Porsche launches Cayman R 25 | 11 | 2010

THIS IS THE first look at the new Porsche Cayman R which will enter Scottish showrooms in February. The ultra-lightweight Cayman uses lightweight components and a number of alterations to the spec sheet to shed 55kg from the Cayman S.

Out goes the air conditioning and the stereo, and in comes lightweight 19in alloy wheels (as seen on the Boxster Spyder), carbonfibre sports bucket seats and lighter interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS.

There's a further 10bhp of power thanks to a mild retune of the Cayman S’s 3.4-litre powerplant which takes output up to 325bhp. The new power-to-weight ratio of 252bhp per tonne (247bhp per tonne with a PDK gearbox) has been improved thanks to the slight increase in grunt — torque remains the same at 273lb/ft — and weight reduction.

It's no slouch, sprinting from standstill to 62mph in 5.0secs, 0.2s quicker than the Cayman S, and reaches an increased top speed of 175mph (up from 172mph). The PDK-equipped R covers 0-62mph in 4.7sec and hits 174mph.

A limited-slip differential, as well as a sports suspension that lowers the car by 20mm, comes as standard on the chassis set-up. The car’s fuel tank is slightly smaller, at 54 litres.

The Cayman R also comes with what Porsche has labelled its Cayman Aerokit: a fixed rear spoiler in a contrasting colour, black-framed halogen headlights, contrasting side mirrors and Porsche side stripe decals. The Peridot metallic paint shown on the launch car will also be exclusive to the R.

It's not exactly cheap. It'll set you back anything from £51,731 (with 20% VAT) for a manual version — that's around £5000 more than a Cayman S — though Porsche does throw in a Driving Experience at Silverstone.

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Jim McGill