2007 Porsche Cayman
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Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
2.7 liter boxer-6 |
Weight |
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Aspiration |
natural |
Torque |
201 lb-ft @ 4600 - 6000 rpm | ||
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HP |
245 hp |
HP/Weight |
-- | ||
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HP/Liter |
91.2 hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
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0-62 mph |
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Top Speed |
160 mph |
(from Porsche Press Release) 2007 PORSCHE® CAYMAN™ COMBINES COUPE ARCHITECTURE, MID-ENGINE DYNAMICS
Boxster® based hardtop offers gorgeous and aerodynamic package
Just as Porsche builds the Boxster and Boxster S roadsters, so it expands the Cayman sports coupe lineup for 2007 with the Porsche Cayman, a Boxster-based hardtop powered by a 245-horsepower, 2.7liter horizontally opposed “boxer” six-cylinder engine – and now with Porsche’s exclusive VarioCam® Plus variable intake-valve timing and lift technology that broadens the torque curve, increases fuel economy and helps to reduce emissions.
New for 2007 is a revised and updated Tiptronic® S automatic transmission, a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and optional new 19-inch wheels with the same design as the 2007 911® Turbo.
But just as with the Boxster itself, the sports coupe’s story isn’t sheer acceleration – though it sprints from a standing start to 60 miles per hour in just 5.8 seconds (0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds). The 2007 Porsche Cayman’s story is one of amazing and balanced dynamic capabilities that come from its mid-engine design and mechanical architecture and what that means to the sort of fine-tuning done by Porsche’s legendary team of engineers.
But the 2007 Porsche
Cayman is more than just another performance sports car. Its
well-equipped passenger compartment was designed and engineered to
be comfortable and well appointed for long-distance driving, whether
on two-lane mountain roads or wide-open stretches of Interstate
highway.
Like the Porsche 911 models and Cayman S, the power unit of the 2007
Cayman features VarioCam Plus technology. Maximum output of this
six-cylinder power unit is 245 horsepower, with torque peaking at
201 lb-ft between 4600 and 6000 rpm. The 2.7-liter power unit comes
with a lightweight crankshaft and a high compression ratio, with
output of 91.2 hp per liter.
Linked to the standard 5-speed manual transmission, the 2007 Cayman not only accelerates quickly – and up to a speed of 160 miles per hour (258 km/h) on the test track, but is rated at 23 miles per gallon in city driving and at 32 mpg on the highway and meets ULEV II (ultra low-emission vehicle) standards.
Small displacement but big performance from 2.7-liter engine
The new engine in the 2007 Porsche Cayman is based on the 3.4-liter unit that powers the higher-performance Porsche Cayman S, but while the external dimensions are identical, the moving parts within the engine are largely new in design and construction.
As in the 3.4-liter
power unit, stroke of the 2.7-liter engine is 3.07 inches (78
millimeters). The reduction in displacement results from the smaller
diameter – 3.37 inches (85.5 mm) of the cast pistons. The 2.7liter
engine also features a lighter crankshaft and the bores in the
hollow piston pins are larger, saving six grams of weight per pin
and giving the engine a fast, freer-revving response.
Detailed improvements are also to be found in the cylinder head,
where an injector bore between the two outlet valves completed after
the casting process improves coolant flow to reduce thermal loads at
this point, helping reduce the risk of the engine knocking. As a
result, the compression ratio can be set at 11.3:1.
Meanwhile, VarioCam Plus technology combines adjustable valve timing and variable valve lift on the intake camshaft. VarioCam Plus carefully manages camshaft and valve lift to constantly make adjustments to optimize power output.
High torque throughout the entire range of engine speed is ensured by the intake system with its resonance flap, the two-chamber distributor pipe and distributor pipe flap. The manifold system is the same in design and configuration as on the 3.4-litre power unit of the Cayman S, with the switch thresholds on both flaps being adjusted to the smaller size of the engine.
To ensure an efficient supply of oil to the engine even under dynamic driving conditions, the Cayman comes with fully integrated dry sump lubrication. The integrated dry-sump system is so precise at monitoring oil that the Boxster engines require no dipstick; an electronic monitor measures the oil level and displays the result on the instrument cluster.
The new Porsche Cayman also boasts that muscular boxer sound to typical of Porsche, while the sound of the engine when idling remains smooth and moderate. Specially conceived for Porsche's new sports coupé, the exhaust system has extra-large cross sections to keep counterpressure to a minimum and engine output at a maximum.
Gearing up the Cayman
The 2007 Porsche Cayman employs a standard five-speed manual gearbox and can be optioned with the six-speed manual that is standard equipment on the Cayman S. The five-speed manual features triple synchromesh on first gear and double synchromesh on second. Multiple synchromesh rings assure quick and easy shifts even with short shifter travel.
The six-speed has triple synchromesh on first and second gears and double synchromesh on third, fourth, fifth and sixth. As on the 911 Carrera®, the synchromesh rings in first and second gear on both Boxster manuals have a wear-resistant carbon coating.
An automatic choice: Tiptronic S
New for 2007 and optional on the 2007 Porsche Cayman is the revised and updated Porsche Tiptronic S five-speed automatic transmission that allows for manual gear changing via fingertip controls located on the crossbar of the steering wheel. For 2007, the Tiptronic S has been upgraded with new hydraulics and electronics as on the 911 series and Cayman S. This transmission’s refinements are best utilized when combined with the optional Sport Chrono package, which when engaged allows for variable shift patterns, which include more aggressive downshifts, quicker shift times, and the ability to hold gears against the rev limiter.
Variable-ratio steering
The 2007 Porsche Cayman comes with variable-ratio rack-and-pinion steering that helps enhance its agility on winding roads while helping to maintain stability at higher speeds. When the steering wheel is within 15 degrees of its on-center position, the steering ratio remains similar to that used on the first-generation Boxster. This assures a smooth and calm driving experience, 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. Even with its wide tires, the Cayman offers a tight turning circle of only 36.4 feet.
Enhanced braking system
The 2007 Porsche Cayman
is equipped with cross-drilled disc brakes at each wheel. Like all
Porsche vehicles, brakes undergo extreme testing both for stopping
power, durability and resistance to fading.
On the Cayman, front brakes are 11.73 inches (298 mm) in diameter
and 0.94 inches (24 mm) thick while the rear brakes are 11.77 inches
(299 mm) across and 0.79 inches (20 mm) thick. The Cayman comes with
four-piston black-colored aluminum monobloc calipers and anti-lock
braking technology.
While many vehicles power brakes via a suction pump with in the
engine intake manifold, Porsche uses a mechanically driven vacuum
pump to supply pressure to the brake servo. Driven by the exhaust
cam on the right-hand cylinder bank, the pump provides a high and
consistent level of power, even in low ambient air pressure or high
altitude conditions and also during highly dynamic driving
conditions under mostly open throttle.
Stiff chassis, nimble suspension enhance performance
While the Cayman 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 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 for an even more sporting and dynamic dimension and with high reserves for safety. However, the strength of the Cayman body also allowed them to maximize the comfort of the driver and passenger.
At Porsche, performance includes safety and the Cayman 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 features spring-strut axles with separately mounted longitudinal and track control arms to assure precise wheel guidance while controlling body roll. The rear suspension also features spring-strut axles with longitudinal and track control arms.
Porsche Stability Management included
The 2007 Porsche Cayman 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. To provide the driver with more latitude in slower curves, PSM intervenes later when the vehicle is traveling at a rate below 45 miles per hour (70 km/h). The driver can deactivate the system with a switch and the system stays off until the driver applies the brakes. However, with enhanced PSM, the system does not reactivate until the driver presses firmly on the brakes, reaching the ABS threshold on at least one front wheel. For the enthusiast driver, this change allows more dynamic freedom, including slight use of the brakes in curves.
Porsche Active Suspension Management available
Porsche introduced PASM
— Porsche Active Suspension Management — technology on the 2005 911
Carrera, and this system also is available as an option on the 2007
Cayman. PASM provides two suspensions in one: a sporting but
comfortable setup for normal use and a very dynamic setup for
performance-driving situations. In effect, PASM provides two
suspension setups in a single vehicle — one for comfortable cruising
and everyday driving and the other for track-day or autocross
exercises.
By pressing a button on the center console, the driver can switch
from PASM “Normal” to PASM “Sport.” But there are advantages to PASM
even when left in its normal setting because it automatically
adjusts to changes in driving style, gradually becoming firmer in
response to greater dynamic forces.
The PASM system combines continuously adjustable shock absorbers, a pair of accelerometers — one in the front right damper dome, the other in the left rear — that determine vertical movements of the car’s body, and an electronic control unit that also has access to steering angle, road speed, brake pressure and engine torque figures. Compared to the standard Cayman suspension, 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.
This provides optimum damper control for each wheel with active dampers that have a similar structure as standard shocks, providing damping with oil pressure, but also a bypass valve that opens and closes to increase or reduce the oil flow as needed. PASM Sports activates a much firmer suspension control map for agile and dynamic handling, such as that sought in track situations.
Dynamic modules for nearly any driving situation
PASM is equipped with five special software modules—lane change, vertical control, lateral acceleration, brake and load change—to provide optimum settings for many driving conditions:
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 2007 Porsche Cayman 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.
Standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Porsche’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is standard on the 2007 Porsche Cayman and uses wheel sensors to constantly monitor the air pressure in each tire and to 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.
Multiple wheel/tire combos
The 2007 Porsche Cayman
rides on standard 17-inch wheels. Wheels are 6.5 inches wide in
front and eight inches wide in the rear. All tires are Z-rated
radials, 205/55 aspect in front and 235/50 in the rear.
18-inch and 19-inch wheels with wider tires are optional. The larger
wheels enhance vehicle dynamics and also shorten stopping distances.
Spare tire would add unnecessary weight
To save 22 pounds (10 kilograms) per car, and to provide additional room for luggage, the 2007 Porsche Cayman is not equipped with a spare tire or a jack for changing tires. Instead, cars have an electrical air compressor and emergency tire sealant. Damage, such as that caused by a nail in the tread, can be temporarily repaired by using the tire sealant and re-inflating the tire. Porsche reminds drivers not to exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) on a tire with a temporary repair and to have the tire replaced or professionally repaired as quickly as possible.
Cayman design: purely Porsche, but also unique
Some may look at the 2007 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 as merely the coupe version of the Boxster does disservice to both vehicles, each of which is unique with its own special characteristics. The 2007 Cayman 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, 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 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 2007 Porsche Cayman body is 172.1 inches (4371 mm) long, which makes it not quite half an inch longer than the Boxster and 3.5 inches (88.9 mm) shorter than the 911 Carrera. The Cayman 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.
Sophisticated interior features high-quality materials
The interior of the 2007 Porsche Cayman 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 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.
The Cayman 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.
The 2007 Porsche Cayman 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. 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 comes standard with a Porsche CD Radio CDR-24 and can optional be equipped with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM®) system includes available DVD navigation and the ability to play MP3 titles.
A Sound Package Plus with 9 speakers and also a BOSE® Surround Sound System is available as an option. The BOSE Surround Sound System has 10 speakers and a seven-channel digital amplifier specifically designed for the Cayman.
Safe by design
Every 2007 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.