The New Porsche Cayman

Porsche is presenting the second generation of the mid-engined Cayman sports coupe at the Los Angeles Motor Show between 21st and 30th November 2008. The highlight is the new, flat-six 'boxer' engines, developed to incorporate new technical features from the ground up, providing not only more power, but also significantly greater fuel efficiency.

A further improvement of both fuel economy and performance is guaranteed by the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), the new double-clutch gearbox now available as an option on both the Cayman and Cayman S.

Newly-developed 'boxer' engines deliver more power on less fuel

The Porsche Cayman now has an engine displacing 2.9-litres, which develops 265 bhp (195 kW), an increase by 20 horsepower over the prior 2.7-litre model.

The 3.4-litre power unit in the Porsche Cayman S now features Direct Fuel Injection, and delivers 320 bhp (235 kW), up by 25 bhp.

These developments see the engines fitted to the Porsche Cayman and Porsche Cayman S coupes offering more horsepower than those in the Porsche Boxster roadster. This move emphasises the sports driving orientation of the Porsche Cayman and further differentiates the coupe.

An outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 4.2kg/bhp on the Porsche Cayman S in particular ensures optimum driving dynamics. For example, the Porsche Cayman S with PDK and Launch Control (featured in the optional Sports Chrono Package Plus) accelerates from 0-62mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, setting the benchmark in the range.

When combined with the PDK transmission, the new 2.9-litre engine of the Porsche Cayman clearly breaks through the 30.0mpg fuel consumption boundary. Indeed, the figure of 31.0mpg (9.1 litres/100km) is approximately 10 per cent better than the previous model with the Tiptronic S automatic transmission. Increasing fuel economy by an even more significant 15 per cent to 30.1mpg (9.4 litres/100km), the 3.4-litre Porsche Cayman S with PDK offers an even greater saving over its predecessor with Tiptronic S.

In parallel with the improvement in fuel economy, so emissions of the engines have decreased also. Depending on model, emissions have been reduced by up to 16 per cent. The Porsche Cayman with the standard six-speed manual gearbox emits 221g/km CO2, and 214g/km CO2 when fitted with PDK. The Porsche Cayman S manual emits 223g/km CO2, and 221g/km CO2 with PDK.

Significantly, these developments move every Cayman model - whether manual or PDK - into Band F for Vehicle Excise Duty and company car taxation purposes.