The largest weight savings were achieved through the use of lightweight components, such as aluminum doors, and by dispensing with creature comforts. Carbon-fibre Sport Bucket Seats – alone saving 12 kg versus more conventional items – highlight an interior devoid of frills. Fabric door pulls replace metal handles, the instrument cluster does without a decorative shroud and a storage shelf is where you normally find an audio system (which can be added at no extra charge). As with the 911 GT3, GT3 RS and Boxster Spyder, an optional lithium-ion lightweight battery is also available.
The Cayman R’s sense of purpose and purist character is evident at first glance. The extended silhouette of the bodywork, which has been lowered by 20 mm compared to the Cayman S, combined with the distinctive fixed rear spoiler, ensures an individual appearance. The lightest 19-inch wheels in the entire Porsche range weighs less than 40 kg for the complete set. Finally, the black-framed headlights, black exterior mirrors and the “PORSCHE” lettering on the side – in contrasting black or silver, depending on the body colour – take design cues from classic Porsche racing cars.
It was precisely this lettering that was the trademark of the first Porsche with an “R” designation, the 911 R of 1967. This special model was created for racing sport use in a limited run of just 19 cars. The “R” was a prototype based on the standard coupé with a 210-horsepower Carrera 6 engine and, thanks to its many plastic components and extremely sparse equipment, weighed only 830 kg.
Channeling that car’s essential, less-is-more ethic, the new Porsche Cayman R will go on sale in sometime during the early to middle of 2011.
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Paul
What a shame!
When I read the title i thought Porsche had finally gotten over their “911 must remain the fastest Porsche” mentality and really built a great car, alas not.
The interior of this car is lovely, GT2 Club Sport derived seats, RS style door pulls all give the right impression, I would have liked to have seen an GT3 RS style roll cage on the list, but could live without it, weight reduction of 55KG is nice (155KG would have been nicer, & possible, but OK), then we get to the engine, same old asthmatic 3.4 with a slight ECU tweak to get 10 Bhp…..Come on Porsche!
If Porsche were making a sincere effort to make a “Cayman R” that was worthy of the title, it would be a limited release track focused car and would have had the GT3 derived motor, pushing 400+Bhp, mated to a close ratio transmission with LSD and use the GT3 centre lock wheels; such a car would be the track day weapon of choice for every enthusiast and would be a sought after, future classic in the way of previous 911 RS models; this “Cayman R” is nothing more than a marketing effort to generate a few more sales before the new shape comes out. How Disappointing.