Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The 2012 Porsche Review and First Drives
Porsche claims that the brand-spankin-new 2012 Cayman R isnt called the RS because of the famed sports car makers budget. See, a proper Porsche RS model is raced by privateers with factory support, and Porsche just doesnt have the extra cash lying around to do a proper, factory-backed Cayman RS. But I dont think thats the real reason. Between yo
u and me, that extra S wouldve added weight.
Besides adding lightness, Porsche also added more power. Whereas the 3.4-liter f
lat six in the Cayman S (and in the Boxster Spyder) is good for 320 hp @ 7200 rpm, the Cayman R, with its revised exhaust system and engine management, makes 330 hp @
7400 rpm -- and, with the optional sport exhaust, enough beautiful music to replace the missing radio.
The R rides 20 mm (0.79 inch) lower than the regular S. Stiffer springs and dampers work with revised sway bars to flatten handling. Visually, the R is quite outspoken, with a rear spoiler whose upper surface is painted silver or black, whichever provides more
contrast with the cars base color. It comes with the nineteen-inch wheels from the Boxster Spyder as well as the limited-slip differential thats optional on the Cayman S. Inside, ultra-cool pull-straps replace the interior door handles, just like in the 911 GT3 RS (and the Boxster Spyder)
