Porsche Cayman 2013 News

German sports car maker Porsche have published 3D printing plans for their Cayman coupe, and a video showing how it's done. Naturally, the first thought is that this is a great way to get a new tiny scale model car -- or a fleet of them, if you wish.Watch the desktop version of the 3D print a Porsche Cayman video here. But there are suggestions the plans could be scalable, with the only restriction being how large your 3D printer is. And that opens up a whole world of possibilities... even before you start thinking about the paint options.Also watch: Porsche Cayman S trailer here.The video shows you'll still want to do a little final finishing to get the best result. And with a bit of coding knowledge or craft knife handiwork you could probably even turn the Cayman into a convertible Boxster -- or a completely new variant limited only by your imagination.The Porsche Cayman 3D printing plans can be downloaded from the official website and any creation can shared on social media with a #3DCayman hashtag.  

You know you're getting old when car comfort is more important than a stoplight sprint. Either that or, like me, you've recently spent too much time with doctors and comfort suddenly becomes the single most important thing in your driving day.I love the Ferrari 458, but right now I would hobble straight past the rip-snorter Italian thoroughbred on the way to a cushy Jaguar XJ limo. It would be the same situation for my first-choice funster, the Porsche Cayman.I've recently driven a race-prepared Fiat 500 Abarth and the pain was almost - almost - worse than the pleasure of romping the pocket rocket around the high-speed swoops and curves of Phillip Island. I was more than happy to slide back into the cushiness of a Chrysler 300 for the drive home, even if the seats in the motown monster don't give as much support as I normally like.The ride back to the airport got me thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of a number of vehicles that have recently passed through the Carsguide garage, focusing on how they make you feel in the body instead of in the head. Every week there are emails to CarsGuide from people of age, asking about upgrading - from a conventional passenger car into something in the SUV style that's easier on the hips and legs at mounting and dismounting time.An SUV can look like a good idea on the comfort front, but lots have bench-flat seats, crappy ergonomics and nowhere near enough suspension compliance. The Subaru Forester has a nice ride, but I prefer the seats in the Toyota RAV4. On the car front, the new Nissan Pulsar has seats that do nothing for me, but the Renault Clio is surprisingly comfy for a little, affordable car.My top favourite seat is a Recaro racing bucket that is almost shrink-wrapped to my shape, like a bathtub full of jelly that provides perfect support. But it's just about the toughest seat to get into or away from. So, right now, the first-choice comfort car is a Range Rover. It's stupidly expensive, but everything works for me, from a body that drops down on its air springs for easy access to beautifully-shaped front buckets finished in lovely leather and even a user-friendly automatic gearbox that means my left leg never has to move out of its comfort zone.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

And yes, that means not just the upcoming 918 Spyder and the 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, but also upcoming versions of the Cayenne, and even the 'sacred' mid or rear-engine sports cars — the 911, Boxster, and Cayman.The Panamera S E-Hybrid, which Porsche says is the first luxury plug-in hybrid (other than the Fisker Karma) was first shown at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show and will go on sale toward the end of this year, with a sticker price of US$99,975 (AU$100,275).That system can run the vehicle on electric power alone for 35km, yet it has a combined output of 310kW and 589Nm of torque and can reach 96km/h in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 269km/h.Cayenne next... and 918 Spyder.On the way next is a version of the Cayenne, which will continue to also use the supercharged V6, and the 918 Spyder, which as we reported earlier this week will make a phenomenal 653kW and can get to 100km/h in just 2.8 seconds (or a top speed of more than 340km/h).In that next-generation technology, you can expect a battery pack that's more energy dense (meaning it might have fewer package sacrifices, or more capability for electric-only operation), while the brand is also developing an inductive charging system that may be used by the time it hits the market.Next-generation plug-in hybrids, Autocar notes, will include map data, to help the systems anticipate when to use engine stop-start, when to coast, and when to use more electric assist—all for even better range and fuel-efficiency.Could it be repurposed for Bentley? According to Edmunds, the hybrid powertrain for the next-generation Porsche hybrid module would be built on the Volkswagen Group's MSB platform architecture, which will debut in the 2016 Panamera. And since Bentley will be using this same platform, its cars are fair game, too—if, that is, the system can be configured to fit the British ultra-luxury marque's strong-and-smooth driving personality.The early reports come via members of the press who were invited to a Panamera Hybrid Technology workshop.Porsche isn't the only automaker to be angling toward a far greater performance hybrid lineup in a few years. Mercedes-Benz performance division AMG also has long-term plans to offer hybrid performance models, whereas Porsche's VW Group cousin, Audi, may have some hybrid models yet plans to emphasise the performance potential of diesel technology in future sports cars.www.motorauthority.com

Driving games have evolved massively from the early days of PC and console arcade. You can even get some pretty decent mobile phone sims. But what if a smartphone driving game could cross over into the real world? That's exactly what the Code of the Curve app seeks to do.At least, that's part of what it does. Capable of tracking and recording your driving -- and your car is going to be a 2014 Cayman, as that's the car this app is built to promote -- the app can give you "precision driving challenges," presumably to be conducted in a safe, closed course environment. Example scenes show the Cayman navigating a slalom and coming to a stop inside a coned-off box.It looks like the app will also focus on the social side of driving, allowing you to share your achievements and precision driving skills through the app. You can also share pics and follow the conversation at #CaymanCode.The app also shares a theme with the upcoming King of the Curve TV show which will be shown on the cable channel, Speed. The Porsche-sponsored show will pit Porsche fans, pro drivers, and celebrities against each other in a series of challenges.www.motorauthority.com 

The move has been announced following the unveiling of its impressive new Cayman coupe at the LA Auto Show.The good looking Cayman was one of the show's stars but the American base price of $52,600 is less than half the $115,000 starting sticker it will wear down under. When the difference is highlighted by Carsguide to Porsche's global boss, Matthias Mueller, he immediately promises an investigation."I didn't know this. I will get answers," Mueller says.Porsche's premium pricing policy down under comes at a time when many of its luxury rivals are cutting their tabs. Mercedes-Benz consistently brings newer models to showrooms with lower prices and even Rolls-Royce recently cut the bottom line on its flagship Phantom, but a staggering amount of more than $200,000.The good news from LA is that the new Cayman is closer than ever to the classic Porsche 911, in both design and performance. There is also extra equipment in a bigger cabin, and even 15 per cent better fuel economy. The new design also makes it much more than just a baby Boxster with a coupe roof."In short, the new version is lighter, more powerful and more fuel efficient. It is more distinctive than ever. It delivers an unmatched combination of driving dynamics," Mueller. The preview of the Cayman in Porsche heartland in California comes at the end of a year when the company has also put an all-new 911 and Boxster on the road. Production of the second-generation Cayman coupe will not begin until the first quarter of next year, with local delivers in the third quarter."This has been a milestone year for Porsche. Globally, this has been a record setting year," says Mueller. "We have sold 160,000 cars. This is the best possible proof of the customer desire for our outstanding sports cars." The Cayman does the job too, and Porsche has allowed it to creep closer to the 911 in size and style. That's no surprise, since the basic mechanical package is shared with the big brother.The styling is more mature and the body sits over a chassis that is longer and wider than before, just like the Boxster, with a basic 2.7-litre engine and a 3.4 in the Cayman S. The starter engine makes 202 kiloWatts with economy of 8.2 litres/100km and a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds as a six-speed manual, while the Cayman S numbers are 239, 8.8 and 5.0.The car retains the mid-engine layout it shares with the Boxster and that, says Porsche's technical chief Wolfgang Hatz is the big difference from the 911. "For me, the 911 is a car that people use as their first car, where the Cayman is a second car. The 911 is a two-plus-two and that is the difference," Hatz says.The basic Cayman manual is priced from $115,500 as a six-speed manual in Australia, with the bottom line rising to $155,700 for the Cayman S with a six-speed PDK manumatic transmission.

The good news is that the Cayman is closer than ever to the classic 911, in both design and performance, and the bad news is the price. At the car's official unveiling at the Los Angeles Motor Show the American pricetag is set at just $52,600, but by the time it gets to Australia next year the starting sticker will have blown out to $115,000. The strength of the Australian dollar should make things better but Porsche's down under pricing policy and around $35,000 in Federal and State Taxes - including the hated Luxury Car Tax - means the car is nowhere near as affordable as it is in Europe or America. Even so, the Cayman seems certain to steal even more sales from the 911 thanks to better performance, more equipment in a bigger cabin, and even 15 per cent better fuel economy. The design also makes it much more than just a Boxster with a coupe roof. "In short, the new version is lighter, more powerful and more fuel efficient. It is more distinctive than ever. It delivers an unmatched combination of driving dynamics," the boss of Porsche, Matthias Mueller, says at the car's unveiling. The preview of the Cayman in Porsche heartland in California comes at the end of a year when the company has also put an all-new 911 and Boxster on the road. Production of the second-generation Cayman coupe will not begin until the first quarter of next year, with local delivers in the third quarter. "This has been a milestone year for Porsche. Globally, this has been a record setting year," says Mueller. "We have sold 160,000 cars. This is the best possible proof of the customer desire for our outstanding sports cars." The Cayman does the job too, and Porsche has allowed it to creep closer to the 911 in size and style. That's no surprise, since the basic mechanical package is shared with the big brother. The styling is more mature and the body sits over a chassis that is longer and wider than before, just like the Boxster, with a basic 2.7-litre engine and a 3.4 in the Cayman S. The starter engine makes 202 kiloWatts with economy of 8.2 litres/100km and a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds as a six-speed manual, while the Cayman S numbers are 239, 8.8 and 5.0. The car retains the mid-engine layout it shares with the Boxster and that, says Porsche's technical chief Wolfgang Hatz is the big difference from the 911. "For me, the 911 is a car that people use as their first car, where the Cayman is a second car. The 911 is a two-plus-two and that is the difference," Hatz says.  

The compact coupe has a big job in the latest Porsche lineup... ...winning first-time buyers to the brand before they can afford to graduate to a 911 with a $200,000-plus pricetag. It will be previewed at the LA Motor Show in November.