Car
April 9, 2015
The 911's younger sibling and rival!? — Test drive the Cayman's top model, the "Cayman R"! | Porsche
Porsche Cayman R | Porsche Cayman R
The 911's younger sibling and rival!?
Test Drive: The Cayman R, Top Model of the Cayman! (1)
The Cayman R is a model that further refines the driving dynamics of the conventional Cayman. What is the essence of a sports car? It lies in its agile performance, according to this philosophy.PorscheBased on the conventional Cayman S, the engine has been tuned for a 10 ps increase in output, while also reducing weight by 55 kg. It's a model that pursues the joy of driving.
By Fumio OgawaPhotos by Nobuhiro Takahashi
Pursuing the Basics in Sports Car Development
The Cayman is a two-seater sports car with a 3.4-liter flat-six engine mounted midship. As the 911 evolves, one can easily see how it has gained fans with its agile performance, making one think it might have arrived at this point.
The Cayman R joins the lineup of the 265 ps Cayman and 320 ps Cayman S. Porsche proposed, "How can we refine an already established sports car concept?" and answered itself, "By minimizing what is necessary to achieve more dynamic and agile performance. That was our idea."
For weight reduction, aluminum doors were adopted, and at the same time, audio and air conditioning became optional.
In a world of sports cars where increased displacement, safety, and comfort features come as a package, leading to increased weight, the Cayman R reminds us of the fundamental importance of the most basic concepts: power-to-weight ratio, and the balance between weight reduction and increased output – principles that would likely appear on the first page of a sports car textbook.
Porsche Cayman R | Porsche Cayman R
The 911's younger sibling and rival!?
Test Drive: The Cayman R, Top Model of the Cayman! (2)
Precise Engineering That Stimulates Human Senses
The charm of the Cayman R is immediately felt when opening the door. A light door. And when you settle into the bucket seat and close the door, it also feels light and makes a crisp sound, clearly indicating its quality construction. Even at this point,Porscheone feels the sophisticated engineering behind it, bringing a sense of joy.
The exhaust note appears to have been specially tuned, sounding more present than in the Cayman S. Above 2,000 rpm, the exhaust note, centered on low frequencies, can already be heard inside the cabin. While this is a deliberate effect, it's unlikely that someone choosing the Cayman R would be seeking quietness. It's a skillful enhancement that draws you into its unique world when you want to enjoy spirited driving.
The initial acceleration is brisk, and the acceleration performance is superb, providing enjoyment even without being pressed back into the seat.
The term "sensory evaluation" exists in the automotive world. It's about defining aspects like the transient characteristics of controls (e.g., the setting for steering weight and vehicle response speed) and acceleration, centered on human sensibility – "How can we make the driver feel most comfortable?" In the Cayman R, these elements have been meticulously refined.
Porsche Cayman R | Porsche Cayman R
The 911's younger sibling and rival!?
Test Drive: The Cayman R, Top Model of the Cayman! (3)
The Thrill of Sports Driving Enjoyed Thanks to Low Center of Gravity and Mid-Engine Layout
The Cayman R I test drove was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.FerrariIn an era where Ferrari has transitioned to automatics (dual-clutch), it's a pleasure that Porsche continues to offer a manual gearbox, even in the new 911. While it's true that cars can be driven faster with a dual-clutch transmission, as evidenced by the PDK-equipped Cayman R, operating the gears is a great joy, especially for drivers who favor sports cars.
For some reason, the shift feel of the Cayman R reminded me of the Porsche rear-wheel-drive sports car, the 968, from years ago. It lacks the directness of the 911. Of course, the feel is still excellent; starting in first gear, quickly shifting to second, and then accelerating strongly, one can be intoxicated by the power that hits you like a bolt from the blue around the torque peak of 4,700 rpm. This is precisely the great appeal of the manual transmission Cayman R.
The ride quality is somewhat firm, as expected from a sports chassis. However, it's not so uncomfortable as to displease a passenger, as the "R" designation doesn't mean it's solely for track use, but rather for main road driving. On winding roads, however, the benefits of the low center of gravity due to the flat-six engine (plus the Cayman R is 20mm lower than the Cayman S) and the natural handling characteristics of the mid-engine layout allow you to truly savor the thrill of sports driving.
The steering is precise, and the car's movements follow the driver's intentions exactly. The 330 ps engine powerfully propels the car out of corners. The moment you enter a winding road, you'll be convinced that choosing this car was the right decision.
Porsche Cayman R | Porsche Cayman R
The 911's younger sibling and rival!?
Test Drive: The Cayman R, Top Model of the Cayman! (4)
Was the Cayman R What the Next 911 Should Be? (?)
The Cayman R with a 6-speed manual transmission costs 9.8 million yen. This is 2.26 million yen more than the Cayman S, which is priced at 7.54 million yen. Furthermore, numerous options are available, including ceramic brakes. If you select these, the price could exceed that of a former 911.
Whether this price is high or low is a matter of the buyer's values, so there's no room to argue (it's always difficult to discuss the price of luxury cars). However, it is undeniable that the Cayman R strongly embodies the spirit that Porsche originally intended for its compact mid-engine sports cars, more so than other Cayman series.Porscheis undeniable.
The current 911 lacks the "lightness" impression that it had up until the 993 generation. While powerful, there's a momentary "lag" when starting off. Although it's at a level that can be overlooked, there are users in the world who find this unsatisfactory as a sports car characteristic.
The Cayman R possesses certain "performance" characteristics that the 911, which must now be larger due to safety requirements and pursue comfort to rival competitors, had to leave behind.
To reiterate, it's enjoyable to imagine the Cayman R as a glimpse into a future that might have been, a direction the 911 could have taken. It's agile, handles well, and offers a peak experience of sports driving. In that sense, I felt it might be an indispensable model for Porsche.
Porsche Cayman R | Porsche Cayman R
Body Dimensions | Length 4,345 x Width 1,800 x Height 1,285 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,340 kg
Engine | 3.4-liter flat-six
Maximum Output | 330 ps (243 kW)
Maximum Torque | 370 Nm / 4,750 rpm
Transmission | 6-speed MT
Price | 9.8 million yen