2014 Cayman
& Cayman S Written by Michael Souza (aka Gator
Bite), June 2013 (published October 2014)
2014
was a big year in Cayman history as it marked the introduction of an all new
platform, the new 981 Cayman. The differences between the 981 and 987 were
significant, but not unexpected as many of the new technologies were already
introduced in the new 991 and 981 Boxster. This is a big year with
lots of changes in many areas.
Styling
In 2009 we saw a small
connection to Carrera GT styling in the Cayman's new blacked out headlights.
This trend toward Carrera GT styling has continued in 2014. One
of the most striking styling changes to the 981 Cayman, which really pulls
some Carrera GT feel, are the deep recesses in the doors that lead back to
the new forward facing air intakes in the Cayman's rear quarter panels.
Carrera GT fans may also notice that the new side view mirrors attach to the
door skins instead of to the the pillar in the window area.
The front and rear views of
the 981 stay true to the Cayman with some distinct differences. The
headlights become slightly sharper and more square. The air intakes up
front are also sharper and somewhat more aggressive with new LED array
daytime running lights filling the round fog lamp openings.
In the rear there is a new
wider aero wing that integrates into the taillights to deliver a smooth
uninterrupted body line. The shape of the hatch has changed a bit,
transforming from a concave angle to a smooth convex arc and the rear window
glass has been extended lower into the trunk lid. The trunk lid now
wears the family mark, P O R S C H E, plus the usual model script. An
observant eye will notice that the bumperettes, a feature unique to the US
Cayman market, are gone delivering a cleaner smoother look to the back
bumper cover.
Chassis
The 981 Cayman has a 1.5 inch (40mm) wider track, and a 2.4 inch (60mm) longer
wheelbase than the 987. Beyond these obvious differences in physical
dimensions, the body of the 981 uses Porsche's newest weight savings design
of mixed steel and aluminum construction. Aluminum makes up 44% of the 981's
chassis, including the front and rear body, floors, doors, and front and
rear trunk lids. Despite the fact that this body uses less steel than its
predecessor, its torsional rigidity has been increased by 40% while chassis
weight has gone done by 100 pounds, resulting in a gross vehicle weight loss
of 66 pounds.
The 981 sits on larger
wheels than the 987, with 18 inch wheels standard on the Cayman, 19 inch
standard on the Cayman S and optional 20 inch wheels available on both.
These wheels are fitted with new improved tires that provide 7% less rolling
resistance than those available on a 2013 Cayman, resulting in better
efficiency and .
Longer wheelbase, wider
track, less weight, bigger wheels and higher torsional rigidity are sure to
deliver improved driving performance.
Interior
The new interior has very
little in common with the original. We're dealing with a clean sheet of
paper here, or maybe not. Many would say that the 981 shares many interior
styling elements of the current Panamera and 991. That is true, but I see it
a little differently. I say they all share the interior styling elements of the Carrera GT.
The center console is higher with the sifter that's much closer to the
steering wheel. The hand brake is missing (more on this later). The dash top is flatter, further away
and the Sport Chrono stopwatch is recessed nicely into the dash top, eliminating the
wart that drew so much criticism in the 987s. Controls are made up of many high quality
push buttons logically located around the interior and able to give
instant access without menus or drill downs, the way all sports cars controls should be.
All of these elements make you feel as though you are sitting in a cockpit
more than the older design did.
The door panels are new, modern, elegant and very Carrera GT. The door's
storage pockets swing out
now, replacing the armrest doors of the 987. They offer a bit less storage
than the 987 door pockets, so a little storage has been added in front of
the door pockets and on the sides of the center console.
The steering wheel tilt and
telescopic controls are now electric, making it possible for the wheel to
move in and up during exit and for the system to memorize different driving
positions.
The instrument cluster is
similar to the 987 cluster in the fact that it displays 3 round gauges to the
driver, but that's where the similarity ends. The new 981 cluster has
a color LCD display in the right and left sides making it possible to
display far more information. For the first time since 1997, Porsche has
given a sports car other than the 911 an oil pressure and oil temperature
gauge, (though displayed digitally without an analog gauge), once again
addressing complaints about prior versions.
New Colors
The 2014 Caymans are
available in some very cool new colors. {details coming}
Engine & Transmission
The power train of the 2014 Caymans are probably the single biggest carry
over item from the previous model. The 9A1 engine is pretty new, first
appearing in 2009 and continuing on into the new 981 Caymans.
The biggest difference we see in the 981 is that the Cayman engine
displacement has been reduced from 2.9 liters back down to 2.7 liters (like
it was in 2007). But before you cancel your order or jump to the S
model take notice that the new smaller Cayman engine actually makes 10
horsepower more than the big brother it has replaced, producing 275 horsepower and
propelling the new Cayman from 0-60 mph in as little as 5.1 seconds -
actually faster than a 2006 Cayman S while delivering 32 mpg on the highway
(when equipped with PDK and Sport Chrono Plus).
The Cayman S engine displacement is unchanged
at 3.4 liters. Power is increased by 5 horsepower to 325, shooting the S
from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds while delivering as much as 30 miles per
gallon (PDK & Sport Chrono+).
There are two transmissions choices available in the
2014 Caymans, both carrying over from 2013. The Cayman and Cayman
S come standard with the 6 speed manual gearbox, which means the 5 speed
manual has officially been retired. The 7 speed PDK is available as an
option in either model.
2014 Innovations
There are so many notable new technologies in
the 981 that I can't imagine how I can write a comprehensive model history
for this model year without filling 5 pages with technical talk. In an
attempt to not bore the heck out of our readers, I'll cover them very briefly
here. If you'd like to discuss any of these in greater depth, please
start a discussion in our forums and I promise to geek out without limits. Let's get started, in no particular order:
Electrical Recuperation - The 981 gets
a new Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM) battery and an intelligent alternator.
These two parts work together. During coasting and braking, the
alternator output will adjust to full charge - dumping electrical energy
into the AGM battery. The now overcharged battery doesn't need
additional charging, so the intelligent alternator can free wheel during
acceleration. This will increase both efficiency and performance.
Thermal Management - The cooling system
(and thermostat) on the 981 are now computer controlled. During warm
up, the system can be shut down completely, allowing the engine to warm up
and reach it's optimal operating temperature much faster than previously
possible. Under full load or sporty driving the map controlled
thermostat will reduce the operating temperature to deliver maximum
performance and cooling. This will result in cleaner combustion (less
pollution), increased performance and reduced wear.
Coasting - PDK equipped 981s will
automatically disengage the clutch during coasting. This will allow
the Cayman to coast without losing momentum, therefore increasing fuel
efficiency.
Auto Start/Stop - PDK equipped Caymans
will also automatically shutdown when stopped, and automatically restart
when your foot comes off the brake pedal. This feature saves fuel.
It can be disabled manually by pressing the defeat button, or by enabling
Sport mode.
Dynamic Transmission Mounts - When
equipped with Sport Chrono, a 981 Cayman will dynamically stiffen it's
transmission mounts based on driver input. With the mounts at their
stiffest setting, drivetrain movement is is greatly reduced improving
responsiveness, particularly in tight fast transitions. Race cars use
solid engine and transmission mounts. Street cars use soft dampened
mounts, to reduce vibration and noise. The Dynamic Transmission mounts
gives drivers the best of both worlds.
Electro Mechanical Steering - The new
981 Cayman gets an electrically boosted power steering rack. This
replaces the old hydraulic pump, lines and fluid of a conventional system.
An electro mechanical steering rack is far more efficient because it only
consumes energy when you are turning the steering wheel, as opposed to a
hydraulic system that requires energy all the time (even when going
straight). The result, increased efficiency and performance.
Adaptive Cruise Control - Will scan the
road ahead and adjust vehicle speed when to maintain 1 of 4 driver selected
following distances. Only available on PDK equipped Caymans.
Burmester® Sound - A premium
sound system comprised of 12 individually controlled speakers and 800 watts
of amplification.
Porsche Entry & Drive - Proximity
key that allows an owner to enter, exit and even start a Cayman without
pressing using a key. Simply approach the vehicle and touch the door
handle. If you have the proximity key on you, the door will unlock.
This feature is optional.
Electric Parking Brake - The subject of
much debate, the parking brake in the new Cayman is now electronic.
This saves weight by eliminating the old school handle mechanism and cables. It also adds control, like the ability to automatically disengage the brake
if you put a PDK Cayman in gear and hit the accelerator. The
elimination of the handle provides a cleaner interior.
Revised PASM - PASM is still available,
but it is now better than ever incorporating four new sensors that measure
damper and wheel movement, and new software modules that will further
enhance transparency and driving performance.
Torque Vectoring - Prior Caymans
enjoyed the benefits of PSM (Porsche Stability Management). The 981
Cayman has both PSM and PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring). PSM provides
benefits only when a vehicle's control is compromised. PTV helps all
the time by applying moderate brake pressure to the inside rear brake when
the vehicle is turning. This brake application will cause torque around a
Caymans vertical axis, therefore helping the car to turn (the same way a
large dual engine motor boat turns by applying different amounts of engine
RPM). The benefits are staggering. The 981 Cayman was 10 seconds
faster around the Nürburgring, and most attribute that to PTV.
New Rear Wing - The new rear
aerodynamic wing is has 40% more area than that of a 987, providing more
down force. More down force is always possible by increasing area, but
it usually comes with more drag. This new wing has more area, more
down force yet less drag.
Summary
Just seven models year into the Cayman's
history and the 2014 Cayman has given me a lot to write about. It's
pretty clear that Porsche has not forgotten about the Sports Car purists. The new 981 Cayman was clearly made for them. We've seen so many
innovations, many of them clearly aimed at increasing efficiency, yet
performance has not been forgotten as it seems to go hand in hand with each
innovation. Owners of 987 Caymans are often seen installing "Under Drive
Pulleys", "Low Temperature Thermostats", "Solid Engine Mounts", "Bigger
Wings" and so on. It seems like Porsche has been listening, watching,
taking notes and
reacting.
Specifications:
Bold Blue - Specification value greater
than that of preceding model year.
Bold Red - Specification value less than
that of preceding model year.
Four valves per cylinder (two intake, two exhaust) activated by four overhead camshafts with dual profiles and
continuous camshaft adjustment (VarioCam Plus)
Intake System
Variable-length double-chamber manifold with
Direct Injection
Two parallel mufflers with crossover pipe and integrated catalytic converter
Management
Continental SDI 9 DME (Digital Motor Electronics) engine management
for ignition and Direct Fuel Injection
Electrical System
12 volt, 2,100 watt alternator
with 60 Ah AGM battery capacity
12 volt, 2,100 watt alternator
with 70 Ah AGM battery capacity
Fuel
Premium unleaded (91 octane or greater)
Bore
3.5 in. (89.0 mm)
3.8 in. (97.0 mm)
Stroke
3.1 in. (78.7 mm)
3.1 in. (77.5 mm)
Capacity
2,706 cc
3,436 cc
Maximum horsepower
275 @ 7400 rpm
325 @ 7400 rpm
Maximum torque
213 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
272 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Redline
7,800 rpm
7,800 rpm
Compression ratio
12.5:1
12.5:1
Output per liter
101.6 HP
94.6 HP
Transmission
Cayman
Cayman S
Engine and transmission bolted together to form one drive unit, engine power transmitted via driveshafts
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Gear Ratios
Manual
PDK
Manual
PDK
1
3.667
3.909
3.308
3.909
2
2.050
2.291
1.950
2.292
3
1.407
1.654
1.407
1.654
4
1.133
1.303
1.133
1.303
5
0.972
1.081
0.950
1.081
6
0.841
0.881
0.840
0.881
7
-
0.617
-
0.617
R
3.333
3.545
3.000
3.545
Final Drive Ratio
3.890
3.250
3.889
3.250
Body
Two-seat monocoque coupe with all-steel lightweight body shell, hot-galvanized on both sides
Coefficient of drag (Cd)
0.30
Suspension
Cayman
Cayman S
Front
Independent, Porsche-optimized McPherson spring strut axle with wheels suspended on transverse arms, longitudinal arms and spring struts; twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers
Rear
Independent, Porsche-optimized McPherson spring strut axle with wheels suspended on transverse arms, longitudinal arms and spring struts; twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers
Steering Ratio
16.5:1 (center position) 12.37:1 (variable)
Brakes
Twin circuits (front and rear) with four-piston, aluminum monobloc, cross-drilled and internally ventilated discs
2012 Cayman R Written by Michael Souza (aka Gator
Bite), November 2010
On November 17th - 2010, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller unveiled the 2012 Cayman
R to an excited audience at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.
This model had been long
awaited and highly anticipated, following in the logical foot steps of the
company and the direction that was demonstrated with the 2010 Boxster Spyder.
Porsche calls this strategy 'Intelligent Performance'. This is the
idea of deriving more performance by reducing weight while adding
performance where
possible, and this approach makes the Cayman R the sportiest Cayman ever.
Intelligent Performance Step 1 - Subtract
A weight savings of 121 lbs. (55 kg) was
achieved through the use of lightweight materials and by removing comfort
options that are not necessary to deliver absolute driving performance.
Keep in mind that the Cayman S has a power to weight ratio of about
1hp:10lbs, so every 10 lbs lost equates to a gain of about 1 horsepower.
Porsche did a lot of work creating the
aluminum doors of the GT3, so it made perfect sense to apply this knowledge
and experience to the Cayman R. These doors wear modified door panels
that also add to the overall weight savings. Door storage pockets are
eliminated, as are the conventional door release handles - replaced with nylon straps reminiscent of the door releases used in the 1973 Carrera RS,
and now used in the Boxster Spyder and GT-3 RS.
Dropping
weight makes the most sense when it can be applied to rotational or
unsprung component of the car. The Cayman R comes
standard with Porsche's lightest 19" production wheels. These wheels are 11
pounds lighter than the standard Cayman S wheels. Eleven pounds may not sound
like a big savings, but when eleven pounds are taken off of the wheels, the results
are compounded. This reduction in mass, rotational mass and unsprung
mass will deliver advantages in acceleration, braking and handling.
When creating a sport car
intended for pure performance, the Radio and Air Conditioning are the first
two creature comforts to be called into question. Does a driver really
need these relatively heavy components for sport driving? These items
have been moved from the Cayman R's standard equipment list to its optional
equipment list.
Sports
car fanatics who take their cars to the track to exploit their full driving
potential are frequently found spending money on the installation of racing
seats and 6 point harnesses. So common sense suggested that Porsche look to the
seats for weight savings and performance enhancement opportunities. The
Cayman R comes standard with Porsche's very desirable, very expensive carbon fiber Sport
Bucket Seats. These seats are made of fiberglass reinforced plastic
buckets, finished off in carbon fiber.
If you're the kind of driver who likes electric seats that remember your
favorite seating positions, you might not like these seats. But if
you're the kind of driver who appreciates a seat that will hold you in place
through high G-Force turns and allow you to install 6 point safety harnesses
for track use, you're going to really like them. These seats deliver
all of the sport performance benefits of aftermarket racing seats, while
still providing side impact airbags, factory fit, an amazing carbon fiber
finish all while providing the Cayman R another 26 lbs of weight savings.
To follow in the less is more strategy, say
goodbye to the instrument cluster cowl, cup holders and coat hooks normally
found on the backs of the seats. Replace the standard 70 Amp
battery with a 60 Amp battery and you save another 16 lbs.
Maximum Weight Savings
To further add to the weight savings possibilities,
the light weight lithium ion battery that was developed for the GT-3 RS is
available as an option on the Cayman R. Selection of this option
will reduce weight by an additional 22 lbs (10 kg) for a total weight
reduction of 143 lbs. But select that option carefully as it will also
lighten your wallet. The lightweight battery costs $1,700, or roughly
$77 per saved pound and it may not be the best choice for all season use.
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.
Intelligent Performance
Step 2 - Add
After reducing weight, the Cayman R was given more performance by adding
power, suspension tuning and other performance upgrades that do not require
weight be added back to the vehicle.
The Cayman R engine delivers 330 brake
horsepower at 7,400 RPM, 10 horsepower more than the 2010 Cayman S. Power is nothing without control, so Porsche
has thrown in a new tuned Sport Suspension that sits 20mm lower on stiffer
springs with stiffer dampers and stiffer anti roll bars. The R is also setup
with more negative camber on both axles to meet the traction and
directional control demands of high performance driving. To finish off the chassis, the Cayman R is
fitted with a mechanical Limited Slip Differential for better corner
exiting grip and braking zone stability.
To deal with the new aerodynamic demands of a
faster more powerful chassis, the Cayman R was fitted with the Porsche Aero
Kit, which includes a fixed rear wing and larger more effective front
spoiler lips.
The Aero kit provides more
down force which will make a Cayman R experience less lift at high speeds
than a Cayman S would. The electromechanical actuators of the standard
telescopic spoiler are removed to offset the added weight of the fixed rear
wing.
Styling
Many
elements have been applied to the styling of the Cayman R to make its looks
match its personality, some intentional, some accidental. The 20mm
drop, 19" 10 spoke wheels and Aero kit are good examples of accidental
styling. These items are installed for performance, but consequently
add a very aggressive look to the Cayman R.
On the intentional side, the Cayman R receives
a grey tint strip on the top of the windshield, which gives it a low mean
look, and many
items finished in a 'Contrasting' color. Contrasting items include the Porsche Side
Stripes, Side Air Intakes, Exterior Mirrors and Rear Wing. These items
will be either Black or Silver, depending on the exterior color of the car
as shown in the chart to the right..
The Dual Chamber Exhaust Tailpipes, Model Designation on the rear deck lid and the Headlight Trims
are painted black regardless of exterior color.
Body
Color
Contrast Color
Black
Silver
Peridot Metallic
•
Guards
Red
•
Speed Yellow
•
Carrara White
•
Platinum Silver Metallic
•
Cream
White
•
GT Silver Metallic
•
Black
•
Basalt Black
•
Dark
Blue Metallic
•
Macadamia Metallic
•
Meteor
Grey Metallic
•
Amethyst
•
Ruby
Red Metallic
•
Inside the Cayman R, the sporty character continues. The instrument
cluster cowl has been removed to save weight, and the gauge bezels are now
finished in 'aluminum look' silver. The silver gauge faces have been
replaced with sporty black, which has also been applied to the side and
center vents. The Sport bucket seats are finished in a mixture of Leather
and Alcantara in the center. A special 3 spoke Sport Design steering wheel
is standard (with shift paddles on PDK models at no extra cost). The shifter top is inlaid
with red text. The center console trim and dashboard trim are painted to
match the exterior and a black Cayman R logo is applied to the dash trim and
the door sills.
Price &
Value
The Cayman R has a base
price of $66,300, making it the most expensive Cayman available. But
if you stop to consider all of the options you get for $4,800, the value is
actually pretty astounding. If a Cayman S were configured to include
every available option that's on the Cayman R, it's price would quickly
exceed $66,300 and several of the slickest options could not be added.
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 section of 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
In fact, purchasing a
Cayman R would cost $6,800 less than purchasing a similarly optioned Cayman
S. With the R you are getting 10 more Horsepower, Aluminum Doors and the
Sport Suspension, none of which are available on the S. On the S you
are getting cup holders, coat hooks and door pockets. So which would
you rather have? Remember, if you can't live without a radio, cup holders and street seats, each can be added back into the Cayman R at no charge.
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.
One thing is for sure. Porsche pretty
much threw the kitchen sink at this one, applying all they know and have
available without actually redesigning the car. Every performance
option on
the list, and then some that weren't on the list have found their way into
the Cayman R. We've seen an inordinate number of Caymans at PCA High
Performance Driver Education events all over the country, many of which have been
turned into dedicated track cars. If this is any indicator of things
to come, I think we'll be seeing a lot of these Cayman R's terrorizing other
track drivers soon.
At the time of this writing, the car was not yet
available for sale or test drive, so the jury is still out on exactly how this car will perform. But
anyone who's been a Porsche fan as long as I have been can tell you that
when Porsche puts a car like this together, the result is always greater
than the sum of
its parts. This car is likely to be known as the best driving mid engine
street Porsche ever.
The Cayman R is scheduled
to go on sale in February - 2011.
I know I will anxiously look forward to the first reports about this very
exciting Cayman.
2006 Cayman S Written by Michael Souza (aka Gator
Bite), November 2010
Mid engine cars are nothing new to Porsche. Glancing through Porsche's
history, we can find lots of them. In fact, the very first Porsche,
the 356 prototype, had a
mid mounted engine. As the 356 went to production the engine was moved
to the rear to reduce production costs and make more interior room.
Moving forward through history, we can see that Porsche has created a lot of mid engine
Race Cars. In numeric order,
there was the
550,
718,
904,
906,
907,
908,
910,
917,
956,
962,
GT1 and the
RS Spyder.
Many of these race cars rose to legendary status and delivered Porsche a broad
portfolio of motorsport victories. So why is it then that
Porsche has developed so few mid engine street cars? Between 1948 and
2005 there were only a handful. The
914, the
Boxster and the
Carrera GT.
Well, it looks like Porsche is going back to their racing roots because in
2006 they introduced a new mid engine street coupe, the Porsche Cayman S.
The Cayman S was created on
the new 987 Boxster platform, and given a new body shell that includes a
fixed hard top. Lots of people have referred to the Cayman as a
Boxster coupe, but its mixture of DNA
is actually a little surprising. 50% of the parts that make up the 2006
Cayman S come from the 911, 30% come from the Boxster and
20% of them are new and unique. Regardless of the recipe, one thing is for
sure - In 5 years the Cayman has carved out a real name for itself and
brought new owners into the Porsche family.
There are many characteristics that contribute to
the personality and appeal of the Cayman model. Great looks, smooth
predictable power output, razor sharp handling and confidence inspiring
driver feedback are just a few. Lets take a look deeper into the secret recipe to
see what makes the Cayman S instantly Porsche.
Engine:
The
engine is new, an M97.21 that shares the bore of the 911 Carrera (96mm) and
the stroke of the Boxster S (78 mm). This combination results in a
displacement of 3.4 liters (3,387 cm2). Supplied with the
heads from the Carrera and the camshafts from the Carrera S, the M97.21
develops an impressive 295 horsepower and 251 ft-lb's. of torque. But
it's not the value of these numbers that's so impressive, it's the way in
which they are delivered. The M97.21 makes 91%
of it's torque available as low as 2,500 RPMs, with full torque available
from 4,400 - 6,000 RPMs making the Cayman S very easy to drive and eager to
accelerate.
VarioCam Plus:
VarioCam Plus is the latest enhancement to electronic valve train control
(in 2005).
The VarioCam that we've seen in earlier Porsche models is able to vary valve timing and overlap. VarioCam Plus is
able to vary valve timing, overlap, lift and duration. This added control
allows the Cayman S M97.21 to have two personalities. One
is docile and gentle, delivering
smoothness, ULEV4 cleanliness and fuel economy. The other is angry and aggressive, delivering adrenaline
rich sport car power and torque when asked to sprint.
Chassis:
Like most Porsches, the
Cayman S rides on McPherson Strut suspension front and back. In 2006,
there were two suspension options on the Cayman S. The 'Standard'
suspension, and the 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' system, also
known as PASM.
The Standard
Suspension is very much like that of the Boxster S but not identical. A soft top car is
usually made from a hard top variant, and the removal of the top usually
results in lost rigidity. The Boxster was engineered to be a soft top
from day one, so its chassis was made to be rigid without depending on a top
for strength. When you add a fixed hard top to an already rigid chassis like
that of the Boxster, you end up with a chassis that delivers exceptional
flexural and torsional rigidity. This
added rigidity allowed the creators to supply the Cayman S with firmer
springs and dampers without sacrificing ride comfort. This sport tuned
suspension gives the Cayman S a very sporty personality. The car is
taut and rock solid. Turn-in is crisp and body roll is impressively
flat.
PASM:
The 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' system cost $1,990 in 2006.
To this day this is one of the most misunderstood options available on a
Cayman. Most people assume that because this suspension package is
optional, and because it has a Normal/Sport button, that it must be more
aggressive than the standard suspension and/or only beneficial on track
driven Caymans. This assumption could not be more incorrect. PASM is
both more aggressive and less aggressive than the standard suspension.
But most of the time, it's less aggressive.
PASM damping rates are continuously variable
based on many different inputs and driving conditions (with emphasis on
"continuously"). The PASM system
watches vehicle speed, steering inputs, braking pressures, engine torque
output, lateral and longitudinal G forces, individual - axle specific and
whole vehicle vertical wheel movements, ride height and so on. Damping rates are
adjusted dynamically to aid the specific driving condition. For
example, during hard braking, PASM will stiffen the suspension front and
rear to prevent nose dive and rear end lift. During lane changes, PASM
will tighten the damping rates to prevent body roll. Conversely, if
PASM senses a rough surface that might compromise traction, it will soften
the damping rates to keep the wheels planted. All of these decisions and
adjustments happen in milliseconds. PASM is really one of the most sophisticated
computer controlled suspension systems available.
PASM does incorporate the use of stiffer
springs that lower a Cayman S by 10mm. PASM also comes with a
stiffer front anti roll bar. Despite these more aggressive springs
rates and roll bar, PASM equipped cars will offer a significantly more comfortable ride
than standard suspension cars will because of its ability to vary damping rates
over a much wider range. The chart to the right shows an overlay of the
PASM and Standard damping rates.
We can see that in PASM 'Normal' program, the PASM system will vary damping rates
from much softer rate than standard, to a somewhat more aggressive damping
rate than Standard. In PASM 'Sport'
program, we can see that PASM will vary damping rates from about the same as
standard, to much more aggressive.
PASM is just as much a
comfort option as it is a performance option. The system allows you to
have the best of both worlds. You can cruise in comfort, or carve
turns with attitude. You can press the button, or let the computers
decide the perfect damping rate.
Brakes:
The 2006 Cayman S gets the 'Big Red' brakes
from the Boxster S, sporting 12.5" rotors up front, 11.8" rotors in the
rear, both clamped by patented 4 piston monobloc calipers made for Porsche
by Brembo. The open top design of the calipers makes brake pad swaps
possible without removing the caliper.
Brake boost is provided by
a mechanical vacuum pump so boost levels will not drop from long
applications of wide open throttle like systems that use manifold provided
vacuum. Cooling is well thought out, using the air flow from the
radiators to keep the braking system cool, but not so cool that
aggressive brake pads can't be safely used.
Interior & Storage:
When you think about a 2 seat Porsche, storage
and comfort typically aren't the first two things that come to mind.
Typically, Porsches are designed to be driving machines. Vehicle
performance and driving dynamics come first. If you like bells &
whistles, a Porsche may not be the right car for you. If you've owned
any older Porsches, chances are your expectations aren't really high here.
Porsche interiors have historically been like anything else that's
engineered in Germany. They are functional, minimal, ugly and maybe a little
confusing to those of us that are not familiar with the German symbols and
logic. The interior of the 986 and 996 (1997-2004) were a bit more
intuitive, but the materials and layout were anything but exciting.
Well that all changed in 2005 when Porsche introduced the 987 Boxster and
997 Carrera.
The interior of the Cayman
S is still very German. It's still very functional and minimal. But
something big happened in regard to beauty and simplicity. The
interior in this car has gone light years ahead of Porsches of the past.
The layout is simple and easy to understand. Buttons are located in
convenient locations and labeled with understandable symbols. The
standard interior delivers a feel of quality and reminds you that you're
driving a well made precision machine. Step up to the full leather, and oh
my... The feel, the look and the smell will remind you every time you get in
that you're driving something special.
Storage is more generous
that you'd expect from a small two seat mid engine sports car. In fact,
the Cayman S provides more storage space than any other Porsche sport car.
Thanks to the rear hatch plus front 'trunk', the Cayman S can gobble up
over 14 cubic feet of cargo (4.9 up front, 9.6 in the back).
This storage makes the
Cayman S a comfortable cruiser capable of cross country road trips. This is
one more way in which the Cayman S lets you have your cake and eat it too.
The Cayman S is a great dual purpose car, capable of providing comfort and
luxury, and with the push of the accelerator pedal, power and sport.
With close to a hundred options to chose from, the Cayman S can be
configured to please a wide array of owners, but that doesn't mean that it's
right for everyone. This is a purpose-built sports car that trades some
creature comforts for absolute driving performance. If you've read this far, then you're obviously pretty interested in the Porsche
Cayman. At this point, the very best way to find out if a Cayman is
right for you is to go drive one. Visit your local Porsche dealer and
get behind the wheel. I bet that you will almost instantly know if
this car belongs in your garage.
Four valves per cylinder (two intake, two exhaust) activated by four overhead camshafts with dual profiles and
continuous camshaft adjustment (VarioCam Plus)
Two parallel mufflers with crossover pipe and integrated catalytic converter
Management
DME (Digital Motor Electronics) engine management for ignition and fuel injection with six ignition coils
Electrical System
12 volt (2100 watt alternator with 70 Ah battery
capacity)
Fuel
Premium unleaded (91 octane or greater)
Bore
3.78 in. (96 mm)
Stroke
3.07 in. (78 mm)
Capacity
3387 cc
Maximum horsepower
295 @ 6250 rpm
Maximum torque
251 lb-ft @ 4400-6000 rpm
Compression ratio
11.1:1
Output per liter
87.1 (but not SAE)
Transmission
Engine and transmission bolted together to form one drive unit, engine power transmitted via driveshafts
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Torque split 2
100 percent rear
Gearbox
Six-speed manual
Tiptronic S
Gear Ratios
1
3.31
3.66
2
1.95
2.00
3
1.41
1.41
4
1.13
1.00
5
0.97
0.74
6
0.82
n/a
R
3.00
4.10
Final Drive Ratio
3.88
4.16
Clutch/Converter diameter
9.45 in. (240 mm)
self-adjusting
Body
Two-seat monocoque coupe with all-steel lightweight body shell, hot-galvanized on both sides
Coefficient of drag (Cd)
0.29
Suspension
Front
Independent, Porsche-optimized McPherson spring strut axle with wheels suspended on transverse arms, longitudinal arms and spring struts; twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers
Rear
Independent, Porsche-optimized McPherson spring strut axle with wheels suspended on transverse arms, longitudinal arms and spring struts; twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers
Brakes
Twin circuits (front and rear) with four-piston, aluminum monobloc, cross-drilled and internally ventilated discs
Front
12.52 x 1.10 in. (318 x 28 mm)
Rear
11.77 x 0.94 in. (299 x 24 mm)
Wheels and Tires
Standard front
8J x 18 in. with 235/40 ZR
Standard rear
9J x 18 in. with 265/40 ZR
Weights and Dimensions
Curb Weight
2954 lb (1340 kg)
Wheelbase
95.1 in. (2415 mm)
Length
172.1 in. (4372 mm)
Width
70.9 in. (1801 mm)
Height
51.4 in. (1305 mm)
Front Track
58.5 in. (1486 mm)
Rear Track Luggage compartment
60.2 in. (1528 mm) 14.13 cu. ft. overall (400 liters)
*Photographs and video property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Porsche Active
Suspension Management (PASM)
By Michael Souza, November 2011
PASM is an electronically
adjustable suspension system. It
allows a Cayman to automatically adapt to changing road and driving conditions. Caymans
equipped with PASM will have a button on the center console that allows the
driver to select between a "Normal" or "Sport" mode. Regardless of which program is selected, PASM is always
continuously adjusting the damping rates of the shock absorbers within a
predetermined range to suit the current driving conditions.
Benefits:
The
primary benefit of PASM is the ability to have the best of both worlds.
PASM can deliver a soft comfortable ride without sacrificing driving precision
or handling when desired.
In PASM Normal mode, a PASM equipped Cayman's damping rates
will vary from a setting that is considerably softer than a Cayman with Standard suspension to a
setting that is a little harder. In Sport mode, the damping
rates will vary from the about the same as that of the standard suspension to a
rate that is significantly harder. This
adaptability makes a PASM equipped car very versatile. At one moment it
can be a soft driving street car that is forgiving over rough pavement, and the
next moment it can be a taught track car ready for a DE event.
Springs & Ride Height:
PASM comes with different
springs than the standard suspension. Those springs are 10mm shorter and
15% stiffer (46 N/mm vs. 40N/mm). These springs reduce the ride height of
a PASM equipped Cayman by 10mm (~1/2 inch). Because of this lower ride
height, Cayman's with PASM are aligned with a little
more
negative camber.
Electronic Adaptability:
PASM is incredibly complex,
maybe too complex for complete coverage in this form of writing. It is very
important to understand that PASM is not just a bi-modal suspension, with normal
or sport modes available. Regardless of the program selected, PASM is
always adapting the damping rates to match the driving conditions.
The PASM computer continually
monitors and evaluates a wide range of vehicle dynamics and uses that information to
vary the damping rates. Among the vehicle
dynamics evaluated are:
Vertical movement
Lateral Acceleration
Steering Angle
Travel Speed
Brake Pressure
Engine RPM
Engine Torque
Chassis Pitch
Chassis Yaw
Chassis Roll
Beyond continuous adjustment of
the damping rates within the Normal and Sport modes, there are a number of software
'modules' that are programmed to react to complex vehicle behaviors, including:
Lane Change Module - Damper force is
immediately increased in response to rapid steering movements, reducing body
roll and instability during lane changes.
Vertical Control Module - Damper force
may be reduced or increased with vertical changes, like long sweeping bumps
(increased damping) or fast uneven pavement (reduced damping) to prevent
instability or loss of traction.
Lateral Acceleration Module - If
specific speed dependent thresholds for lateral acceleration are exceeded in
Normal mode, damper force is increased by different predefined amounts for each
side of the vehicle, increasing stability and driving precision.
Braking Module - PASM increases
damping resistance in response to braking to reduce vehicle nose dive and tail
lift, increasing braking traction.
Load Change Module - Damper
characteristics are individually altered for front and rear axles when
accelerating heavily, releasing the throttle or changing lanes. This
module can reduce pitching or soften rear axle damping to increase acceleration
traction.
Popular Misconceptions:
When the Cayman was first introduced in 2006, some
automotive journalists reported that pressing the PASM button lowers the car by
10mm. Activation of the system does not reduce the ride height. PASM
equipped Caymans are always 10mm lower than a standard Cayman.
Many potential Cayman buyers make the incorrect
assumption that the benefits of PASM could only be appreciated on the track.
This is very far from true. A PASM equipped Cayman in Normal Mode is a lot
more comfortable when driven over rough pavement like that you would find on the
street. PASM provides benefits both on the street and on the track.
Drawbacks:
Whether you're looking to restore / maintain an older Cayman, or considering
the installation of an aftermarket suspension system, PASM will limit your
choices in replacement dampers. To preserve the functionality of the PASM
system, dampers need to be replaced by either the original equipment
Porsche dampers, or one of the
Bilstein PSS DampTronic dampers (at
the time of this writing, Bilstein offered 5 choices for PASM equipped
Caymans).
It is possible to install
conventional dampers on a PASM car, but that would render the PASM system
inoperative and it would result in a 'PASM Failure' error message. If you're
thinking that you'd like to build a track Cayman that sits on specialized custom dampers,
you might be better off starting with a Cayman that has Standard Suspension.
Details:
Option Code: 475
Price (2006): $1,990
Available on: All Caymans except
the Cayman R
Conflicts or Requirements:
Requires Sport Package Plus on Cayman
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB)
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB)
By Michael Souza, November 2011
The Porsche Ceramic
Composite Brake System represents the absolute state of the art in
friction braking. This braking system is centered around four large
ceramic reinforced carbon fiber composite brake rotors, but the upgrades
don't stop at the rotors. PCCB also includes upgraded six piston monobloc
calipers up front (the same calipers you'd find on a GT-3) and larger four piston monobloc calipers in the rear
(the usual Cayman S front calipers),
both of which utilize larger brake pads that offer more friction surface
area (see table below).
A test drive of a PCCB equipped Cayman would reveal
that the PCCB feel very different than conventional brakes. The first thing you'll notice
is significantly improved initial bite, particularly when cold or wet.
Continue to work the brakes hard and you'll find that they are pretty much impervious
to fade. PCCB provides very consistent friction values.
Though improved feel and fade resistance are very
important, the greatest benefit of PCCB is the fact that their rotors weigh
approximately half as much as conventional cast iron rotors of the same size,
significantly reducing the unsprung weight at each wheel. Reducing
unsprung and rotational weight will improve a Cayman's ability to maintain grip
on rough surfaces, will improve both acceleration and deceleration and will allow the use of stiffer dampers without loss of comfort
because the dampers and springs have less mass to control.
PCCB
rotors have a much longer service life than conventional cast iron rotors
and owners have reported that the PCCB brake pads create much less brake dust
than conventional pads.
PCCB calipers are easily recognizable by their
bright yellow paint job as the next evolution to the 'Big Red' calipers of the
past. They look absolutely stunning inside a Cayman wheel and send a
message that your Cayman is a very serious performance tool.
Drawbacks:
At $8,150 (2006 price), this is the most expensive option
available on a Cayman. The cost of consumables (pads and rotors) is also very high.
Brakes are wear items so don't expect warranty coverage. For this reason,
PCCB may not be the best choice for Caymans used on the race track where rotors and pads are
consumed at an accelerated rate.
The selection of aftermarket brake pads and rotors
for PCCB is limited, reducing the number of choices and options when
replacements are needed.
Ceramic rotors are more fragile. There is a chance of
chipping one when changing wheels, which would require replacement, so extra
care is required when changing wheels or brake pads.
Details:
Option Code: 450
Price: $8,150 (2006)
Available on: 2006 - up Cayman S and higher models
Conflicts or Requirements: None
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Sport Chrono Package
Sport Chrono
Package (SC)
By Michael Souza, November 2011
Like PASM,
the truth about the Sport Chrono Package has eluded many automotive journalist,
many of whom have suggested that this feature is nothing more than an expensive stop
watch. Sport Chrono is much, much more than a watch.
True,
the Sport Chrono package does include
an analog stopwatch mounted in the center of the dash top. That stopwatch
can be used to time anything, including lap times. A digital read out of
the clock's results can be read in the instrument cluster, which is much easier
to read and provides resolution down to 1/100th of a second. This
stopwatch is one of the benefits of the Sport Chrono package, but it's probably
the least significant benefit.
Like PASM,
Sport Chrono provides a Sport button that lets you have your cake and eat it too. With the
Sport Chrono Sport Mode off, a Cayman is calm and gentle, easy to drive and forgiving.
Turn the Sport Mode on and many characteristics of the car take on an
aggressive and sporty feel. Among the changes are (depending on equipment):
Improved Throttle Response
Increased PSM Intervention
Limits
The Soft Rev Limiter is
replaced with a Hard Rev Limiter proving full power to redline
PASM changes to its Sport Mode
(if equipped)
TipTronic S or PDK switch to
sporty shifting maps (if equipped)
Porsche Sport Exhaust is changed to
its Sport Mode (if equipped)
A rev limiter is a safety device that cuts fuel, ignition or both at a specified
RPM to prevent an engine from continuing to rev beyond safe mechanical limits. Because hitting a hard rev limiter can be uncomfortable for the driver
and hard on the car, Caymans come with a 'Soft Rev Limiter'. A Soft Rev
Limiter reduces power output by adjusting ignition timing as the engine
approaches the cut off RPM. As the ignition timing is retarded and power drops off,
the resulting feel of power loss signals the driver that it's time to shift.
If a driver ignores this, ignition timing is retarded further until the rev
limit is reached, at which point the resulting cut off is much 'softer' because
the engine is not being cycled on and off between full power and no power.
A Hard Rev Limiter does nothing until the engine reaches the predefined engine
speed, at which point fuel and ignition are shut off. This can be very abrupt
and hard on the power train as the engine cycles on and off, but this type of rev limiter will provide
the most power and acceleration, all the way
to redline. This is how the rev limiter behaves when SC Sport
mode is selected.
Sport Chrono Plus Package:
Caymans equipped with the optional Porsche Communication Management (PCM) can be equipped with
the "Sport Chrono Plus Package". This is the same as the Sport Chrono package shown above
plus extra electronic integration with the PCM display. That integration allows users
to record, store and review lap times for each individual driver.
Sport Plus Mode:
Not to
be confused with the Sport Chrono Plus Package, Sport Plus mode
is an extra Sport Chrono mode available only on Caymans that are equipped with Sport Chrono and PDK.
When Sport Plus mode is selected, the PDK transmission will deliver the following
enhancements:
1st Gear is always used from a stop
7th Gear will NOT be selected
at any time
Upshifts are not delivered
until 7,300 RPM
Downshifts are delivered at 4,500 RPM
This shift strategy provides
lightning fast
full performance shifting that would be impossible to duplicate with any other technology.
This is ideal for performance or track driving. Set the
Sport Plus Mode, forget about shifting and focus on your turn in and braking points.
Drawbacks:
Using the Sport Chrono sport mode
increases your chances of hitting the rev limiter as the hard rev limiter gives
no warning that you are reaching the top of the rev range.
Details:
Sport Chrono Package
Option Code: 639
Price: $920 (2006-2008),
$960 (2009-up)
Sport Chrono Plus Package
Option Code: 640
Price: $920 (2006-2008),
$960 (2009-up)
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.