Despite the fact that Lotus seems to have the inside line on electric sportscars, longtime Porsche tuning firm Ruf has chosen the Cayman for its new electric supercar. Comparisons to the Tesla Roadster are sure to come up, and we're happy to oblige. Compared to the latest Tesla drivetrain, the Ruf is expected to debut with a bit less overall power (150kW compared to 185kW) but will have considerably more twisting force (650Nm versus 375Nm). In other words, if the Ruf were a hatchet, the Tesla may be a scalpal, so to speak. A lithium-ion battery pack of unknown output will provide power to the motor. We don't yet know if the Ruf will sport multiple gears, but it seems distinctly possible in order to attain its planned top speed of around 125 miles per hour. We'd bet that any comparisons between the two electric sportscars will end at price, as the Ruf is sure to command an even heftier sum than the $100k Tesla Roadster. We'll find out next month what that price is and if it's worth it. Uh never mind... of course it'll be worth it.
The Cayman has two events to get ready for: the Cayman S Sport, and a facelift. A blacked-out Cayman with larger wheel arches and bolt-on fender flares was spotted recently, and it could be a tester for either car. With the rumored suspension tweaks for the Cayman S Sport, this could be making room for a serious set of rubber to take advantage of, not to mention 303 hp. Or perhaps the next Cayman will get some bigger shoes... and that wouldn't be such a bad thing either.
With both the Boxster RS 60 Spyder and Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 already sold out, Porsche is moving on to its next pair of special edition mid-engine sportscars. Both of the new exclusive models feature a boost of a modest eight horsepower, but what differentiates them from their standard stablemates is more in the trim.
The Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2 is now decked out in Carrara White, from the exterior body color and the 19" SportDesign wheels to the center console and instrument faces. Grey racing stripes and a grey roof with black leather, meanwhile, complement the white theme.
The Cayman S Sport takes more of a "GT3 Junior" approach. The car comes standard in either orange or bright green, with the scripted name popping out of the retro black stripe on the lower flank, which is complemented by black wheels, black sideview mirrors and a blacked-out interior. (Black, red, yellow, white and silver are also available for the exterior color.) The Cayman S Sport also comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), a sports exhaust system, Alcantara grip trim, bi-xenon headlamps, the Sports Chrono Package and sports seats, and the ride height is dropped by fifteen millimeters.
Only 500 examples of the Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2 will be offered, along with 700 units of the Cayman S Sport.
The Cartribe crew is living up their reputation as the newest embargo breakers in the biz, with a follow up to their original story that the Porsche Cayman is getting a serious Sport injection ahead of the new model's debut next year.
The Porsche Cayman S Sport is packing 303 hp, up from 295 hp, and will come equipped with Porsche's Active Stability Management system, a 10mm suspension drop, blacked-out wheels and a two-tone paint scheme aping the 911 GT3.
Pricing is rumored to be set at £49,890 and expect more details to be revealed shortly.
The Porsche Cayman is due for a makeover, and to coincide with the automaker's 60th anniversary, Porsche will be offering a Sport version of its mid-engine coupe as a fitting send off before the next generation arrives in 2009.
CarTribe is reporting that the Cayman S Sport will be equipped with some of the same kit featured on the Boxster S Sport, including a chronos package, upgraded brakes and suspension, along with a two-tone paint scheme that could ape the Porsche 911 GT3. Power upgrades will be nominal and pricing is expected to be around £47,000 in the UK. Porsche might roll out the Cayman S Sport at the London Motor Show this week, but it's more likely to be soft launched later this year.
We're already smitten by the current-generation Porsche Cayman and its older brother, the Boxster, and it now appears as if the iconic German automaker is poised to improve the breed even further. What first began with forum rumblings now appears to be official information from the factory. The revised Boxster S and Cayman S models will get direct injection and the new seven speed PDK transmission along with a limited slip differential. That DI is responsible for an increase of 25 ponies to 320 hp along with 273 lb.-ft. of torque in the Cayman. Lesser models don't get the DI, but will get a displacement bump from 2.7- to 2.9-liters and a corresponding jump to 265 horsepower. The Boxster and Boxster S each offer ten fewer ponies than the Cayman.
Along with the new PDK transmission, which produces faster shifts than the conventional six-speed manual 'box, the Sport Chrono package will be available along with Launch Control. As is often the case with Porsche, a comparison is required to notice the revised front and rear fascias, but after some examination, we like what we see. Take a look at the galleries below of both the revised Cayman S and Boxster S models to judge for yourself.
To many, the Porsche Cayman is just a look-alike twin to the drop-top Porsche Boxster. While it shares a platform, underpinnings, and even engine choices with its two-seat sibling, the Cayman performs a decidedly different role and delivers even more gratifying performance. Porsche dropped off a top-of-the-line Cayman S in the Autoblog Garage. It offers a more powerful engine and larger brakes over the standard Cayman model. Follow the jump to read our impressions on the Porsche Cayman S after we held the keys in our hands for a week.
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Porsche has announced that production of its Boxster and Cayman models is to shift to component supplier Magna Steyr's facility in Austria beginning in 2012. Last year the contract with Finland's Valmet to assemble the two associated mid-engined models was extended through 2012, after which the terms will expire and Magna will take over.
Porsche CFO and deputy chairman Holger P. Harter stressed that the decision was not a vote against Valmet – which has to date built over 200,000 vehicles for Porsche – but rather the result of several elements that Magna brought to the table: firstly, Magna's production is scalable so that it will only manufacture what Porsche's own factory in Zuffenhausen (where the rear-engined 911 series is made) cannot handle. Secondly, Magna is able to assume some development responsibilities along with the final assembly. Thirdly, Magna's proposal was more financially attractive (read: cheaper) than Valmet's. And finally, Magna already supplies various components to Porsche – including convertible roofs and body panels – creating the opportunity for future synergies between Porsche and various Magna subsidiaries.
Now that's more like it. After the unfortunately-styled Tornado GTR700, we were afraid the Porsche tuners at Gemballa had lost their minds. Fortunately, they were quickly back on their feet and only days later they've given us the new Cayman S-based Gemballa GT 4.0L RS.
The business end of Gemballa's Cayman boosts engine capacity from 3.4- to 4.0-liters, and although Gemballa haven't released official output numbers, that's sure to give the Cayman a serious kick in the ass. Gemballa weren't about to go sleeper on us, so they've fitted a full new aero kit, 20-inch multispoke racing rims, a whole mess of silver carbon fiber bits and a custom two-tone leather and Alcantara cockpit, plus a new exhaust and adjustable sport suspension. For the tamer crowd, Gemballa also offers the more sedate GT package that stops short of boring out the engine and features a more reserved body kit – that is, in relation to the bonkers GT 4.0L RS.
It's been rumored for some time that Audi and Porsche would be teaming up to produce a handful of new models over the next five years. From a manufacturing standpoint, both automakers could benefit from shared development and production costs, while consumers would get their hands on some very compelling product.
The cornerstone of Audi's confusing salvo to "put old luxury on notice" is the expansion of its lineup to fill every conceivable niche. The extension of the "R" line of products – beginning with the R8 – is rumored to include a convertible version of Audi's midship V8 super coupe, along with an R4, R6 and an R10.
Details on the R6, which could slot in between Porsche's Cayman/Boxster and 911 range, and the R10 are scarce, but the next generation Boxster will share a platform with Audi, allowing the four-ringed crew to offer a midship coupe of its own. The R4 is expected to sport the TT's 2.0-liter TFSI four producing 268 hp or a 2.5-liter five-cylinder making upwards of 300 hp. Porsche and Audi are also likely to share everything from aluminum space frames to high-output diesels, torque-vectoring AWD systems and dual-clutch transmissions.
The only concern is how this massive amount of cross-pollination between brands could affect the sales of both automakers. Choice is good, but only if the market can sustain the amount of product being offered.
