Wild Ass Rumor Of The Day: Cayman Unleashed-Ish?

by Edward Niedermeyer

June 15th, 2010 1:31 PM

wild ass rumor of the day cayman unleashed ish

Not being a regular trackday driver, my recent tryst with a Porsche Cayman S didn’t leave me wishing Porsche would make their own Turbo version. I may be putting my auto-writer-posturing credentials on the line by typing this, but on real roads patrolled by real police officers, 320 hp is plenty, thanks. Besides, everyone knows that Porsche will never allow its crocodilian coupe outshine its older (and more profitable) brother, the 911. But, according to forum postings from someone claiming to have attended Porsche’s recent general sales meeting [via Pistonheads], Zuffenhausen will let the Cayman get a little bit closer to its true potential with a lightweight version due out in the US next Spring.

Inspired by the Boxster Spyder, this range-topping Cayman (RS?) will offer a mere 10 hp upgrade over the Cayman S, but those 330 horsies should have much less Porsche to move (the Boxster Spyder is 176 lbs lighter than the Boxster S). A locking differential, suspension upgrades and fabric door-pulls should round out the list of justifications for its $65k expected base price.

But wait, there’s more! Also predicted by PH’s mystery forum source (whose posts have since disappeared, giving them even more credibility): a Porsche Speedster, described by PH as a

two-seat convertible with a turbo-style wide body, rear-wheel drive and 408hp. The Speedster is expected to cost around £140k ($200k), and is due towards the end of 2010.

And the end of 2010 is looking to be a busy time for the Zuffenhausen gang. Also debuting in that timeframe is the Porsche GT2 RS, which will be the most powerful Porsche road car of all time. At least until they think of another letter to put after its name. Speaking of which, a 911 GTS is also being rumored, and is described thusly at PH:

Unlike the GT2 RS, the GTS will be a mainstream production model. It will get the same 408hp engine as the speedster, as well as the wider body and a Sport Classic-style nose.

And finally, the last stop on this leaked tour of Porsche’s near-future: the 918 Spyder, the hybrid supercar replacement for the Carrera GT. The 918 is scheduled to appear at an invitation-only showing at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this summer, and though it’s still not officially approved for production, this obstacle is looking more and more like a formality. According to the forum tipster:

when (and if) the 918 Spyder gets approved, prospective buyers will be asked for a $50k non-refundable deposit to secure a build slot.

#Cayman #FutureVehicles #Porsche #RS #Spyder #WildAssRumorOfTheDay

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2 of 12 comments

ChuckR on Jun 15, 2010

3% more HP and 5% less weight is, I guess, noticeable on the butt dynamometer. Porsche will sell all of these they build, but I'm not impressed. Not enough extra HP. Also, Guards has disassembled a Porsche LSD and aren't impressed - too lightweight. They are a little biased - they make alternative LSDs strong enough for track days as well as on the road use. My dream upgrades would be a TPC low pressure turbo and their road oriented suspension upgrade (coilovers, upgraded control arms, sway bars, etc), plus the Guards ATB LSD and a TTP auxiliary oil scavenge pump. Hey, why not throw in Carillo forged rods and crank? And rebuild it with the ceramic bearing upgrade for the weak-kneed IMS. All that makes no economic sense - even the premium for a lightweight Cayman is a better deal. But still not a good deal.

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Jimal on Jun 15, 2010

"I may be putting my auto-writer-posturing credentials on the line by typing this, but on real roads patrolled by real police officers, 320 hp is plenty, thanks." What a refreshing comment. Well said, Ed. (-itor or -ward. Or both.)

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