2954	68.4	151
Cayman 981 S	3.4B6	239	272	370	330/299	manual 6-speed	4.7 sec.	5.0 sec.	176	283	1320	2910	82.1	181
						PDK 7-speed	4.6 sec.	4.9 sec.	175	281	1350	2976	80.3	177
Cayman 981 GTS	3.4B6	250	279	380	330/299	manual 6-speed	4.6 sec.	4.9 sec.	177	285	1345	2965	84.3	186
						PDK 7-speed	4.5 sec.	4.8 sec.	176	283	1375	3031	82.5	182

DIN weight = car with 90% fuel, no driver, no cargo. Weight of German versions with standard equipment.

Body

Compared with the previous model, the wheelbase was extended by 60 mm / 2.36". The bodyshell is a composite construction of aluminium and steel. Aluminium accounts for around 44 % of the entire bodyshell. The doors, luggage compartment lid and rear hatch are made entirely of aluminium.

The mirrors are mounted on the doors for better aerodynamics and lower wind noise. The external window trims are black as standard, but could be specified in high-gloss finish. The standard model came with halogen headlamps and the S with the xenons as standard.

Technology

Since the Cayman 987.2, the engine had integrated dry-sump lubrication, which ensures a reliable supply of oil even when the vehicle is experiencing powerful lateral acceleration. The oil tank is located in the engine, thereby eliminating the need for an external oil tank and saving space and weight.

Even though the PDK gearbox has 7 speeds, top speed is reached in 6th gear. PDK has the coasting function, which means that when the throttle pedal is released, the engine is decoupled from the transmission to prevent engine braking. If you want something like this on a true driver's car is questionable.

The steering system in the 9x1 cars is electromechanical. Whereas a conventional hydraulically assisted steering system draws engine power continuously, the electric motor of the electromechanical system uses energy only when you actually steer. Optional speed-sensitive Power steering Plus makes manoeuvring and parking easier.

As an active safety feature, the car came with engine drag torque control (EDC) which precharges the brake system when needed. If you suddenly release the accelerator pedal, the braking system is precharged so that the brake pads are already in light contact with the brake discs.

Electrical systems

The battery is recharged by the alternator predominantly under braking. Thanks to selective recharging the engine has a bit more power as the alternator doesn't have to generate electricity all the time.

The electric parking brake is released automatically as you pull away with your seat belt fastened. A hill hold function is integrated as standard, even for the manual gearbox car. As soon as sufficient torque is available, the brake is released and the vehicle moves off.

The standard start/stop function switches off the engine when you stop, select neutral and release the clutch pedal. In cars with PDK, it is simply a case of applying and holding the brake. The engine will restart as soon as you operate the clutch or, in cars with PDK, release the brake. The start/stop function can be deactivated and reactivated using a button on the centre console. The function is deactivated automatically in the event of extreme outside temperatures, low battery charge or activation of the Sport-button. The Sport-button on the centre console is fitted as standard. When selected, the engine reacts even more directly to the accelerator pedal and the rev-limiter is set higher.

The cruise control was still optional, reminding that someone would order the Cayman for racing only and therefore doesn't need it. The cruise control can be activated between speeds of 18-149 mph/30-240 km/h. Also available was the adaptive cruise control. When installed, the radar sensor inside the front bumper scans the road ahead up to a distance of 200 m/600 feet. If the vehicle ahead slows down, adaptive cruise control decelerates the car accordingly. The system is capable of even taking the car down to a halt if the deceleration isn't too fast. If the system detects that your vehicle is approaching the vehicle in front too quickly, it issues an audible and a visual warning. This is accompanied by a brief application of brake force.

As standard, the glove compartment contains an audio interface, which enables you to connect an external audio device or USB stick. The MP3-compatibe CD/DVD drive plays also audio DVDs. A 6-disc CD/DVD autochanger integrated in PCM is available as an option. By means of the USB socket, it is also possible to download data from the performance display of the optional Sport Chrono Package, as well as data from the optional electronic logbook. In the opposite direction, you can transfer up to 10,000 tracks in MP3 format to the internal hard drive of PCM. When playing recognised podcasts or audiobooks, the cover art is displayed.

Weight

While 911 coupé of the same era is 70 kg/154 lb lighter than similar 911 cabriolet, this is not the case with the Cayman as it was built on the Boxster's floorpan (Cayman weighs as much as the Boxster).

Good value

With the comparable equipment level (2-zone AC, leather seats), the 911 991 Carrera was 33% more expensive than Cayman 981 S. The Porsche rear seats for your kids are really expensive, but then again sex never was cheap.

Technical comparison Cayman 981 GTS vs. 911 991 Carrera Coupé

	No. of seats	Gearbox	Engine	kW	lb-ft	Nm	0-100 km/h	mph	km/h	kg	lb	W/lb	W/kg
Cayman 981 GTS	2 seats	manual 6-speed	3.4B6, mid	250	279	380	4.9 sec.	177	285	1345	2965	84.3	186
911 991 Carrera Coupé	4 seats	manual 7-speed	3.4B6, rear	257	287	390	4.8 sec.	179	289	1380	3042	84.5	186

2012 LA Auto Show, Porsche Cayman 981 — 2012 November 28, LA Auto Show, Cayman 981 unveiled by Porsche CEO Matthias Müller© LA Auto Show

The rear wing deploys automatically at 74 mph / 120 kmh© Porsche

Single exhaust pipe shows the 2.7-litre engine© Porsche

Porsche Cayman 981 GTS front spoiler — GTS© Porsche

Luggage compartments together have a combined capacity of 275 litres© Porsche

Invitation to a very special experience© Porsche

Black instruments of the 2.7-litre version© Porsche

Porsche Cayman 981 instrument cluster — Titanium-coloured tachometer face of the Cayman S© Porsche

Standard, multifunction and Sport Design steering wheels© Porsche

Cayman is a 100% driver's car and drivers love to drive, not to be driven, so the right choice is the manual gearbox and clutch pedal© Porsche

"Sport"-button in a Porsche is as weird as a "Luxury"-button would be in a Bentley© Porsche

Porsche Cayman 981 interior mirror, garage door opener memory — Garage door opener memory buttons I II III© Porsche

Even if the navigation module is not specified, the touch-screen comes as standard.© Porsche

Automatic start/stop can be switched off© Porsche

Porsche Cayman 981 two-tone interior — Not too German...© Porsche

Porsche Cayman 981 seats, standard, sport, sport plus, adaptive — Standard sport seat, fully electric sport seat, sport plus seat, adaptive sport plus seat© Porsche

These rollers run 30 cm / 12" behind the back of the driver© Porsche

As Caymans were more expensive than their open versions - Boxsters - the Caymans were equipped with tuned versions of the Boxster engines.

Cayman 981 and 911 991 Carrera engine comparison. The 3.4-litre units are the same except the power is electronically limited in the Cayman S and GTS compared to the 991 Carrera. Without the electronic cut-down, the 3.4-litre prototype engine developed around 261 kW.

Dynamic gearbox mount which comes in the Sport Chrono Pack© Porsche

Cayman, Cayman S/GTS and optional ceramic brakes© Porsche

Optional Porsche Torque Vectoring means the rear inside corner wheel is slightly braked for the car to turn in more easily. The package includes the limited slip differential which is helpful in accelerating out of the corners.© Porsche

Designer Anthony Hatter speaks about his creation. His most famous work was the 993.

Sales catalogues

PDF 2012/10 Cayman, S (20 MB)

PDF 2013/03 Tequipment Cayman (16 MB)

PDF 2014/11 Exclusive Cayman (5 MB)

PDF 2015/02 Cayman GT4 In German/Deutsch (7 MB)

Search for a Cayman 981 or continue to Cayman 981 GT4

Anniversaries: Jul, 10 – 51st birthday of the 910 (1966); Jul, 16 – 13th birthday of the 911 997 (2004); Aug, 19 – 78th birthday of the type 64 (1939); Aug, 29 – 52nd birthday of the 906 (1965); Sep, 03 – 142nd birthday anniversary of Ferdinand Porsche (1875)