2012 Porsche Cayman Overview Change Vehicle

2012 Porsche Cayman review with specifications, fuel economy data, safety information, reliability ratings, a photo gallery, and The Vehix View

Take the Porsche Boxster, add a fastback-style roof designed to evoke the classic 550 Coupe and subsequent 904 models, and you’ve got the Porsche Cayman, which is commonly considered to be Porsche’s purest and most capable sports car, even if the more expensive 911 is ultimately faster.

Porsche introduces the Cayman R to the lineup. The range-topping model is designed for serious driving enthusiasts, with increased engine power, a sport-tuned suspension, and racy design cues. And while it is the most expensive model, it is also the lightest, stripped of unnecessary equipment in pursuit of performance purity. Additional updates for the 2012 Cayman include a new Porsche SportDesign steering wheel option for any model and two new colors: Ipanema Blue and Peridot.

The Porsche Cayman is due for a redesign, so this might be the last year that you can buy the current model, which is available in four choices for 2012: Cayman, Cayman S, Cayman S Black Edition, and Cayman R.

Standard equipment for the Cayman includes air conditioning, power windows, power heated side mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, a manual tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and cruise control. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity is also included, and the standard stereo system comes with a five-inch display screen, a CD/MP3 player, and a USB port. Six-way sport seats feature power seatback adjustment and Alcantara seat inserts, and the Cayman comes with a set of 17-inch aluminum wheels.

The Cayman S provides a bump in power and performance thanks to a bigger engine, bigger brakes, and bigger 18-inch wheels. The Cayman S is designated as such on its tail script, and is equipped with red brake calipers, dual exhaust outlets, and silver-faced gauges.

The Cayman S Black Edition is, not surprisingly, all black inside and out. It is also loaded with extras including automatic climate control, Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with navigation and a color in-dash touchscreen, a Bose surround sound audio system with satellite radio, and a set of bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering capability. Porsche plans to build fewer than 1,000 examples of the Cayman S Black Edition.

The Cayman R is new for 2012, and buyers will pay a premium to obtain the benefits of its lighter curb weight. The air conditioning and audio systems are removed, the seats are an ultra lightweight design, and the doors are constructed of aluminum instead of steel. A set of lightweight 19-inch wheels, a limited-slip rear differential, and Porsche Stability Management 8.0 with enhanced braking capability are added to maximize performance, and the Cayman R is visually differentiated by front and rear aero spoilers, P-O-R-S-C-H-E side stripes, and special trim details.

Cayman upgrades depend on the model you’ve selected. Highlights include navigation, premium sound, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and a variety of comfort and sport seats with increasing levels of power adjustment. Aluminum wheels in various designs and sizes are available, and the Cayman can be equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), a Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double clutch automated manual transmission, and a manual locking rear differential. A SportDesign steering wheel with paddle shifters is available in conjunction with the PDK, and the Cayman can also be equipped with rear Park Assist, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated seats.

The optional Sport Chrono Package takes Cayman performance to a higher level, thanks to the addition of a Sport button that quickens throttle response and expands the car’s handling limits before the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system kicks in. Add the Sport Chrono Package to a Cayman equipped with the PDK transmission, and the Sport button puts the gearbox into a motorsport shift strategy and activates a launch control system. Add the Sport Chrono Package to a Cayman equipped with PASM, and the Sport button provides firmer suspension damping. A swiveling timer mounted to the dashboard is also included, offering digital and analog displays.

As is customary, Porsche offers myriad ways to personalize a Cayman through paint colors, interior treatments, and a long list of accessories. It is best to visit Porsche’s website directly to view all the ways a Cayman can be tailored to your specific tastes and preferences.

The 2012 Porsche Cayman is powered by a 2.9-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine making 265 horsepower at 7,200 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque from 4,400 to 6,000 rpm. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, and a seven-speed PDK automated manual transmission is optional. Porsche says acceleration to 60 mph takes 5.5 seconds with the manual, 5.4 seconds with the PDK, and 5.2 seconds with the PDK and the Sport Chrono Package. Maximum velocity measures 164 mph, and fuel economy ratings are 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the manual gearbox, and 20-city/29-highway with PDK. Premium fuel is required.

A direct-injected, 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine is installed in the Cayman S, delivering a big power increase in the form of 320 horsepower at 7,200 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. A six-speed manual is standard and the PDK transmission is optional, and fuel economy figures mirror the standard engine except for the highway rating with the manual gearbox, which falls from 27 mpg to 26 mpg. Acceleration to 60 mph takes just 4.9 seconds for the manual and 4.8 seconds for the PDK. Get PDK with the Sport Chrono Package, and you’ll get to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 171 mph.

The Cayman S Black Edition is equipped with the same 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine as the Cayman S, massaged to make 330 horsepower and provide slightly quicker acceleration times in combination with a slightly higher top speed of 173 mph. Fuel economy ratings for the Black Edition are the same as the Cayman S.

The Black Edition’s upgraded engine is also standard in the Cayman R, but because the Cayman R is lighter 60 mph arrives sooner. The Cayman R hits 60 in 4.7 seconds with the manual gearbox, 4.6 seconds with the PDK transmission, and 4.4 seconds with PDK and the Sport Chrono Package, all on the way to its terminal velocity of 175 mph. Fuel economy matches the standard Cayman at 19-city/27-highway with the manual gearbox and 20-city/29-highway with the PDK.

There aren’t any safety or reliability ratings for the 2012 Porsche Cayman, because the government, insurance industry, and market research entities that typically provide them have not assessed this car.

Still, it’s helpful to know that the Cayman comes with six airbags, including a set of side-impact airbags designed to protect the torso and the head. Porsche Stability Management is also standard, as well as cross-drilled and ventilated antilock disc brakes. Rear Park Assist is optional on the Cayman.

The 2012 Porsche Cayman weighs just 2,932 pounds (2,998 with PDK) in standard form. However, it is not the lightest model. That laurel goes to the Cayman R, which tips the scales at a remarkably low 2,855 lbs. Not only is the R the lightest Cayman, it also benefits from a center of gravity that’s three-quarters of an inch lower than other Cayman models, making it feel particularly agile.

Here’s a surprise: The Cayman is a cargo-toting rock star. Two trunks, one in front and one in back, provide a total of 14.5 cubic-feet of cargo volume. That’s almost as much as a typical midsize sedan.

The Cayman is lighter than the Boxster upon which it is based, and it makes slightly more power at higher rpm, which, in combination with its more rigid structure, makes it more thrilling to drive even if it’s not a convertible.

To put it simply, if buying a Porsche with our own money, the Cayman S is the model we would choose to park in the garage. This is a brilliant sports car, deliciously fun to drive while simultaneously practical and fuel-efficient.

-- By Christian Wardlaw