Porsche reveals new Cayman R model

Hardcore Cayman R is lighter and faster - arrives in 2011.

In the Porsche tradition of incremental model enhancements, here's the Cayman R. It is the lightest, most powerful Cayman yet.

The R uses the 3.4-litre flat-six engine of the S, but tweaked to produce 325hp - 10hp more. Torque stays as was at 370Nm.

Add that to a 55kg weight reduction, a limited slip differential and 20mm lower suspension and you get one hell of a Cayman.

With the six-speed manual the car will hit 100km/h in five seconds dead, a 0.2-second reduction. But with PDK and the Sport Chrono package it'll sprint to the benchmark in just 4.7 seconds.

The weight reduction comes by way of throwing air conditioning out the window, shrinking the fuel tank, adding a set of carbon fibre buckets and using the lightweight door cards of the 911 GT3 RS.

And even though the rim size goes up to 19 inches, unsprung weight goes down because those alloys are Porsche's lightest.

Visual enhancements include a standard aero kit incorporating a fixed rear wing, black wing mirrors, black surrounds for the headlamps and the obligatory Porsche side stripes.

The Porsche Cayman R makes its world debut this week at the LA Auto Show alongside its 911 Speedster and Carrera GTS relatives. Order one from the beginning of 2011, though Irish prices have not yet been announced.

Published on: November 17, 2010