Rumour round-up: Everyone’s gone Cayman crazy
Newswheel staff :: 11 May 2005 :: Filed under Mid / rear engine sportscar, Porsche, Porsche Cayman, Europe & UK, US
[Click on an image to view]
Tin-top Boxster has world-and-dog in a tizz
OK, first the facts as we know them. Porsche has confirmed the Cayman S, based on the crushingly successful Boxster mid-engine sports car, will pack a 3.4-litre variant of the classic flat six boxer engine punching out 295bhp. Price-wise, the launch model will fall between the flagship Boxster S and entry level 911 Carrera 2. However, Porsche’s Hans Riedel has recently been bigging-up the $50,000 coupe segment in relation to the Cayman, so the car will likely be positioned close to the Boxster S (yours for $53,000 Stateside) rather than bang in the middle.
If those are the known knowns on the Cayman, to coin a Rumsfeldism, what are the known unknowns and the, er, unknown unknowns? Well, it’s no secret the Cayman S is being pitched as an out-and-out driver’s car. However, one of the more interesting slithers of subterfuge currently doing the rounds is that the car’s kerb weight will squeak in under that of the drop-top Boxster. So, along with a scalpel-sharp mid-engine chassis, it’s expected the Cayman’s power-to-weight ratio will result in a sports car that’s quicker, point to point, than the base 911.
Flying whats?
As for the car’s design, Reidel claims the Cayman has flashy styling, but these latest spy shots prove the car will be largely a chip off the Boxster block. Perhaps the only real mystery involves the rear hatch area. Recent rumours, allegedly from Porsche focus group attendees, have centred on flying buttresses in the classic Ferrari Dino style. Problem is, Porsche has also said it plans to broaden the appeal of the Cayman compared with the Boxster by providing more storage space. If these shots are anything to go by, it looks like the final car will fall somewhere in between – a glass hatch flanked by a pair of ridges that suggest flying buttresses.
As for further variants on the Cayman theme, two additional versions look likely. The first is a Club Sport model boasting a whisker more power (310bhp or so), less weight and enthusiast options such Sport Chrono and GT3 shell bucket seats. Moving down the range, an entry level Cayman, powered by the Boxster S’s 3.2-litre flat six is on the cards, though there are also claims of a cheap-as-chips 2.7-litre Cayman. Further out on the fringe of credibility are whispers of a Targa-topped Cayman. And bringing the whole story full circle, we’ve even heard talk of a convertible Cayman. Maybe they’ll give that model a different name – hmm, Boxster sounds good…
That’s all folks
And that’s your lot…except to speculate on the impact the Cayman will have on the venerable 911. If the new sportster lives up to the hype, who’s going to want a 911? In Europe, and especially the UK, we fancy the Cayman might pinch a few sales from the 911 – we’d certainly give up a few clicks of top-end velocity for a more responsive chassis. But in Tiptronic-loving North America we doubt Porsche will have any trouble attracting new buyers to this hardcore new driving machine while retaining it’s bankers-doctors-and-lawyers 911 customer base.
Finally, if you’re fit to bursting for anything Cayman-related, hop over to the official Porsche Cayman website for the teaser trailer. It’s cheesy as hell, but we have to admit it gets the juices flowing. Enjoy.
Posted 12 May 2005, by Andy T
I want one, but sheesh, they're going to make a killing on this car. Why can't we have a 2.7 Cayman for less money than the Boxster???