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New 2006 Porsche Cayman Review

September 2005
Filed under: PORSCHE Car News | PORSCHE Headlines

Mid-Engine Performance In Sleek, Coupe Architecture

Boxster-based two-seat coupe gets larger, more powerful engine and puts it in a gorgeous and aerodynamic package

A new and Boxster®-based coupe joins the Porsche sports car lineup for 2006, and while this vehicle shares much with the acclaimed roadster, its unique characteristics and exceptional dynamic capabilities earn it the right to its own name — the Cayman S.

Porsche Cayman S

With its larger and more powerful 3.4-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine and its lightweight but extremely rigid chassis riding on a nimble suspension, the 2006 Porsche Cayman S sets the benchmark in the two-seat sports coupe category.
In testing around Germany’s famed Nürburgring racing circuit, the Cayman S turned laps that rivaled even the acclaimed Porsche 911 Carrera.

Yet because of careful engineering for optimizing weight and a design that provides outstanding aerodynamics, the Porsche Cayman S also set new standards on the famed Northern Circuit for turning the fastest lap while using the least fuel.

With its combination of a powerful drivetrain, exceptionally well-balanced dynamic dexterity and the quality of braking that characterizes all Porsche vehicles, the performance by the Cayman S on Germany’s most demanding closed circuit resulted in lap times some 15 seconds faster than the closest of its rivals in the two-seat coupe category.

But the Cayman S is more than a performance car. It also was designed to be comfortable and well appointed for long-distance driving, whether on two-lane mountain roads or wide-open stretches of Interstate highway with a well-equipped passenger compartment.

Powerful but fuel-efficient 3.4-liter engine

Providing power for the 2006 Porsche Cayman S is a new 3.4-liter “boxer” six-cylinder engine. While based on the 3.2-liter engine in the 2006 Porsche Boxster S, this engine wears the cylinder heads and uses the same VarioCam® Plus technology as the venerable Porsche 911 Carrera. VarioCam Plus carefully camshaft and valve lift and constantly makes adjustments to optimize power output. The 2006 Porsche Cayman S is the first car other than the 911 Carrera to benefit from this unique Porsche technology.

The engine thus punches out 295 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque, propelling the Cayman S from a standing start to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) in just 5.1 seconds. The car reaches 99 mph (160 km/h) in a mere 11.7 seconds and gets to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 18.6 seconds. The car eclipses the quarter-mile sprint in 13.6 seconds and achieves a top speed on the test track of nearly 171 mph (275 km/h).

However, the Cayman S is rated at approximately* 19-mpg city and 27-mpg on the highway (12 liters/100 km city and 8 liters/100 km highway). The engine’s efficiency also shows in its emissions as it qualifies as an LEVII (low-emission category two) vehicle in the United States.

In internal testing, Porsche engineers found that the Cayman S engine makes 15 more horsepower than the powerplant in the Boxster S, yet over the course of 62 miles (100 kilometers) traveled used only four-tenths of a pint more gasoline.

In addition to its short stroke and VarioCam Plus technology, the new engine benefits from newly developed crankshaft, main bearings and pistons. The crankshaft in the Cayman S shares dimensions with that in the 911 Carrera and the aluminum crankcase is virtually identical to that used in the Porsche flagship.

Modified six-speed manual transmission

To deal with the increased output from the 3.4-liter engine, the six-speed manual transmission used in the Boxster S was modified, with shorter ratios for first and second gears. As in the 911 Carrera and Boxster S, the synchromesh rings on first and second gears also have wear-proof carbon coating to assure maximum efficiency.

To assure short, crisp and precise shifts, the Cayman S gearbox has triple synchromesh for first and second gears with double synchromesh for third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

While the gearbox is easy to manipulate, the engine also is strong enough to provide power even to what might be considered “lazier” drivers. For example, while cruising in fifth gear at 50 mph (80 km/h), a driver who wants to make a passing maneuver can simply push down on the gas pedal and the Cayman S responds by sprinting to 75 mph (125 km/h) in just 6.6 seconds.

Tiptronic S also available

As an alternative to the standard six-speed manual, Porsche offers its acclaimed Tiptronic S gearbox in the Cayman S as an option. This five-speed automatic transmission offers drivers the option of shifting gears by either tipping the gear lever mounted on the center console or by simply pushing fingertip controls located on the crossbar of the steering wheel.

Even with the automatic gearbox, the 2006 Porsche Cayman S accelerates to 60 mph (96 km/h) in only 5.8 seconds.

To make sure engine and transmission are properly matched, the Tiptronic S automatically gives gas (blips the throttle) when making downshifts. Further, the electronic controls that manage the Tiptronic S automatically work with the standard Porsche Stability Management system, responding to such things as hard braking or to strong lateral loading to keep power output at its optimum levels for safe control of the car.

Stiff chassis, nimble suspension enhance performance

While the Cayman S chassis and suspension are based on the Boxster’s, the coupe is slightly larger and gains rigidity from its fixed roof architecture. This stiffer structure allows Porsche engineers to optimize the coupe’s suspension for exceptional dynamic capabilities.

Compared to Porsche’s own outstanding roadster, the body of the Cayman S offers 100 percent more resistance to flex and its torsional stiffness nearly matches that of the heralded Porsche 911 Carrera.

With such a solid platform, Porsche engineers were able to tune the Cayman S for an even more sporting and dynamic dimension and with high reserves for safety. However, the strength of the Cayman S body also allowed them to maximize the comfort of the driver and passenger.

At Porsche, performance includes safety and the Cayman S was designed with high degrees of both passive and active safety features.

Nimble, sure-footed suspension geometry

As on other Porsche sports cars, the front suspension of the Cayman S features spring-strut axles with separately mounted longitudinal and track control arms to assure precise wheel guidance while controlling body roll. A new outbound/rebound stop spring within the damper strut further reduces body sway angle to make the Cayman S even more sure-footed under high lateral acceleration forces.

While the Boxster S and Cayman S use front springs that apply the same counterforce, the Cayman S has firmer sway bars.

The rear suspension also features spring-strut axles with longitudinal and track control arms, but with firmer springs on the rear axle than the Boxster S and an even harder outbound setting for the rear dampers. But while the rear springs are firmer, the rear sway bars are slightly “softer” to provide
both control and comfort.

Variable ratio steering

As on the Boxster and 911 Carrera, the Cayman S is equipped with hydraulically boosted rack-and-pinion steering with variable gear ratios to better transmit the driver’s inputs to the wheels.

When the steering wheel is within 15 degrees of either side of its on-center position, the steering ratio is engineered for smooth and high-speed stability, even on rough surfaces. However, when the steering wheel angle exceeds 15 degrees from center, the ratio becomes more direct, reducing lock-to-lock and giving the driver better control on winding roads as well as in slow-speed maneuvers, such as when parallel parking.

Porsche Stability Management included

The 2006 Porsche Cayman S features the latest generation of Porsche Stability Management (PSM), unique vehicle control technology that comprises anti-lock braking, anti-slip (traction) control, engine drag control and automatic brake differential functions to intervene when necessary in driving situations that approach the limits of adhesion. In such instances, PSM can apply the brakes to individual wheels to help maintain the car’s stability.

However, unlike intrusive vehicle control systems available from other automakers, PSM is designed not to interfere with sporty performance but to enhance the experience for the enthusiast driver.

Porsche Active Suspension Management available

For drivers who want to experience the ultimate expression of vehicle dynamics, the 2006 Porsche Cayman S can be equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which, in effect, provides two suspension setups in a single vehicle — one for comfortable cruising and everyday driving and the other for track-day or autocross exercises.

PASM, which lowers the car by almost four-tenths of an inch (10 mm), features “Normal” and “Sport” settings.

Compared to the standard Cayman S suspension setup, PASM Normal offers a more comfortable suspension that provides even smoother ride qualities, especially over rough roads. However, the system automatically stiffens when the driver makes more aggressive inputs.

PASM Sports activates a much firmer suspension control map for agile and dynamic handling, such as that sought in track situations.

PASM includes two accelerometers that determine vertical movement of the body. Further, it monitors steering angle inputs, road speed, brake pressure and engine torque to optimize damper control for each individual wheel.

Sports Chrono Package provides the ultimate in dynamic agility

As a further option, Porsche offers its Sports Chrono Package that modifies mapping for the powertrain and braking systems to provide the ultimate in performance driving. With the optional Sports Chrono Package activated, the 2006 Porsche Cayman S responds even more directly to throttle inputs and offers the driver even greater freedom when driving at the limit thanks to the car’s more sporting set-up of engine management, shifting of the optional Tiptronic S transmission as well as the parameters of the PASM system.

The Sports Chrono Package includes a dash-mounted stopwatch gauge that records lap times on track days or in autocross events. On cars equipped with the optional Porsche Communications Management system, this data can be displayed for review on the navigation monitor screen.

In Porsche’s testing at the Nurburgring, a Cayman S equipped with the Sports Chrono Package was some three seconds per lap faster around the test track.

Large brakes for quick, safe stops

To deal with such dynamic forces, the Cayman S, like Boxster S, uses the same braking system components as the 911 Carrera.

Front brake discs are internally ventilated and measure 12.52 inches (318 mm) in diameter and 1.10 inches (28 mm) in thickness. Rear discs also are inner-vented and measure 11.77 inches (299 mm) across and 0.94 inches (24 mm) in thickness. To provide optimum deceleration, four-piston monobloc calipers — painted red on the Cayman S — grab the discs under braking.

As with all Porsche vehicles, brakes are a critical component to safe driving, so during vehicle development they are put through rigorous testing. For example, before brakes are approved for production, they must be able to go through 25 consecutive cycles involving full acceleration to top speed, followed by deceleration to 62 mph (100 km/h) without fading.

Porsche Ceramic Carbon Brakes available

For drivers who want the ultimate in braking technology, Porsche Ceramic Carbon Brakes (PCCB®) are available on the 2006 Cayman S. PCCB uses 13.78-inch (350 mm) rotors made from a ceramic material that is resistant to corrosion and provide a high-friction surface for optimum braking characteristics even in extremely wet conditions. While larger, the ceramic discs weigh only half as much as conventional metal brakes, thus reducing unsprung weight and enhancing vehicle dynamic capabilities.

Large wheels, Z-rated tires

Standard on the 2006 Porsche Cayman S are 18-inch wheels, eight inches wide for the front wheels and nine inches wide for the rear. The wheels have a unique design that draws on cues from the wheels on the famed Porsche Carrera GT supercar.

Wheels wear 235/40-aspect tires in front and 265/40-aspect tires in the rear. All tires have Z speed ratings.

Four 19-inch wheel designs are offered as optional equipment on the Cayman S. The optional wheels are made from a special flow-forming technology that reduces their weight by some 3 percent compared to wheels made from other processes.

The optional wheels include the same wheels used on the 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S, a SportDesign wheel with 15 spokes and filigree styling reminiscent of wheels used in international motorsports, the 911 Carrera Classic wheels with five slender spokes and a better view of the cross-drilled brake discs and monobloc calipers.

The fourth optional wheel is a wider, 10-spoke monobloc wheel that runs 8.5 inches wide for the front wheels and 10 inches wide for the rear. As on the SportDesign wheels, the spokes are in a star-shaped arrangement.

Each optional wheel comes with a specially selected tire. Eighteen-inch winter tires also are available.

No spare needed

Like other Porsche models, the Cayman S comes with a special sealant as well as an electrical compressor instead of a conventional (and heavy) spare tire and jack. The Mobility Set is sufficient in most cases to avoid the need of changing a damaged tire on the side of the road and allows the driver to travel at up to 50 mph (80 km/h) to the nearest service center.

Optional tire pressure monitor

Another new safety feature is the optional tire-pressure monitoring system. Wheel sensors constantly monitor the air pressure in each tire and alert the driver with two warnings. A "gentle" warning in white text appears on the digital display within the tachometer if air pressure drops by more than 2.9 psi but less than 5.8 psi. This warning appears for 10 seconds each time the car is started. A "stern" warning is displayed in red text on the tachometer's digital display if air pressure drops more than 5.8 psi or if pressure is falling by more than 2.9 psi per minute. This warning appears as soon as the respective values are exceeded, whether the vehicle is stationary or moving.

Purely Porsche, but also a unique design

Some may look at the 2006 Porsche Cayman and be reminded of the Porsche 550 Coupe or the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS Coupe, both legendary cars from previous eras. Others will notice how Porsche designers incorporated elements of both the Boxster roadsters and the 911 Carrera models into the new two-seat, fixed-roof coupe. Still others will see the Cayman for its unique design, purely Porsche but with distinct styling elements such as its nose section, the way the rocker panels sweep up to the side-mounted air vents like a hockey stick, and the graceful if complex curves as the long sloping roofline narrows as it plunges between the voluptuous rear fenders.

To try to classify the Cayman S as merely the coupe version of the Boxster does disservice to both vehicles, each of which is unique with its own special characteristics.

The 2006 Cayman S presents a new face for Porsche with a more pronounced lower lip and with the fog lamps mounted on bars that extend across the air intakes — with their unique vertical slats — on either side of that lap. The hood sweeps up between the front fenders to a steeply raked windshield.

The exterior design not only underscores the fixed-roof coupe styling, but also enhances aerodynamic control.

The small lip at the bottom of the front end of the car reduces lift forces by 10/1000ths, which at 167 mph (270 km/h) increases the load on each front wheel by 15 pounds (7 kg), producing a significant improvement in stability at very high speeds.

The exterior mirrors are like those used on the 200-mph Porsche Carrera GT supercar and the new and split rear wing moves up some 3.15 inches (80 mm) as soon as the car exceeds 75 mph (120 km/h) to enhance high-speed stability. Rather than a traditional spoiler, this wing keeps air resistance to a minimum while generating powerful downforce.

Airflow beneath the car also is carefully controlled, both for cooling of engine, transmission and brakes and for helping to keep the Cayman S in contact with the road surface. Further, ram air flaps are built in the corners of the fan frames at the front of the car and open at around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce throughput of air and thus reduce forces acting on the front axle.

Headlamps use projector-beam technology (bi-xenon lamps are optional). Wide tail lamps are cut into the rear quarter panels. Rear horizontal form bars merge into the specially designed and centrally mounted dual tailpipes.

Overall, the 2006 Porsche Cayman S body is 172.1 inches (4371 mm) long, which makes it not quite half an inch longer than the Boxster and 3.5 inches (x mm) shorter than the 911 Carrera. The Cayman S also is half-an-inch taller (at 51.4 inches or 1305 mm) than the Boxster, though the cars share their width (70.9 inches or 1801 mm) and their 95.1-incn (2415 mm) wheelbase dimensions.

The Cayman S has a coefficient of drag of 0.29 while the Boxster S has a figure of 0.30. Even with its metal roof, the Cayman S weighs 11 pounds less than the Boxster S.

Sophisticated interior with high-quality materials

The interior of the 2006 Porsche Cayman S combines luxury-class materials with the controls and seat bolstering required by the enthusiast driver and thus provides a fitting environment whether traveling across the country or around a racetrack.

While based on the interior in the Porsche Boxster, the Cayman S adds several unique features, such as its long and wide rear package shelf, covered storage bins behind each seat and a revised binnacle above the instrument cluster with a fine metal grid in the open spaces between the circular instruments and the binnacle.

The gearshift lever, steering wheel rim, handbrake lever handle, cover on the storage compartment in the center console and in the door panels all are finished in grain leather.

Aluminum-colored trim accents the interior, which features standard air conditioning and with pollen filter.

The Cayman S has an oversized glove box. An open storage bin is located at the lower front end of the center console with a covered storage box at the rear end of the console. Inside this box are both a coin holder and a 12-volt power outlet. Covered storage areas also are located in each door panel.

A pair of cup holders is cleverly concealed behind a trim strip above the glove compartment. Each accommodates beverages up to 2.91 inches in diameter and swivels out independently as needed.

Four seating choices

Seats can be adjusted in six directions, with electrical control of the backrest angle while fore/aft and height adjustment is manual. Height adjustment incorporates a special step-by-step leveling system between the seat and doorsill for precise and convenient adjustment.

Seats with full electric control are optional and provide seat adjustment in 12 directions, including seat bottom adjusting for angle. The fully electric-control seats include four-way lumbar support.

Sport seats also are available with enhanced lateral support bolsters, both in the seat and back cushions.

A further option is adaptive sports seats that combine larger bolsters with 12-way power controls. These seats can be adjusted to be wider or narrower to better fit the driver and passenger.

Two compartments for luggage

The 2006 Porsche Cayman S features two separate luggage compartments, one under the front hood and the other under the long sloping rear hatch. Combined, they provide 14.13 cubic feet (400 liters) of capacity.

The rear luggage compartment is fully carpeted and offers storage areas on either side of a stainless steel trim strip. The rear section — which is as large as the rear luggage compartment in the Porsche Boxster — is covered by a removable privacy panel when the tailgate is in its closed position.

The tailgate itself is 45.7 inches long (116 cm) and 35.4 inches wide (90 cm) and opens with the help of two-stage, gas-pressure springs. The back edge of the hatch rises more than six feet into the air to provide access to the rear cargo area, which features four tie-downs as well as a standard luggage net. A luggage retention bar between the headrests keeps bags safely in position, even when the driver has to brake for an all-out emergency.

Several choices in audio equipment

The Cayman S comes standard with a Porsche Sound Package including nine speakers: one 2.5-inch (70-mm) mid-range speaker and two .75-inch (19-mm) tweeters in the dash, two 4-inch (100-mm) mid-range speakers and two 8-inch (200-mm) woofers in the doors, and two 4-inch (100-mm)
mid-range speakers in the rear compartment.

The optional Porsche Communication Management (PCM®) system includes available DVD navigation and the ability to play MP3 titles.

A BOSE® Surround Sound System is available as an option. It has 10 speakers and a seven-channel digital amplifier specifically designed for the Cayman S.

Porsche Communications Management available

The optional PCM system offers a further optional enhancement in the form of an electronic logbook that can record up to 1,500 trips taken in the 2006 Porsche Cayman S. It also records mileage, journey length, date and time as well as the starting point and destination address. A programmable HomeLink® system that can open a garage door or turn on the lights in your home is standard.

Additional options are available

Also optional on the 2006 Porsche Cayman S are such features as a roof transport system, rearview mirrors with an automatic auto-dimming function, a Park Assist system that measures the distance to obstacles.

Safe by design

The stiff body shell of the 2006 Porsche Cayman S provides for a high level of passive safety.

Doors are designed and built to optimize safety with an extra steel profile plate. Thus the doors actually stiffen the passenger cell in a head-on collision and dissipate energy around the driver and passenger.

Each 2006 Porsche Cayman is equipped with six airbags including two front and two seat-mounted side-impact airbags. In addition, the Porsche Side Impact Protection (POSIP) system includes head airbags that deploy upward from their housings in the door windowsills. These new airbags provide
a flat cushion that inflates to nearly 500 cubic inches (8 liters) and are designed to help protect the heads of the driver and passenger from broken glass and objects that might enter through the window in the event of an accident.

For 2006, the Cayman S comes equipped with full-size two-stage front airbags featuring an organic-based propellant that not only makes them lighter and more compact, but easier to recycle as well. The passenger seat also features weight sensors that automatically switch off the passenger airbag when child seats are detected.

Both seats also are equipped with three-point inertia-reel seat belts with belt latch tensioner and belt force limiters.

Extensive warranty

Every 2006 Porsche vehicle sold in the United States or Canada is covered by a four year/50,000-mile (80,000 kilometer), bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, which includes Porsche’s roadside assistance program. The galvanized body and 26-step paint and anti-corrosion process enable Porsche to warrant each car against rust perforation for 10 years and unlimited mileage.

In addition, Porsche guarantees the paint finish for three years — also without a mileage limitation.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne® sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 300 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 210 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

* Estimated fuel economy figures. Official EPA figures not available at time of publication

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