Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring? - Jalopnik Comments

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

sciamop — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:50:11 EDT

Wow, a really speculative post -- it's turbo because it has LED headlights? Half the mid-90s Civics I see on the road have Xenon headlights -- does that mean they are AWD/turbo (like Evo)?

In nearly every single vehicle dynamic metric, the BMW 135i is on par (or close to it) with the upmarket M3. Why wouldn't Porsche follow suit?

In the luxury car market, cars are purchased primarily as status symbols. A Cayman will still be a "poor man's" Porsche even if it outperforms the 911 by a wide, wide margin.

But the 'car as status-symbol' thing goes completely against the defining philosophy of the company -- Cayenne vs Porsche 356 anyone? I think the new Nissan GT-R (or Z06) highlights Porsche's disconnect with it's own heritage. Could a $69K Cayman Turbo be the antidote?

sciamop

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Shapeshifter — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:52:06 EDT

@Al Navarro:

Daihatsu Copen. Even though i'd look like a complete #### driving it, i don't care.

Anyway, i bet you anything they're not "making this as good as they could" but will, instead, cripple it in some way. It'll probably sit precisely between a 911 and a 911 turbo, from bhp to price.

Shapeshifter

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

avusone — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:18:16 EDT

However, I guarantee you many Porsche owners have a ZO6 and will have a ZR1.
Because they are not ugly and are worth what they cost. Its called value.
There's room for more than a few performance cars for different tastes, as long as they're worth what they cost in the owner's mind.

avusone

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

AndyDuncan — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:50:19 EDT

Here's hoping it's actually a mule for the Mid-engined replacement to the 911 that porsche should have made 20 years ago.

Godzilla has forced their hand. They need help from our good friend Newton if they're going to compete.

AndyDuncan

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

CEman — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:40:33 EDT

@kchilaka:
They are not in the same league eh? I really doubt anyone thinking of buying a Cayman is going to consider a GTR. And vice-versa.
Speaking for myself, I would rather push my 01 Ranger than push that butt ugly GTR.
Now a Cayman. I would give my first born child, if I had one that is...

CEman

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:34:15 EDT

@janstett:
Cotomer sevis says...beware the dreaded double post. Have patience with Gawker Media Hamster Wheel....

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

SweetZombieJesus — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:21:13 EDT

Mmm, I'd love a Cayman Turbo S. It's about time Porsche stops holding this car back. Personally I have an aversion to the 911, between the engine being in the wrong place, the unnecessarily high profit margins, and the stigma of the soulless upper middle class pricks buying C4 cabriolet automatics. Plus I'm a fan of Porsche's black sheep, I drive a 944 Turbo.

SweetZombieJesus

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

SweetZombieJesus — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:15:36 EDT

Mmm, I want a Cayman Turbo S so bad. I have an aversion to the 911 between the unnecessarily profitable (high) price, engine in the wrong place, and the jerks who usually buy them.

BTW I drive a 944 Turbo so I have a fondness for Porsche's anti-heroes.

SweetZombieJesus

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:06:37 EDT

@long_live_the_E36:
I loved the RS America (yay for door pull loops)...will have to get up to speed on the Cayman GT3 (I assume a tuner mod?)

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:05:14 EDT

@no_slushbox:
I know, right? Who the hell would drive a TT besides some image conscious poseur?

BTW, due to a family emergency, I had to drive my 60-something parents home from a relative's in the TT last night. 2 hours, with my mom reclined across both back seats due to lack of legroom with my dad and I in the front seats.

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

elwood — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:04:57 EDT

@piththeelder: There's gotta be a supercharger kit out for the Cayman. I know they sell such things for Boxsters, and the two aren't that different.

elwood

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

long_live_the_E36 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:00:47 EDT

@Al Navarro: "I wish everyone who had the coin to buy a Cayman in any form would look into buying either an early 911 or one of the G50 Carreras. Maybe even a 356. It would make the world a better place.

Or better yet, reach deep into your soul and wallet and get an old RSR or new GT3 RS."

Atta boy. You're talking my language. But how about a Cayman GT3 or RS America? That'd get me interested in modern Porsches again...

long_live_the_E36

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

no_slushbox — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:34:35 EDT

@Al Navarro: I'm not saying I would buy it. I'm just saying that competition is putting the Germans on notice that they have to produce purer, less expensive sports cars - and that's a good thing.

Anyway, you should see what Audi charges to take a Golf and ruin the interior space with a swoopy roof (just kidding).

no_slushbox

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

avusone — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:33:52 EDT

With so many commentators proclaiming the GTR as a ZO6 and ZR1 killer... Why would anyone think any Cayman short of a Carrera GT would be competitive with a GTR ??

avusone

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

NovaloadMissesPolar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:31:56 EDT

Reading this thread, I realize I have no bidness on it. Like the proverbial hog at Sunday School. Fish out of water. See you back a PCH.

NovaloadMissesPolar

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

piththeelder — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:24:13 EDT

Cayman Turbo is my dream car. As far as I can tell no one is even offering turbo kits for the Cayman right now. If Porsche comes out with this I will forgive them for the Cayenne.

piththeelder

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:11:16 EDT

@no_slushbox:
Regarding the 1 Series...I'm sure it's as awesome as a RWD compact with 300 hp can be, but please, $35k?!?

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

smsolo1 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:41:35 EDT

@Al Navarro:
i agree. i've seen many wrecked 911s. they are a brute offering great protection. structural integrity would be my last concern. extra is always better.

smsolo1

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

j6r — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:29:56 EDT

I thought this was another Panamera sighting, which seems to rival the Camaro for taking the longest time to get to the market.

j6r

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

no_slushbox — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:29:30 EDT

Back to the Cayman Turbo, it is another really good example of the bullshit being taken out of cars. The Cayman is unquestionably a better car than the 911, but right now it can't get the good engines because "Ve hav vays of upselling you."

The rest of the world is finally producing really good RWD manaual transmission sports cars, and Germany has been put on notice. The Miata and the Hoondai and the Corvette and the GTR (sadly no manual) are forcing the Germans to make the 1-series (which unfortunately might not be as good as I'd hoped) the Cayman Turbo and hopefully even more to come.

@Al Navarro: The lawyer in me will have to point out that the Lexus IS is a Japanese subcompact (when I looked the STI and EVO are actually big enough to be compacts).

no_slushbox

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

elwood — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:21:55 EDT

@Al Navarro: You only need to see out the back if someone's gonna pass you.

elwood

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:21:13 EDT

@TheBrudwich:
Wow, and we were having such a nice discussion here. Don't make me get all cotomer sevis on your a$$ now...

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:20:14 EDT

@elwood:
There's a reason why I just switched to a crossbraced FIA-spec roll bar recently compared to the one that came with the car...Caterham had made this bar for the r500 that had larger OD tubing, but the actual wall of the tubing was like a McD's straw...and no crossbracing. The difference in weight was like 8 lbs to 33 lbs. Though I can barely see out the back now...

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

elwood — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:13:40 EDT

@Al Navarro: Not that I have any experience, but probably a little bit from column A, a little bit from column B. Modern FEA has done wonders for the way engineers design things like car frames. And yeah, a tube frame Seven is gonna be tough, but you've got to have an overhead roll bar to really be protected. And the thing about new cars is, while you will probably survive a crash in your Seven, in a modern car the driver is probably more likely to walk away with no injury at all.

elwood

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

TheBrudwich — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:03:43 EDT

@elwood: Preferring classic to modern Porsches is not about "pining for the good old days", nor is traditional hotrodding just an excuse made by people with slow cars. You clearly don't get it. That's fine. Admit this to yourself, then learn to keep your condescending explanations as to why people like things besides the GT-R and the latest Ruf Porsche to yourself. Good day, sir.

TheBrudwich

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:01:04 EDT

@sos10:
You better love the smell of hydraulic fluid in the morning.

---
As for early Porsches being deathtraps, are you guys referring to the "dreaded trailing throttle oversteer"? or just structural integrity?

Remember, I'm writing all of this from the perspective of driving a "what crumple zone" Se7en...I've seen some crash pix and vids, and the little cars are amazingly tough.

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:56:38 EDT

@no_slushbox:
How about that for a QOTD with an extremely narrow focus.."If you could only own and drive one car, and it had to be based on a Japanese sub-compact, what would it be?"

Hah.

I'm partial to all-wheel drive myself, so that limits my options for a "Swiss Army Knife Car", but note that I do not drive either an EVO or STI (or WRX, even). Bruce can have that effect on a person.

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

The Name's Ash78, Housewares — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:56:28 EDT

I think the early 90s Boxsters are slowly moving into the realm of affordable semi-classics, and they still have many modern safety features.

For me, the decision would also have to make financial sense (little depreciation during my ownership; total cost well below a modern car), so the Boxster is a nice balance of old and new. Not sure I'm ready to deal with an old 911 yet...

The Name's Ash78, Housewares

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

sos10 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:56:16 EDT

@Al Navarro: Unfortunately, old porsches are real deathtraps, the safety difference is huge... I like the old porsches very much.. but whenever I have a drive way to get my 3rd toy car... it will be a vintage Citroen SM... so let's say I'm saving my patience (of maintaining an old car) for that one.. it will be needed.

sos10

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

no_slushbox — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:49:19 EDT

@Al Navarro: I know they get good lap times, but I wouldn't pick an STI or EVO as my daily driver unless the question was "If you could only own and drive one car, and it had to be based on a Japanese sub-compact, what would it be?" For less than Cayman money the Solstice Targa Turbo looks really good.

I'm sure that people have bit it in a Cayman, but it definitely takes more effort than in an old 911 or 356.

Speaking of how safe new cars are, for all of the dramatic, insane crashes have there actually been any Enzo deaths? Amazingly I don't think there have been at least for any of the crashes that have been reported.

no_slushbox

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

7Seven — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:45:56 EDT

@Al Navarro: Ditto on the flatbed for a new 5 series earlier this week on the side of the freeway. It seems BMW may have crossed the threshold of too much tech to make the cars far too complicated - my E46 seems to have maintainability engineered into it, but the E90/E92 doesn't even have a dipstick FFS!

The old Benzes are crazy reliable, safe, maintainable and thoroughly wonderful machines...a late 80s 560 SEC will still pull like a train and even get decent mileage if it's setup correctly. Plus, here in CA you see a lot of very tidy examples thanks to the climate.

7Seven

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

elwood — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:34:43 EDT

@Al Navarro: I think most anything is more reliable than said E-type. He drives it to work sometimes, and I got a story about how once it crapped out on the way home.

But I think you underestimate the effect of modern crash structures and chassis design in enhancing the safety of vehicles. Though I'd just like to point out that we're not disagreeing, I too think a vintage 911 is cooler than a new Cayman. I'm just presenting reasons why most would probably pick a new Cayman over an old 911.

elwood

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:23:52 EDT

@no_slushbox:
I was just thinking of that same QOTD...though I'm sure it will mostly lead down the GTR, STI, EVO road.

As for your point about accidents, I'm sure that more than a few people have already died in Caymans...we just don't see it publicized as we do with Enzos or "flying" BMWs.

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:21:04 EDT

@elwood: @sos10:
I think people underestimate the safety and reliability of older cars...especially older German cars. Hasn't Bruce personally wrenched every one of them before it left the factory? And didn't we all mostly survive the era of infrequent use of belts and no child seats relatively intact?!? (How we survived still amazes me.)

I'd like to think an old 911 would be tons more reliable than Elwood's uncle's E-Type. Maybe not Honda reliable, but hey...just the other day I saw a driver of a very new 3 series getting flatbedded.

As for safety...my POV is that in a catastrophic accident, only a big benz or volvo will truly save your bacon. Yes, yes, airbags do save lives...but if the kind of safety you're looking for is traction control or electronic stability, well then I say take a driving class and save your 8/10ths and up driving for the track.

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

no_slushbox — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:17:28 EDT

@Al Navarro: I would be careful with the second car assumption, especially for the Cayman. It's likely the most common choice as an only car in the entire Porsche lineup.

When we're talking about second cars there is a lot of room for debate, but if a person is only able to own one car then is no choice better than a Cayman, except for maybe a Cayman Turbo. (note to staff, if "If you could only own and drive one car what would it be?" has not come up as a QOTD yet then it should.

Also, unlike all of the old Porsches that you cite, a Cayman will not kill a person in a bad accident. Do not doubt the value of that as a selling point.

no_slushbox

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

elwood — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:00:29 EDT

@Al Navarro: You make a good point, if you already have a reliable daily driver, there's no need to have the same concerns when buying a second car. The only answer I can give you is that people want the performance, warranty, or just don't want to mess with the hassles of an old car.

My uncle has a 928 as his daily driver, but also restored a 1973 Jaguar E-type. And while the E-type is awesome (and I love it), some people don't want to mess with the problems that come with keeping it running. With a Cayman, even if it's your second car, you don't have to worry about it mysteriously not starting up, and then trying to fix it later.

elwood

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

jbarrow — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:59:40 EDT

@Al Navarro:
You make a good point Al. I now wish I had done that instead of buying a Boxster two years ago. I have no complaints with the car and it has been wonderful to drive every day and is very functional, but I would have saved a lot of money and had at least as much fun in an older 911.

jbarrow

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

sos10 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:56:33 EDT

@Al Navarro: I was about to do that actually... but as I (we) use it as a daily driver.. I needed modern reliability and safety too.. old Porsches lack both.

sos10

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:52:30 EDT

@elwood:
I know, and I mourn for them...

I'm figuring for many people who buy them, the Cayman (which I have grown to really like the looks of) is not an only car.

So, if you already have some driving appliance...even if it's a nice sport sedan or whatever...why not get a timeless car and not one that will soon be replaced by a hotter model. I'm a broken record on this, I know...

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

elwood — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:48:28 EDT

@Al Navarro: I know people like to pine for the "good old days", but not everyone wants to drive an old car.

elwood

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

smalleyxb122 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:47:54 EDT

Amongst many new 911 buyers, it seems the highest price paid wins. A cheaper car, even if it does out gun its big brother, won't cut it. So Porsche shouldn't worry too much about detracting potential 911 sales.

Amongst the rest of us, the best performance per dollar spent is a pretty big bragging right. (though we're not in the circle of those capable of buying a Cayman, either)

Part of me thinks that this will sell for damn near (within $10k or so) the cost of whatever 911 variant it can outrun, and those 911's costing significantly more will still outpace the Cayman Turbo.

smalleyxb122

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

smsolo1 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:44:00 EDT

boing.
anyone think Porsche has been trying to slowly move the 911 market to the Cayman and the Cayman eventually replaces the 911?
i love the 911 but this car seems inevitable.

smsolo1

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

banditsc — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:43:32 EDT

You can always send your new Cayman down the road to RUF and get it supercharged and a few other things to bring up the fun factor.

banditsc

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

Al Navarro — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:42:04 EDT

Can I use this post to further my "anti-modern Porsche" agenda?

Oh wait, i just did.

---
I wish everyone who had the coin to buy a Cayman in any form would look into buying either an early 911 or one of the G50 Carreras. Maybe even a 356. It would make the world a better place.

Or better yet, reach deep into your soul and wallet and get an old RSR or new GT3 RS.

[/end of rant]

Al Navarro

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

elwood — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:37:05 EDT

Hell, how about an article on the GT3-powered Cayman from the article. That thing looked like a wicked beast.

elwood

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:36:22 EDT

@saabophile2: A goat did what to your ass?

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

The Name's Ash78, Housewares — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:36:06 EDT

The Cayman is a real head-turner, to me. The modern 911 almost seems common at this point. I don't know how long that will last, but the Cayman still seems pretty rare in comparison.

The Name's Ash78, Housewares

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

brandegee — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:35:57 EDT

This'll probably drop in the next refresh...Porsche'll want a turbo in its whole lineup. It's too bad the Cayman is the worst in sales.

I'd rather see the equivalent of a Cayman GT3...I don't understand why they don't take this thing to the track.

brandegee

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

kchilaka — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:35:02 EDT

Perhaps the new R35 GT-R's handling balance finally tipped Porsche's hand.. Give the Cayman more power and perhaps it can compete with the Gt-R around a track..

kchilaka

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:34:46 EDT

Is it being followed around everywhere by a Nissan GT-R?

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

saabophile2 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:32:41 EDT

Eine Ziege aß gerade mein Rektum!

saabophile2

Porsche Cayman Turbo Spied On The Nürburgring?

layabout — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:30:46 EDT

About time,if its true. Great looking car & doesn't have the same stigma as newer 911 owners have.

layabout