Given Porsche’s success with the Boxster Spyder, it’s no surprise that the Stuttgart automaker would roll out a lightweight, de-contented version of its popular Cayman sport coupe as well. Perhaps the worst-kept secret of the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Cayman R is expected to makes it’s world debut in LA next week.
Details are sketchy, but you can expect more of less, just like the Boxster Spyder. I’d look for extensive use of carbon fiber (including seat backs), nylon loop door pulls (like the GT3 RS), Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (probably with a lowered ride height), stiffer sways and a bit more horsepower than the Cayman S (which comes from the factory with 320 hp). You’ll probably have less sound deadening as well, which will make the Cayman R better suited to weekend track duty than to Friday night runs to your local sushi bar.
Auto Spies is predicting a price tag of around $65,000, which sounds about right for a less-is-more version of the Cayman. As with the Boxster Spyder, I’d expect the Cayman to be a limited availability model: if you want one, you’d best begin sucking up to your local Porsche dealer now.