In a clever reveal, Porsche's models took on the fashions of each of the six decades of Porsche sportscars in America, while pulling off consecutive car covers before the Cayman was revealed.
The new lightweight version of the mid-engined, Boxster-derived coupe, the Cayman R sports the same 3.4-liter, direct-injected flat six that's tucked into the standard Cayman S. A 10-horsepower boost puts total output at 330 hp, and with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox, the Cayman R is a few ticks quicker than its hardtop siblings.
Porsche claims a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds for the Cayman R with the manual transmission, and 4.4 seconds for the PDK dual-clutch shifter when outfitted with the Sport Chrono package. Top speed numbers reach 175 mph for the manual Cayman R, and 174 mph for the dual-clutch car.
Porsche credits a 121-pound weight loss in the Cayman R to lightweight materials, and some deleted features. The coupe drops its air conditioning and audio system, and gets aluminum door skins, interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS, and carbon-fiber-backed sport seats.
In their places, Porsche fits a standard limited-slip differential, front and rear aero add-ons and 19-inch wheels also found on the Boxster Spyder roadster--and also gets black body details including a Porsche decal down its flanks.
The Cayman R's suspension is lowered about 0.79 inches for handling, Porsche adds.
The 2012 Cayman R carries a sticker price of $66,300, and pulls into showrooms in February of next year.
[Porsche]
