981 Cayman on its way
- Thread starter chrisH
- Start date
Up on the Porsche UK web now: http://www.porsche.com/microsite/cayman/uk.aspx?pc=981CX_OWN_GBR_HP-Teaser (Hope the link works!)
I agree Martin, plenty of photo coverage out there now and a lot of chatter on the US sites and on PH. I think that it's a really good looking car, subtly different from the 987, with a much beefier look to my eyes. It makes the 987 look rather dainty by comparison (check out the PH site where the thread All New 981 Cayman - Out in November has some interesting side-by-side pictures of the two cars). Looking forward to seeing it here in the flesh next Spring. Jeff
I feel that the reasons for different model launches being spaced out as they are have probably been caused by the previous habits of Porsche development. Even using the same teams for development of the Boxster and Cayman they habitually stick to the same chronological order and so the order goes 911, Boxster and then Cayman but there are differences in the cars which would delay one against the other so I see no problem about the separation. Separation though is probably due to the marketing department wanting to space things out to give them time to have a release date aligned to the various motor shows. However, by the time they get around to the Cayman the marketing department is rudderless and have lost the plot, take the driver's selection, it is totally ignored! They don't even have a Cayman watch and yet there are watches for every other model, several for the bus sorry, Cayenne and Panamera! As for a hot Cayman, there should have been a LSD option and turbo ( 400bhp+ ) option available from the Gen1. Wouldn't a turbo with PASM & PCCB have been a winner?
Flat6 You are so on the money let's hope Porsche are reading your post too However whilst on about "contrived" you forgot to mention that they are even making the 981 Kmen wait for the PSE just like they did for the first 6 months production of the 981 Boxster [
] What is all that nonsense about!
] What is all that nonsense about! Flat6, I understand your frustration with Porsche's obsession with keeping the Cayman distanced from the 911.[] Having owned a Gen II for 3 years I think it is a fantastic drive every time I take it out. It is unfortunate that the Cayman has this image of being a something and nothing Porsche with the purists, you have owned one and know what I mean, but I wonder how many 911 addicts have actually driven one in anger. Its interesting to talk to the PEC instructors about it v's the 911. I too crave an R version (the Ruf Cayman Turbo always seems to be ultimate car) and agree we will have to wait some years for that, in the meantime let's see what the road testers have to say, they are aready quoting 10 seconds quicker round the ring than the GenII car. I think looks-wise at least it is the best looking Porsche sports coupe yet. Chris
] Having owned a Gen II for 3 years I think it is a fantastic drive every time I take it out. It is unfortunate that the Cayman has this image of being a something and nothing Porsche with the purists, you have owned one and know what I mean, but I wonder how many 911 addicts have actually driven one in anger. Its interesting to talk to the PEC instructors about it v's the 911. I too crave an R version (the Ruf Cayman Turbo always seems to be ultimate car) and agree we will have to wait some years for that, in the meantime let's see what the road testers have to say, they are aready quoting 10 seconds quicker round the ring than the GenII car. I think looks-wise at least it is the best looking Porsche sports coupe yet. Chris
Not for the first time on this forum, I find myself totally in agreement with the sentiments expressed by '6' regarding the apparent lack of enthusiasm demonstrated by Porsche towards the Cayman. When will Porsche marketing remove their "911 blinkers" and allow the Cayman to demonstrate it's true potential? Perhaps things will change now that VAG are in effective control and the placement of Porsche vehicles within the Group will come under closer scrutiny. And maybe the introduction of the (2.4 litre?) turbocharged flat-four will be an opportunity to do something different; hopefully not downgrading performance whilst improving fuel economy and emissions. Whatever happens, I doubt that a 350hp Cayman figures prominently in the management's plans right now. On the topic of PSE, maybe its delay isn't as significant an issue with the coupe as it was with the soft-top where the exhaust note is likely to be more prominent in the cabin - especially when the hood's down! Disappointing though that Porsche appear to be holding back, yet again. Jeff Edit: Just to add this comment from PH. I'm really surprised that the European take-up was so low, although lack of availabilty and the knowledge that the 981 was on the horizon must have played their parts. The 981 can't do any worse, and it would be interesting to see the equivalent figures for the US market and ROW. "Arriving in UK showrooms March next year and launched at the LA motor show today (Wednesday), the new version of the coupe Boxster is hoped will boost the popularity of what so far has been Porsche's slowest-selling car. Last year in Europe just under 2,000 found homes, compared to 3,000 for the Boxster, 11,500 for the 911 and 18,000 for the Cayenne. It was also trounced by the Panamera at 7,500 sold."
James Herne
New member
For some unknown reason, Cayman 981, too, is built on the Boxster (like with the 987) and not vice versa (which would be the usual practise for other manufacturers). This can be seen from the weight which is exactly the same for the 981 Coupé and 981 Roadster. With the 991, the Cabriolet has different floorpan and is 70 kg heavier than the Coupé. Some more interesting numbers: Cayman S 3.4 is 25% cheaper than 991 Coupé 3.4 and Boxster S is a whopping 39% cheaper than 991 Cabriolet. Pricy rear seats. Check the comparison between Cayman and Boxster and performance comparison between Cayman S and 991 Coupé here: http://stuttcars.com/porsche-models/cayman/981 40+ photos, too.
I suggest that it's purely for cost reasons James, as the two cars can then share chassis platforms, systems, etc. and the principal differences are in the BIW and spring and damper settings. The Boxster was of course developed first and Porsche appear to have continued to develop the Cayman as an add-on model. The Cayman undoubtedly is heavier than it needs to be but probably benefits from the additional stiffness. I note also that PDK-equipped cars are a whopping 30kg heavier too. So much for weight-saving measures..! Jeff
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