"Porsche’s chief of mid-engined cars, Hans-Jürgen Wöhler, told Autocar that the extreme Porsche Cayman R offers a bigger dynamic advantage over the Cayman S than what the Boxster Spyder has over the Boxster S. Wöhler explained that due to the hard-top body’s rigidity, Porsche was able to push the Cayman’s chassis more than the Boxster’s in this lighter variant. Wöhler said that the two Caymans differ when it comes to the stiffness of the bodyshell of the fixed roof."

"He said that the Cayman R’s chassis can “fulfill 100% of its potential.” On the other hand, the Boxster Spyder can only achieve about 90%. He added that the Cayman R features a special set-up of spring rates [5 to 10% stiffer], shock absorbers and torsion bar that is exclusive to this car. In addition, it is lower by 20mm."

"Set to go on sale this February, the Cayman R is about £5000 more expensive than the Cayman S. Porsche predicts that it will be able to sell one R for every five S variants. However, it believes that the take-up might be higher in the UK."

Pay attention to this part. The Cayman R's shock absorbers and torsion bar will be exclusive to this car (the Cayman R), so not the same as those found on the Spyder. The spring rates will probably NOT be exactly like those on the Spyder, although it is not perfectly clear to what model he was comparing them (Cayman S or Spyder?) when Wöhler said they would be 5 to 10% stiffer on the Cayman R. The 20mm lower height is the same as for the Spyder.

The statement that the Cayman R "fullfill 100% of its potential" for this chassis vs 90% for the Spyder is a subjective evaluation. But since those words are coming from the engineer in charge of chassis development for the 987 platform, it speaks volumes about what Porsche expects from the Cayman R, especially in comparison to the already much praised & heralded Spyder. The latter is considered by the motoring press as one of the best handling cars in the world! For those naysayers of the just announced Cayman R who believed this was only a cosmetic exercise from the parts bin, please wait until the track & driving test results come in before you write off this model. It may indeed surprise us all.

 

I'm sure the handling will be a dream, but until they put the engine from the GT3 in there, I don't really think the Cayman will fulfill its potential.

 

I too have zero doubts that the R will out handle my Spyder.

I'm not going to lie, as a design director appearance is a factor. Other than decals and a special green color, the R is no different than the a Sport Design Package Cayman S (visually). Put it this way, do you think the Spyder would have as much appeal if they just picked a unique color and married it to the Sport Design Package Boxster? The Spyder has unique body work (Rear Hatch, Convertible Top, Front Intakes with LEDs and Side Intakes). The combo of handling and appearance make the package truly desirable. This is all subjective and my opinion... But keep in mind if the Spyder didn't exist... I would have bought a R But thank god the it does! Because I LOVE IT!

 

^^ I agree that the Boxster Spyder looked like it had more work done, but trust me, Porsche held off on the outside for what really mattered (also, it has new lighter wheels form the Spyder, and black rings on the headlights). It has 330hp, a stiffer suspension, a more rigid body etc.

 

^^^This.

 

IMHO:
Cayman R = Stealth Performance. To the untrained eye the R is no different than the standard (No non-Porsche hardcore enthusiast will ever notice the visual differences).

Boxster Spyder = To the untrained eye the Spyder is noticeably different from the standard. Then they added the performance on top!

All I'm saying is that Porsche could have done the Spyder visually alone without the performance upgrades and it would have still drawn people in. You can't say the same about the R.

The two are different packaging and if spec'ed right the Cayman R will no doubt be the true winner performance wise.

Personally I wished they would have done a tad more visually to separate from the standard. They could have easily modified the front intake grills like they did on the Spyder... Changed the front Lips to be more aggressive, Used the Spyder Engine Intake Grills. All of those alone don't cost much and give some more impact. For all those complaining about lack of power upgrade... it's a pipe dream as long the 911 exist.

 

Why does the Cayman have to have the GT3 Engine? Personally I think it's more about offering a model above the 911 that is mid engined. Yes the 918 will be soon be here, but that is too much of a leap from the 911 GT3... Exotic territory. Porsche should offer a Mid-Engined True performance GT3. This will protect the 911 cult and offer a true performer!

 

Because the Cayman chassis is so good that with that power (and the sheer gloriousness of the GT3 engine), it would be out-of-this-world good. As good as the Cayman is, it's underpowered relative to its price-parity peers, and driving a chassis that *could* handle more power is enormously frustrating. By definition, therefore, if it could handle more power, but doesn't, it isn't fulfilling its potential.


From a protecting-the-911-brand perspective, I absolutely see why they wouldn't want to do it, though.

 

my vote for "fail" car of the year...

 

Of course there'd be nothing stopping me from dropping a GT3 engine into a Cayman R....