981 Cayman Launch

[Dylan1]

ORIGINAL: Nick_USA Didn't like the 'chrome' trim around the driving lamps nor the smaller lower rear boot.

agree totally Nick they tried to convince us that overall the back boot was the same if not bigger.....but linda was not to be convinced!!! anyway,after making linda sit with our two dogs on her lap for our trip to our country walk on monday she now wants us to get our 4th 911 so she can sit in the front without the pooches[]

 

[Lancerlot]

I in Bristol on Friday and Exeter next Wednesday if anyone wants to come and say "hello". Regards, Clive

 

[colski1961]

I'm over to Aberdeen for the launch on the evening of the 12th and hoping to get a test drive in a new S the day after....no word on that yet, anyone else manage to get a drive after the launch event?

 

[Buddy]

The front boot seems substantially larger and I felt the rear boot may have been slightly deeper at the rear but was noticeably shorter as it didn't go into the wings so deeply. The two tone leather interior was smart as the dash top and door cappings were in Agate Grey, the Agate Grey car looked fabulous.

 

[Motorhead]

Difficult to gauge the relative sizes of the front and rear boots compared with the 987 without getting the ruler out Kevan but, subjectively, I'd agree. The roller shutter lids behind the seats were a bit wierd and the odd 2 lid storage compartment in the front boot has been deleted unfortunately, although the new arrangement looks neater. The button-fest that is the centre console could be simplified by relegating some functionality to the touch screen eg, by grouping driver and passenger HVAC and seat heating controls there, and having dual-function rotary controls incorporating buttons. Porsche seem to have adopted a "single button for every function" philosophy which makes for a very messy layout. They need to look at what competitors are doing in this respect, including their cousins in the VAG. Jeff

 

[chrisH]

Jeff, What did you think of the rear bumper and diffuser design? Good point - parking sensors are mounted into the plastic diffuser Bad point - it looks like an Audi TT Other comments: - the side intake vent appears solid black when viewed from the side and no longer uses 3 slats - What are those plastic boxes either side of the boot space at the front on the mahogany car, or is it sound system amps? - access to the battery, or brake fluid container is via removal of whole plastic rear moulding, no longer have separate hatches as on 987 The black plastic bits contrasts nicely with white body colour, but what if you choose a metallic like agate? Almost everyone I spoke to thought it was a great design[] Chris

 

[Motorhead]

Chris, The rear treatment certainly is much bulkier on than on the 987. On the whole I think that it works quite well but, as you say, it does look a bit Audi TT but then the front looks a bit Ferrari-like.! The rear parking sensors are incorporated in an add-on trim piece rather than being sited in the rear PU, so cheaper to produce (only one PU) - and easier to upgrade? I think that the two boxes on either side of the front boot house the air pump and other bits that are contained in the single box in the 987's boot. The overall look of the front boot space looks neater despite the loss of the storage compartment. White with black trim looks good. I think that some of the trim can be painted body colour by ticking the appropriate option boxes. Overall impression of the new car was very favourable. Jeff

 

[chrisH]

ORIGINAL: Motorhead Chris, I think that some of the trim can be painted body colour by ticking the appropriate option boxes. Jeff

I looked into this when speccing e.g. rear diffuser or mirrors lower section in body colour, like my 987 is. It is either very expensive so would be cheaper to get it done after delivery, or not available. Another thing came up last night was black painted wheels, those I spoke to (the older set) didn't like the gangster image or didnt know it was no longer a factory option.

 

[Motorhead]

I quite like the contrast that the silver wheels provide, although the black with silver rims and coloured wheel centres look good. But why isn't the whole wheel painted black? As you say, black is no longer an option; replaced, presumably, by satin platinum. Jeff

 

[chrisH]

ORIGINAL: Motorhead I quite like the contrast that the silver wheels provide, although the black with silver rims and coloured wheel centres look good. But why isn't the whole wheel painted black? As you say, black is no longer an option; replaced, presumably, by satin platinum. Jeff

Yes, the silver 20 inch Carrera S wheels should look nice, I do not like the satin platinum "rough" look.

 

[Motorhead]

I think that the satin looks better in the flesh than on the configuator though Chris. Rather strange rough finish - looks brake dust coloured.! Jeff

 

[chrisH]

ORIGINAL: Motorhead I think that the satin looks better in the flesh than on the configuator though Chris. Rather strange rough finish - looks brake dust coloured.! Jeff

And feels like coarse sandpaper mixed with paint, have you felt them?[]

 

[Motorhead]

ORIGINAL: chrisH

ORIGINAL: Motorhead I think that the satin looks better in the flesh than on the configuator though Chris. Rather strange rough finish - looks brake dust coloured.! Jeff

And feels like coarse sandpaper mixed with paint, have you felt them?[]

Yes, a very rough finish. They must use large metallic flakes in the paint mix to achieve that. I would have thought that brake dust would adhere more easily to it. Jeff

 

[Buddy]

Regarding the black plastic, most if not all can be painted according to the options list but in my view it should be acceptable to leave the splitter and rear defuser in the original black ( cheaper to replace if scuffed ) but maybe paint the underside of the mirrors and certainly the side intakes. There is also the thing of how to top up liquids? Not sure of the RH instrument dial but according to something I saw there is oil pressure as an option on the monitoring list so that should be available for display. Less cubby holes under the front boot lid but I liked the shaping of the firewall so why didn't they put the woofer up there? The position looks built for it! I liked the two tone leather, less reflective below the screen but really disliked the std non leather upholstery.[:'(]

 

[Motorhead]

Kevan, I seem to recall that ChrisH said that, amongst other things, the RH TFT display can be used to select coolant temp, oil temp and pressure. The two big "knobs" at the rear of the engine cover give access for oil and coolant replenishment. I assume that battery, washer fluid and brake/clutch fluid top-up points are beneath the large cover in the front boot. Jeff

 

[chrisH]

Kevan, I think this depends what body colour you choose, white contrasts nicely with the black plastic so I wounld spend money on the extra painting, but if you go for a metallic then it may look better all the same. My silver 987 has painted mirrors and rear diffuser, I didn't have it done though. To top up the fluids the only one you need to remove the rear cover to access is the brake fluid, but you can see the level to check it with the cover in place. I think the screen washer bottle is still accessible. Yes, the right hand TFT displays oil pressure, temp., water temp whilst always showing fuel gauge and range in miles. When in Nav display mode the fuel gauge disappears until the range is ~50 miles when it pops back up. I think this display is great improvement. Chris

 

[Buddy]

On the subject of the RH dial, I had no keys so didn't go through the menu and didn't try to but normal practice is for such things only to be available with the key in place and ignition on. But I like white or silver dials and if they are chosen as an option the RH dial I believe remains black and so I'd probably stick with black dials. As with most personal choices, mine is that the splitter and defuser look fine in black but the side intakes will be better painted in whichever colour, be it a plain colour or a metallic. The door pockets were poor, I don't like the fact they are open to see in and the rear one seemed difficult to get my hand into unless as pictures seem to suggest they hinge open, I must admit I didn't try that. It's about time the Cayman had an oil pressure gauge but I'd prefer to see analogue type dials rather than TFT. Just my old fashioned preference but I prefer all instrumentation to match.

 

[Motorhead]

ORIGINAL: Buddy It's about time the Cayman had an oil pressure gauge but I'd prefer to see analogue type dials rather than TFT. Just my old fashioned preference but I prefer all instrumentation to match.

Things might get a bit cluttered if there were individual gauges for fuel, oil pressure, oil and coolant temps and ammeter/voltage though. And there's no room now on the centre console for such gauges because of the touch-screen display. Mind you, the analogue speedo is next to useless and made redundant by the digital readout. I suppose that we'll soon be seeing HUDs introduced as standard on top-end cars too. Jeff

 

[chrisH]

ORIGINAL: Motorhead

ORIGINAL: Buddy It's about time the Cayman had an oil pressure gauge but I'd prefer to see analogue type dials rather than TFT. Just my old fashioned preference but I prefer all instrumentation to match.

Things might get a bit cluttered if there were individual gauges for fuel, oil pressure, oil and coolant temps and ammeter/voltage though. And there's no room now on the centre console for such gauges because of the touch-screen display. Mind you, the analogue speedo is next to useless and made redundant by the digital readout. I suppose that we'll soon be seeing HUDs introduced as standard on top-end cars too. Jeff

I think the TFT solution is a very good one; its allows you to select the NAV and a host of other info without taking your eyes too far off the road. There is no need for cluttered instrument panels like a 60s aircraft anymore. I suppose they have to keep the speedo but that is redundant these days with digital speedos and shows how out of date the MOT requirement is, whereas TPMS as now displayed on the TFT, just as well as it will become mandatory in 2014/15.

 

[Buddy]

For years we have had several gauges in one housing such as fuel level and water temp, the addition of an oil pressure readout would not have been difficult, 944's and 968's had them but not the Boxster or Cayman, too many instruments can be a distraction, likewise they could design the instruments to have a small digital figure appear in the rev counter display to warn say of something approaching the operating limits in good time before an alarm is triggered even without having a permanent gauge. Maybe some who don't understand gauges and their indications prefer out of sight out of mind but I and others who do understand such things like to have the information available. The only thing I have missed on my instrument panel in both the Boxster and the Cayman is an oil pressure gauge.