Cayman R, the More Perfect Porsche

If we thought Porsche made the perfect car with the Cayman S, a more perfect car now appears in the Cayman R. How did Porsche manage to get more out of perfect?

Lighter, lower, barer, more power about sums it up. "More from less" was the driving philosophy. A more palpable, direct connection to the road is the result. Anything but ordinary describes the experience delivered in the Cayman R.

Lighter

Cayman went on a diet and shed 121 lbs. If the ladies can do it, so can a car. Oh yeah, some substitutions were made, like switching out the doors and wheels with aluminum and lightweight construction of both bucket seats. Also, the cockpit "took it all off" by paring things down to bare essentials inside.

Barer

You can get your Cayman R with or without air or sound. A heavy air conditioner can put back on pounds you don't need. The option will cost you more than "two large," however. Another weight-adding option--a radio--is free for the asking.

Lower

They put the whole car down closer to the ground. Measured in millimeters, they lowered the chassis by 20 of them and the center of gravity by 22, compared to Cayman S. Air slides over Cayman R like melting butter over hot buns. But watch those neighborhood speed bumps catching low parts even at a crawl.

More perfect power

At 330 bhp, Cayman R has it all over Cayman S. Measured in horses without hoofs, Cayman S's powerhouse at 295 is surpassed. The higher power-to-weight ratio of 8.81 lb/hp delivers a boost for R over S. Not only is this baby fast, but at last makes the direct connection between driver and road more intimate than ever.

Gemstone green

Now comes the most delightful part of all. Cayman R comes in the sublime lime color called "Peridot Metallic." Talk about coloring the car like the gem that it is! And it's standard, costing not a speck more than standard Porsche white, black, red, or yellow.

Ladies, matching your car color to your shoes was last year's style statement. Keep it current: Let me make you a matching necklace of peridot and pearls to wear with your new Cayman R!

Disclaimer
Sorry to say that Porsche gave me no special break on a new Cayman R for writing this piece. We'll see about working a deal on matching jewelry, however. (I wish -- wink, wink!)

Sources:
http://www.nationalpost.com/Preview+2012+Porsche+Cayman/4411364/story.html
The new Cayman R, Radically Porsche, Edition 09/10, Porsche promotional publication, printed in Germany.