Caymans to be 4 cylinders from next year???

[Masher]

reading the press I understand Caymans (and Boxters) are to be 4 cylinder turbocharged cars from the 2016 mid-term facelift. is it just me or does that take away something that is deeply 'Porsche' about these cars I.e. Six cylinder normally aspirated grunt.

thoughts?

cheers
Mick

 

[Motorhead]

Sign of the times I'm afraid Mick, with most manufacturers - Porsche included - heading down the smaller capacity turbo route to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy.

With the exception of the GT3, next month will see flat-6 turbo engines introduced across the 991 range and it seems as though Porsche is trying to make a greater distinction between the 991 and 981 ranges by introducing the cheaper to produce flat-4 engine.

We'll have to see what the press has to say about the flat-6 turbo's sound and power and torque characteristics, but you can be sure that something will be lost from the characteristic howl of the N/A flat-6 engines.

The fat-4 turbo could well turn out to sound like a Scooby and if Car magazine's figures are to be believed, it'll be interesting if the torque hikes compensate for the apparent power reductions.

Jeff

 

[Buddy]

But there was an outcry or so I'm told when Porsche went from flat 4 to flat 6 as it "wasn't Porsche" Porsche do make all efforts to make their cars sound Porsche so let's wait and see.

 

[MrDemon]

be usable though, all this long gearing has killed the mark for me, hate all the new cars. Turbo might make them enjoyable again to drive in normal driving, may sound daft, but if Porsche want to ruin the cars with long gearing then we need more torque.

Not a fan of a 4 pot though, My Audi TTRS was a amazing engine 5 pot ,cannot wait to see the mk3 TTRS might make a great daily, keep older pork for the fun drives.

I see the GTS are 2.5L 370 BHp might get me into one as a daily. 987.2 Spyder was the last really Fun car Porsche made so will have to keep that.

 

[964RS]

Shock and awe - Porsche have officially enabled sales territories to place the Cayman below the Boxster. I promise this is not a wind-up.

 

[rob.kellock]

About time too - can't think of any other range of vehicles where the convertible model is cheaper than the coupe! Jag get it the right way round with the F-Type!

 

[Motorhead]

According to the latest edition of Car magazine, the 2016 981.2 range will comprise:

[ul][*]Boxster/Cayman 240bhp 2.0-litre flat four turbo [*]Boxster S/Cayman S 300bhp 2.5-litre flat four turbo[*]Boxster GTS/Cayman GTS 370bhp 2.5-litre flat four turbo[/ul]The power figures for the lesser models sound a bit disappointing, being significantly less than those for the existing cars, but I'm guessing that the 2.0-litre and the 370hp 2.5-litre will have around 300lbf-ft and 350lbf-ft of torque respectively. These values are a significant hike on the equivalent values of 214lbf-ft and 280lbf-ft for the current Cayman and Cayman GTS. The extra grunt will give the cars a very different feel for those of us used to the flat-6 characteristics but, as MrD has said, it'll complement the long gearing and also perhaps make the cars more attractive to daily drivers who use them in heavy traffic.

Swings and roundabouts really and pricing the base Cayman below its Boxster equivalent could make it more attractive for entry-level purchasers, although I think it would be better to keep the power distinction in the S and GTS Boxster and Cayman variants.

Looking on the bright side, judging by the stellar power nad torque outputs available from VAG's 2.0-litre I-4 turbo engine, Porsche's flat-4 turbo engines should be capable of significantly higher outputs with a bit of in-house or after-market tuning. Assuming there's one fitted, I'm interested to see how Porsche has packaged the intercooler for this engine.

Jeff

 

[Buddy]

As it is the torque that gives the performance in acceleration and peak revs are rarely used certainly in the top two gears the higher gearing that has developed is understandable and there to justify claims of lower emissions, if you drive in the lower gears you won't get the economy but they do go well, the very long top gear on the PDK is only useful for rolling along at speed and in the 50 limit popular on many of our motorways we can hardly use it! But some want bragging figures of high BHP. Turbos give more torque and once the launch is over next thing we hear will be that the BHP has been increased. It harmed potential sales of the Cayman in the first place that it was so much more expensive than the Boxster for the same chassis and many saw it as better to get a well spec'd Boxster than a basic Cayman even in S guise. This year the Cayman S is ten years old and the 0-62 dash gets quicker as for whichever model is your preference hopefully it's the one you drive.

I'm looking forward to the opportunity to drive one of the new 2.5's

 

[JustinC]

Coming to Porsche as a newbie from Audi's for the last few years I do find it about an assimilation to the VAG brand. The same has happened to Lamborghini as has been mentioned on Top Gear since the Gallardo launch 12 years ago. Porsche must now fit firmly into a stable of brands. With that comes better interior tech, lower financing deals and a greater brand owned dealer network but also the necessity to fit in to the group on brand positioning when it comes to the engine, power and with that the ultimately desirability. There's no way the Cayman can continue as a flat-6 if the R8 is to become a V6 turbo in base spec.

I'd imagine the current flat-6 cars will have very, very solid residuals for some time and the 987.2 Spyder's and R's just became the car equivalent of a gold plated pension scheme.

 

[MrDemon]

An R8 looks better than the Lambo and for 60k less both have circa 600 BHp.

brand positioning seems a non issue

 

[JustinC]

Agreed that the R8 in V10 spec is a pretty well priced car. Although subjectivity about it's looks doesn't make up for the brand image that Lamborghini carries over and above the Audi badge image. I'd imagine the typical Lamborghini buyer doesn't feel aggrieved that you can buy a cheaper R8 with as much power and I'd say the R8 wouldn't sell unless people could tell themselves exactly that thought, that it's like a Lamborghini for less money, which means brand positioning is prevalent across the brands.

In terms of Porsche, I think brand positioning is very well covered and acknowledged well beyond these forums and has been throughout the life of the Cayman especially mentioned in terms of the power output, displacement size, turbo charging etc. Of course emissions targets are affecting everything in the VAG group but if you consider the ultimate volumes of Cayman's that Porsche produces (according to the recent EoY report) the Cayman could remain a 6 cyl car in terms of the effect on average emissions. It's the better selling models that affect those issues much more than the Cayman.

 

[Motorhead]

If Car's figures are to be believed then this will be the first time the Cayman and Boxster have the same power ouputs. This - coupled with the fact that it's rumoured that in some markets the [entry level?] Cayman will be priced lower than the Boxster - could mean that Porsche is planning to negate or reverse the price differential between the two lines, as is the case for all other manufacturers.

Personally, I hope that a difference is maintained between the two product lines but if the power ouputs are the same then there seems little or no justification for a price differential, especially since I'd expect the Boxster to be more expensive to produce than the Cayman.

Jeff

 

[Masher]

It would be lovely to think that in creating a price differential one model is reduced in price. The cynical side of me suggests one model will be raised in price. Never mind, this is the Cayman area so happy days []

cheers

Mick

 

[Buddy]

If it came to a choice of 600BHP cars, I'd take the R8 over the Lambo as I see Lambos as being for show whereas the R8 is a more practical and laid back style but I don't really need 600BHP so.... as it is, I'll stick with the 320PS of the Gen2 with it's two boots, enjoy the fast gear change of the PDK and use sport+ whenever I feel the need. I'm glad that the price differential is going on the new cars as this will give the Cayman a fairer level against the Boxster in the market place and I'm sure it will increase Cayman sales, base prices aren't bad but many options should be fitted as standard

 

[Motorhead]

Kevan,

I think we'd all like to see an improvement in the basic spec of the cars. Given the asking price, items such as auto lights/wipers, auto-dimming interior mirror, cruise control and climate control should be included in the higher spec cars, at least. At more than £2k, PCM is also far too expensive for something that's in everyday use.

Somehow I can't see Porsche having a change of heart when they're raking in so much money for expensive options but now that they have access to the VAG parts bin, with luck the cost of options will be reduced. Next generation Porsches will also benefit from the latest VAG technology which will enable them to get rid of the outdated and hideous button-fest that is the centre console by incorporating many of the functions in multi-controls and in a central display menu.

Jeff

 

[howe]

The four should leave a bit more room for good access in the engine bay which will be a blessing.

 

[Motorhead]

I'm not sure that's going to be the case. The turbo - including all the associated plumbing and an intercooler - is going to take up much of the freed-up space. I reckon that it could end up being even more cluttered and anyway, engine access is limited since it requires the removal of the engine cover which is bolted in position.

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

TPC have a kit now for the 981 - see..

[link=http://www.planet-9.com/news-items/110184-tpc-turbo-kits-981-model-line-now-available.html]http://www.planet-9.com/n...ine-now-available.html[/link]

 

[Motorhead]

A neat bit of plumbing Ralph, but no intercooler as yet for the 981 installation.

I presume that all the flat-4 turbos will be intercooled to achieve the Car magazine quoted outputs. Configuring the intercooler ducting for the flat-6 turbo in the 991.2 Carreras won't be a problem since there's plenty of experience with the Turbo, but it will be more challenging for the mid-engined cars.

Jeff

 

[carreraboy]

Shock and awe - Porsche have officially enabled sales territories to place the Cayman below the Boxster. I promise this is not a wind-up.

Better buy your Cayman R PDK now Paul, only 100 UK cars!