The Los Angeles Motor Show was always going to be one of the highlights of the 2012 automotive calendar; many of the world’s top performance car manufacturers had announced launches of new models at the ten day event. The Jaguar XFR-S, Volvo S60 Polestar and Mercedes-Benz SLS Black Series were just some of the highly anticipated vehicles to be shown to the public for the first time. However, no vehicle was quite as hyped as the Porsche Cayman. The new sports car drew huge crowds at the show – it’s world debut. Boasting sharp dynamics and striking looks, the Cayman outshone its competitors and had would-be buyers and press falling over themselves to take a closer look.
Bigger and lighter
The second generation Cayman manages to exude extra space compared with its predecessor. The car was given extra inches on its bodywork in order to enable a larger cabin; it measures in at 35 mm longer than the previous model, stretching to 4,380 mm. Its width stays pretty much the same, growing by just one millimetre to 1,801 mm, and its height drops by more than ten millimetres to 1,295 mm. Despite the increased length, the car manages to lose weight, thanks to a redesigned platform that creates an improved weight distribution. The body is made mainly of aluminium, in a bid to keep the car’s weight as low as possible.
Boxster style
As was the case with the first generation Cayman, the second generation shares the same styling as the Boxster. The car’s unique features include indicators that are set inside round light units, as well as a heavily angled tailgate at the rear. The mid-engined coupé also boasts a much edgier style than the previous model. Larger cooling ducts contribute towards the car’s dramatic appearance, as well as a distinguished swage that runs across the doors. Similar to the recent Boxster models, the outside mirrors are positioned on the doors. The size of the wheelhouses has also been increased to allow for 19 inch wheels on the top of the range S models. Porsche is also offering 20 inch wheels as an upgrade option.
Higher levels of luxury
Although the car still remains a two-seater, there is a greater amount of space in the cabin thanks to the car’s longer length. Seats are more adjustable, and storage area is now greater; in fact, the new Porsche Cayman boasts 150 litres of luggage space in the front, and 162 litres in the rear of the vehicle. The car’s interior and dashboard have also been improved from that of the previous model. The finish and trim is a general higher quality and the range of in-car technology has also been improved.
The new Cayman will be sold in two engine sizes; the 2.7 litre and a remodelled version of the current 3.4 litre vehicle. There will also be a choice of two gearboxes; the six speed manual or the seven speed dual clutch unit. The latter gearbox is able to idle the engine and disengage the clutch in a bid to heighten fuel economy.
More power, better eco-creds
The power of the new model has increased; it measures in at 275 bhp, which is 10 bhp more than its predecessor. The car accelerates from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds, and reaches top speeds of 165 miles per hour. Fuel consumption is fairly good for a car of this calibre; the standard six speed model claims 34.5 mpg, as well as a CO2 emission of 192 g/km. The seven speed gearbox option not only increases acceleration (reaching 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds), but it also reduces fuel consumption to 36.7 mpg and CO2 emissions to 180 g/km.
Long waiting list
The new Porsche Cayman sparked huge interest and excitement at the LA Motor Show. The car is expected to have a long waiting list as a result. The good news for buyers is that the new Porsche Cayman comes with a relatively affordable price tag of £39,207. While the reasonable price will mean that some people will be able to pay for a Cayman outright, many buyers would need to take out a loan on a purchase this big. There are a whole host of specialist vehicle finance lenders out there, but APR rates vary largely from lender to lender depending on an applicant’s credit rating. It is therefore advisable to compare car loans before making a decision, in order to ensure you are getting the best deal. Some of the best car finance rates are available to those who have a good credit history, but even if you don’t have a perfect past, there are still reasonable loans on the market that could make the dream of becoming a proud Cayman owner into a reality.
