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 |
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 |
As Caymans were more expensive than their open versions - Boxsters - the Caymans were equipped with tuned versions of the Boxster engines.
Cayman e-volution electric test car
The first electric 2-door Porsche test car was a 987.2-generation Boxster E showed in 2011. In 2017 the 981-generation Cayman test car was publically shown at the Electric Vehicle Symposium, although it had existed for years already. It was created to test the 800V Porsche Turbo Charging electric system (developed by Porsche Engineering and ADS-TEC) for the future Porsche electric cars. Like every electric car, this test car accelerates phenomenally - in 3.3 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph). So, it is by far the strongest-accelerating 981-generation Cayman Porsche built.
© James Herne / Stuttcars.com
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)
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