2011 Porsche Cayman R First Look
Demanding Unobtanium: Cars We Want, But Can't Have
Believe it or not, there was a time when Mitsubishi's Evo and Subaru's WRX were not available on... Read More
- N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
- 142ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
- 0COMMENTS POSTED
Also See
-
The Porsche Cayman, Explained: Video
-
2013 Porsche Cayman (981) Spotted On Video
-
New Porsche 911 A Hit In Europe, Likely To...
See more video »
One of the standouts among the many exciting reveals at the L.A. Auto Show last week was the Porsche Cayman R. Ironically painted an envious green, it is more likely to be the Porsche’s competitors who will be green with envy.
Pulling all of the strategies out of the Boxster Spyder’s playbook, the Cayman R is 121 pounds lighter than its Cayman S counterpart and packs a rollicking 330-horsepower mid-mounted flat-six engine. Power is put to ground by either a six-speed manual or (our all-time favorite) a seven-speed dual clutch PDK gearbox. Both feed a limited slip diff.
Just as does the Boxster Spyder, the Cayman R strategically employs aluminum, carbon fiber, lightweight wheels and the option to run without A/C and the audio system to add lightness to the platform. To further improve handling, the Cayman R rides 20 millimeters lower than Cayman S. Aerodynamics are cleaner too, courtesy of a new set of front and rear spoilers.
Many in the sports car world have hailed Cayman as the best handling Porsche—ever. With the R-spec improvements to the Cayman’s power to weight ratio and suspension mods, it is reasonable to expect to sse that assertion advanced even farther.
We had the pleasure of carousing the canyons in the hills above Malibu, just north of Los Angeles, in a Boxster Spyder last spring. We found that car to be exceptionally well-balanced, with outstanding torsional rigidity, clairvoyantly responsive steering and extremely satisfying acceleration and braking.
Given the Cayman’s inherently stiffer body, we have no problem projecting an even more dramatic improvement in driving dynamics over both the Boxster Spyder and the Cayman S. There was a time when Porsche deliberately held the Cayman back so it wouldn’t out-perform the brand’s 911 halo car. With Cayman R, that concern seems to have been tossed aside, as the Cayman R should easily best base model 911s now.
Of course with variants like the GT2 in the lineup, the Porsche's patriarch still gets ultimate bragging rights—but for those looking for the biggest bang for their buck in a car wearing the Stuttgart crest, you need look no farther, the Cayman R is bound to be your car.
Pricing starts at $66,300 when the car goes on sale next year.
Connect with Facebook
Related Articles
-
2013 Cadillac XTS: First Drive
-
2013 BMW 7-Series Preview
-
2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG: First Drive
-
2013 Porsche 911 GT3 Spy Shots
-
2013 Porsche Boxster S: First Drive
-
Follow Us
On Facebook
2013 Ford Shelby GT500: First Drive 
2013 BMW 4-Series Coupe Spy Shots 
Next-Gen Mazda MX-5 To Spawn New Alfa Romeo Spider: Official 
2014 BMW X5 Spy Shots 
Have an opinion?Join the conversation!
Have an opinion?Join the conversation!