Porsche Cayman News

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.

... and this picture of a Cayman prototype on German roads reveals the new look for the Boxster-based coupe.The car is more tightly wrapped around the wheels, has a larger rear window and a lower back end, while the nosecone is a one-piece camouflage to hide real details of the newcomer set for showrooms in late 2012.

The Cayman R is being unveiled on Wednesday morning as the early star of the 2010 LA Auto Show. It looks hotter, goes faster and will be on sale in Australia before the middle of next year from $165,000.It arrives as Porsche also uses California as the preview base for its 911 GTS, the tweaked hero car that will carry the brand through the final days of the current 997 and into the arrival of the next all-new 911 in 2012. The GTS is expected to account for more than half of all 911 sales in Australia next year and drives quicker and tauter than the current Carrera S.The go-fast Cayman has been on the cards since the day the Boxster-based coupe - which also shares much of its stuff with the 911 - first hit the road.The R is lighter and more powerful, which means it can sprint to 100km/h in as little as 4.7 seconds, using the Sport Chrono package on the PDK double-clutch gearbox. Top speed is 282km/h with the six-speed manual gearbox, or 280 with the PDK. The car's 3.4-litre flat six engine picks up an extra eight kiloWatts, although details on changes are not available yet.The weight savings come from aluminium doors, lightweight bucket seats and lighter alloy wheels, although Australia cars will only be 40 kilos under the Cayman S - not the 55kg of European coupes - because of extra standard equipment including the automatic aircon and Porsche Communication Management system that are dumped from overseas cars.Porsche says the use of R in the Cayman's name is deliberate, since it is reserved for the quickest of its cars. It also goes with responsive, racy and refined."The main aim during the design of the Cayman R was to improve the two-seater even further in its performance, driving dynamics and agility through consistent weight reduction," says Paul Ellis, Australian spokesman for Porsche.The R pack promise is reflected in a number of body and chassis changes, including a 20 millimetre suspension drop, a larger fixed rear spoiler, silver-painted alloys, black-framed headlamps and mirrors, and a giant Porsche decal on the side.Meanwhile, Porsche has ruled out a return to Formula One. Company chief Matthias Müller tells Carsguide there is not enough return on the potential investment in a grand prix program to justify the massive expenditure involved."Look at Abu Dhabi. Sebastian Vettel wins, Red Bull wins. We need Porsche to win," Müller says. There have been persistent rumours in the Formula One paddock for the past six months about a Porsche comeback as an engine supplier.The company won with McLaren in the 1980s, with a V6 turbo it designed but was badged as a TAG motor, in the time when Niki Lauda and Alain Prost fronted the team. But it also made a disastrous comeback attempt in the 1990s with the under-funded Footwork team, using a 3.5-litre V12 engine that was overweight and underpowered.But Porsche has been much more successful at Le Mans, where it's sports cars are the most successful of all time with a win record stretching back to the 917 in the 1970s. But there is Audi," says Müller. So Porsche is looking at its motorsport choices, but it yet to make a final decision.  

A widely varied field from the soft-roader Audi Q5 to the baby Volkswagen Polo is competing for the biggest prize in world motoring

Porsche engineers have carved away at the basic Boxster to slash 80kgs off the bottom line before re-inventing it as the new Boxster Spyder, the ‘purist's form of the Porsche sports car’.Weighing in at just 1275kg in its international trim the Spyder is the lightest car in the Porsche garage, an outcome which Porsche claims gives it the heart and soul of the legendary 550 Spyder — the car in which James Dean took his last ride on September 30, 1955.However, Porsche Australia will be putting back in at least 15kg in deference to the Aussie love of comfort and cool air.  "Our cars will have a considerably higher standard specification level than those in other markets," Porsche Australia's Paul Ellis explains. "Air-conditioning will be standard as will the entertainment system. Our customers expect a richer mix in their cars."Australian pricing hasn't been finalised yet with the 5 per cent tariff reduction still to be factored in to the mix before the car goes on sale next May, however it will carry an 8 per cent premium over the Boxster S and best estimates have the launch price for the 6-speed manual at around $145,000.For that car comes with a seriously focussed sports attitude, a manual soft-top roof that encourages owners to leave it stashed away in the boot and a road presence that turns heads wherever it goes. The 3.4-litre flat six engine is tuned to Cayman output with 235kW and 370Nm which, in its lightest incarnation, can get the Syder from standstill to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds utilising the 7-speed PDK gearbox and Sports Plus engine mapping.In the United States the same car — less the airconditioning, radio and a few other treats — will sell for $US61,200.  Porsche Australia expects to sell between 30 and 40 of the Spyders a year on what is conceded to be a short model run."The car is not a limited edition but, like the GT2, it is a special paying homage to the great Spyders of the past and there is no guarantee that there would be a Spyder version of the next generation of Boxster," Ellis says.