Currently reading: LA motor show: New Porsche Cayman scooped

Second-gen Cayman gets a lightweight aluminium body, roomier cabin and upgraded six-cylinder engines

These are the latest pictures of the second-generation Porsche Cayman. The new model's development programme is understood to be at an advanced state. Our pictures show the Cayman high speed testing on German autobahn.

Previous images, also shot during the car's development programme, captured a model showing almost 90,000 miles on its odometer. The new Porsche Cayman will be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show in November.

The mid-engined two-seater gets the same lightweight aluminium body, roomier cabin and upgraded six-cylinder engines as its sister car, the new third-generation Boxster.

The base Cayman’s engine will be a 2.7-litre flat six, downsized from the 2.9 in today’s car. It’s expected to produce about 280bhp, up from 262bhp in the 2.9. The Cayman S will get a 3.4-litre flat six with about 330bhp, up from 315bhp in today’s car.

The new Cayman will be offered with a six-speed manual as standard and 
an optional seven-speed, 
dual-clutch auto gearbox.

The aluminium body is aligned to an all-new chassis that boasts a longer wheelbase and significantly wider front track. The suspension retains MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Wheels are up to 20 inches — up from 19 inches previously. The bigger wheels can house larger brakes.

Like the latest Porsche 911, the Cayman’s steering eschews hydraulic assistance for a new electro-mechanical system.

A limited-slip differential will be an option as part of the Porsche Torque Vectoring package. This is likely to be offered on the Cayman S only.

The Cayman will mirror the look of the new Boxster, which itself drew inspiration from 
the Carrera GT.

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Car review

Is the Porsche Cayman a Boxster with a fixed roof, or a mini 911 with the performance and handling to rival much more expensive rivals?

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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matsoc 31 July 2012

now the 911 has grown...

The new 911 feels more a GT and less a sportcar than before, why not start offering a proper Cayman RS with 400bhp+ engine, lighter body and manual gearbox?

Peter Cavellini 31 July 2012

Like the 911?

Car gets a tweak now and again to keep it fresh,keep ahead of the others, all it needs really.

Onehp 10 June 2012

18"

Brakes have always been smaller than the rims offered, so no need for 20" for that reason...

I hope they offer a nice and light 18" option -  a back-to-basics Cayman (without S ) would be my preference methinks (oh hope you're wrong about the LSD)