2014 Porsche Cayman is lighter, faster, starts at $52,600

[AVANTI R5]

While the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is just making its North American debut here at the 2012 LA Auto Show, the big news at the Stuttgart firm’s stand is the new 2014 Porsche Cayman.

The 2014 Porsche Cayman has been “re-engineered from the ground up and it is lower and longer, lighter and faster, more efficient and more powerful than ever,” Porsche said in a statement.

Power for the base Porsche Cayman comes from a 2.7 liter engine making 275-hp – allowing for a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package. The 2014 Cayman S is powered by a 325-hp 3.4 liter engine allowing for a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono package.

Prices start at $52,600 for the 2014 Porsche Cayman and $63,800 for the Cayman S. Sales start in Spring 2013.

[AVANTI R5]

We can only guess how Porsche purists dealt with the recent launch of the Cayenne diesel, but we imagine that the addition of the updated Cayman to the brand’s lineup will more than make up for it. Appropriately launched in Los Angeles, where a sizeable portion of Porsche 's customer base is located, this is the second generation of the Cayman, based on the third-generation Boxster. For reasons unknown, Porsche refers to this car as the "third-generation Cayman." Like the Boxster, the new Cayman has a longer wheelbase, but is lighter than the outgoing model, and it’s also more powerful. There are two versions: The base Cayman with its 2.7-liter flat-six producing 275 hp—that’s 10 more than its predecessor—and 214 lb-ft of torque. Above that, Porsche presents the Cayman S, powered by a 3.4-liter flat-six that makes 325 hp and 273 lb-ft from. Both direct-injected engines have an aluminum block and aluminum cylinder heads; they sport four overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Porsche offers a six-speed manual transmission and an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

With the Cayman, more powerful doesn’t mean less efficient; thanks to a brake-based energy-recovery system, sophisticated thermal management, and a start-stop system, consumption is reduced by up to 15 per cent.





But don’t be fooled by the greenie wrapper, the Cayman's performance is supreme. The standard model needs just more than five seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop, while the Cayman S undercuts the five-second-marker easily. Top speed is 165 mph and 176 mph, respectively. The choice in transmission becomes a difficult one. With the seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), the Cayman is 66 pounds heavier than with the standard manual transmission. But acceleration with the PDK is superior, thanks to the ultra-quick shifts and the pre-loading of the transmission. On the other hand, top speed—admittedly, an academic figure in most markets—suffers in the auto. For those who do opt for the stick, a shift light now will be added.

The new Cayman, with its 2.4-inch longer wheelbase, is more stable on the road. The hydraulic power steering goes out in favor of electro-mechanical power steering. From our experience with the Boxster, it is a particularly well-engineered unit; you likely won't miss the old steering. A number of costly options improve roadholding further: PASM active suspension; PTV brake-induced torque vectoring; and active transmission mounts, which stiffen up when driving tenacity picks up.





Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, while 19- and 20-inch wheels are available as an option. The Cayman S now features the front discs off the 911; carbon-ceramic brakes are optional. A sport-exhaust system that enhances the car's sound by the push of a button will be available, as well.

If you are looking for an entirely different kind of sound, you might consider the Burmester high-end audio system that was not available on the previous generation of Caymans. Burmester is Porsche's supplier of choice, and they even supplied Bugatti for a while, before VW's top brand switched to Dynaudio.

While the Cayman's general recipe as a light-weight, mid-engined sports car hasn't changed, there are some stylistic cues that will allow you to distinguish it from its predecessor. The proportions have been improved with a wider stance and longer wheelbase; the taillights now are connected by a lip spoiler, like on the new Boxster; the fender-mounted air intakes figure more prominently than ever; and the slanted intakes of the front fascia are decidedly more aggressive than on the previous Cayman.

The Cayman will start at a base price of $52,600, while the Cayman S will set you back $63,800. American dealers will have them in their showrooms on April 27, 2013. View Photo Gallery

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[Len]

Fantastic car, messed up pricing. The balls to charge more for the coupe than the vert. The balls.

[vrusso]

Poor mans Porsche, to think I can almost afford one of these without breaking the bank.


Intersting:
Porsche is getting about 101.9 hp/ltr or 79.3lbs/ft / ltr for the 2.7ltr
about 95.6 hp/ltr or 80.3lbs/ft / ltr for the 3.4ltr
Subaru is getting about 100hp/ltr or 75.5lbs/ft / ltr for the 2.0 BRZ

If Subaru were to put a 3.0ltr H6 in the BRZ and magically managed the same ratio they would have a 300 hp 227lbs/ft car. One could dream right?

[pieces]

Lights just aren't Porsheey enough. What's with the square?
Regardless, still want.

[Andreas Miko]

Originally Posted by vrusso

Poor mans Porsche, to think I can almost afford one of these without breaking the bank.


Intersting:
Porsche is getting about 101.9 hp/ltr or 17hp/ltr/cylinder (275/(2.7*6)) for the 2.7ltr
79.3lbs/ft / ltr or 13.2lbs/ft / ltr/cylinder

about 95.6 hp/ltr or 15.9hp/ltr/cylinder (325/(3.4*6)) for the 3.4ltr
80.3lbs/ft / ltr or 13.3lbs/ft /ltr/cylinder

Subaru is getting about 100hp/ltr or 25hp/ltr/cylinder (200/(2.0*4)) for the 2.0 BRZ
75.5lbs/ft / ltr or 18.9lbs/ft /ltr/cylinder

If Subaru were to put a 2.0ltr H6 in the BRZ and magically managed the same ratio they would have a 300 hp 227lbs/ft car. One could dream right?

Its per Ltr, not per Cylinder.

So what you ment to say was Subaru with a H6 3Ltr would have 300 HP.

[vrusso]

Originally Posted by Andreas Miko

Its per Ltr, not per Cylinder.

So what you ment to say was Subaru with a H6 3Ltr would have 300 HP.

Yes 100hp/ltr would be a 3.0ltr H6 for 300hp. I must have been smoking somethign good when I was trying to relate individual cylinder output percylinder and the relative ratio of hp/ltr

[Snowphun]

I thought there were two generations of Cayman already, or was the second gen just a facelift?

Very 80's retro looking seats.

[MidnightSti05]

cayman GTS - my body is ready.

[KC]

The ass-end profile pic looks like a squished New Beetle's ass-end.

--kC

[CanonFodder]

Originally Posted by KC

The ass-end profile pic looks like a squished New Beetle's ass-end.

--kC

Gah, now I can't unsee it.

[lark6]

Originally Posted by KC

The ass-end profile pic looks like a squished New Beetle's ass-end.

--kC

I'm sure that is by design, or at least by order of the new Wolfsburg masters.

I expect it drives as well as the new Boxster, which I enjoyed but for the steering which felt a bit disconnected.

[sackytar]

Love it.

[Frank A]

ho hum. those rear side windows need to be replaced with air scoops for the intercoolers for the twin turbocharged 3.6L 600 hp engine this car needs. Cayman GT2R...

[DeeezNuuuts83]

This is definitely awesome, but I'm not sure if I like it better than the Boxter, in terms of its appearance. The rear end does look a little bit odd with a hardtop.

Despite the improvements, the graphs of the engine output really make you wish that they didn't restrain it they way that they do.

[fx3s]

the interior/exterior looks great, however i wonder if the battery is in the same spot.

[WRX4US]

If only it had AWD.
Rather atypically, I think the hardtop Cayman looks better than the Boxster convertible.

[Snowphun]

Originally Posted by WRX4US

If only it had AWD.

What would that do for it apart from making it heavier and give it more understeer?

[Integra96]

Very much want.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by WRX4US

If only it had AWD.
Rather atypically, I think the hardtop Cayman looks better than the Boxster convertible.

Originally Posted by Snowphun

What would that do for it apart from making it heavier and give it more understeer?

It would also make it even more expensive. But, I guess it might be a desirable trait for some people .

[neg_matnik]

Hello yellow ! :-).

[E. Nick]

Awesome chick car.

[Len]

Originally Posted by E. Nick

Awesome chick car.

Calling a 300+ HP mid-engined Porsche a chick car doesn't make sense to most people, but if the purpose of that statement was to emphasize that you are not most people then you succeeded.

[AVANTI R5]

he likes to bust my ass

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by AVANTI R5

he likes to bust my ass

...said no man ever