Autoblog

The Cayman has two events to get ready for: the Cayman S Sport, and a facelift. A blacked-out Cayman with larger wheel arches and bolt-on fender flares was spotted recently, and it could be a tester for either car. With the rumored suspension tweaks for the Cayman S Sport, this could be making room for a serious set of rubber to take advantage of, not to mention 303 hp. Or perhaps the next Cayman will get some bigger shoes... and that wouldn't be such a bad thing either.

[Source: Global Motors]

Click above for high-res gallery of the new special ed Boxster

With both the Boxster RS 60 Spyder and Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 already sold out, Porsche is moving on to its next pair of special edition mid-engine sportscars. Both of the new exclusive models feature a boost of a modest eight horsepower, but what differentiates them from their standard stablemates is more in the trim.

The Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2 is now decked out in Carrara White, from the exterior body color and the 19" SportDesign wheels to the center console and instrument faces. Grey racing stripes and a grey roof with black leather, meanwhile, complement the white theme.

The Cayman S Sport takes more of a "GT3 Junior" approach. The car comes standard in either orange or bright green, with the scripted name popping out of the retro black stripe on the lower flank, which is complemented by black wheels, black sideview mirrors and a blacked-out interior. (Black, red, yellow, white and silver are also available for the exterior color.) The Cayman S Sport also comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), a sports exhaust system, Alcantara grip trim, bi-xenon headlamps, the Sports Chrono Package and sports seats, and the ride height is dropped by fifteen millimeters.

Only 500 examples of the Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2 will be offered, along with 700 units of the Cayman S Sport. Check out the images in the gallery below and the press release after the jump for all the angles.

[Source: Porsche]

Click above for more renderings of the 2010 Porsche Cayman S

We're already smitten by the current-generation Porsche Cayman and its older brother, the Boxster, and it now appears as if the iconic German automaker is poised to improve the breed even further. What first began with forum rumblings now appears to be official information from the factory. The revised Boxster S and Cayman S models will get direct injection and the new seven speed PDK transmission along with a limited slip differential. That DI is responsible for an increase of 25 ponies to 320 hp along with 273 lb.-ft. of torque in the Cayman. Lesser models don't get the DI, but will get a displacement bump from 2.7- to 2.9-liters and a corresponding jump to 265 horsepower. The Boxster and Boxster S each offer ten fewer ponies than the Cayman.

Along with the new PDK transmission, which produces faster shifts than the conventional six-speed manual 'box, the Sport Chrono package will be available along with Launch Control. As is often the case with Porsche, a comparison is required to notice the revised front and rear fascias, but after some examination, we like what we see. Take a look at the galleries below of both the revised Cayman S and Boxster S models to judge for yourself.



[Source: Cayman Club via Jalopnik]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Porsche Cayman S

To many, the Porsche Cayman is just a look-alike twin to the drop-top Porsche Boxster. While it shares a platform, underpinnings, and even engine choices with its two-seat sibling, the Cayman performs a decidedly different role and delivers even more gratifying performance. Porsche dropped off a top-of-the-line Cayman S in the Autoblog Garage. It offers a more powerful engine and larger brakes over the standard Cayman model. Follow the jump to read our impressions on the Porsche Cayman S after we held the keys in our hands for a week.

All photos copyright Michael Harley / Weblogs Inc.

Click for a hi-res gallery of Porsche production in Finland

Porsche has announced that production of its Boxster and Cayman models is to shift to component supplier Magna Steyr's facility in Austria beginning in 2012. Last year the contract with Finland's Valmet to assemble the two associated mid-engined models was extended through 2012, after which the terms will expire and Magna will take over.

Porsche CFO and deputy chairman Holger P. Harter stressed that the decision was not a vote against Valmet – which has to date built over 200,000 vehicles for Porsche – but rather the result of several elements that Magna brought to the table: firstly, Magna's production is scalable so that it will only manufacture what Porsche's own factory in Zuffenhausen (where the rear-engined 911 series is made) cannot handle. Secondly, Magna is able to assume some development responsibilities along with the final assembly. Thirdly, Magna's proposal was more financially attractive (read: cheaper) than Valmet's. And finally, Magna already supplies various components to Porsche – including convertible roofs and body panels – creating the opportunity for future synergies between Porsche and various Magna subsidiaries.

Click on the thumbnails below to view the Porsche Boxster and Cayman production facility at Valmet in Finland.

[Source: Porsche]

It's been rumored for some time that Audi and Porsche would be teaming up to produce a handful of new models over the next five years. From a manufacturing standpoint, both automakers could benefit from shared development and production costs, while consumers would get their hands on some very compelling product.

The cornerstone of Audi's confusing salvo to "put old luxury on notice" is the expansion of its lineup to fill every conceivable niche. The extension of the "R" line of products – beginning with the R8 – is rumored to include a convertible version of Audi's midship V8 super coupe, along with an R4, R6 and an R10.

Details on the R6, which could slot in between Porsche's Cayman/Boxster and 911 range, and the R10 are scarce, but the next generation Boxster will share a platform with Audi, allowing the four-ringed crew to offer a midship coupe of its own. The R4 is expected to sport the TT's 2.0-liter TFSI four producing 268 hp or a 2.5-liter five-cylinder making upwards of 300 hp. Porsche and Audi are also likely to share everything from aluminum space frames to high-output diesels, torque-vectoring AWD systems and dual-clutch transmissions.

The only concern is how this massive amount of cross-pollination between brands could affect the sales of both automakers. Choice is good, but only if the market can sustain the amount of product being offered.

[Source: EGMCarTech]

Spies have caught the restyled Porsche Boxster and its hardtop sibling undergoing testing, and in keeping with Porsche tradition, the changes are easy to overlook. The majority of the restyling is visible in the haunches of the Cayman, where the tail lamps have grown and become more curvaceous – feminine even. Up front, LEDs have been installed within the new front fascia and AutoExpress expects some upgraded materials to find their way inside Porsche's midship duo when the refresh is unveiled later this year.

[Source: AutoExpress]

It looks like the relatively fresh Porsche Cayman will be staying one step ahead of the curve by undergoing an early touch-up. As these Brenda Priddy spy shots show, changes are afoot. Expected sometime next year, the 2009 model Cayman will feature a revised nose and rear fascia with reshaped lights that use LEDs. These are basically the same changes we noted on the recent spy shots of the '08 Boxster, which makes sense.

The front air intakes are more rounded, giving spotters an immediate point to differentiate old from new. From the back you'll notice the new bumper with its cat's eye lenses housing the aforementioned LED lighting. As with the Boxster news, there is still no word on powertrain or interior updates. Thankfully, the sexy flanks remain intact and we can only presume that the Cayman will soldier on as one of the best driving experiences on the road today. Click the read link for a few more full-size shots.

[Source: LeftLaneNews]

With styling cues inspired by its 997-based Indy, Zurich-based Rinspeed has developed an appearance and light tuning package for the Porsche Cayman. Dubbed "Imola," the slinky Cayman gets a blazing orange finish that's accented with Rinspeed's checkered-flag motif introduced on the Indy-- a love-it-or-hate-it element that we could certainly do without.

The bodywork incorporates new skirts in front and back with rocker panels to match. The rear skirt features a diffuser insert that accommodates either a center-exit or dual exhaust, which Rinspeed can also provide along with new headers and cats. Our opinion: the dual-exhaust version shown after the jump looks super. Handling is improved thanks to the tuner's suspension upgrades, which range from new coilovers to a full kit that fully integrates with the factory Porsche PASM system. Simple, good-looking five-spoke aluminum wheels complete the picture.

The cabin gets trimmed out with aluminum accents, an F1-style wheel, and velour floormats. To the chagrin of many, the flag-waving models pictured above are not included.

For Rinspeed, a company known for stylistic risk-taking, the Imola is pretty tame compared to some of the tuner's other quirky projects. For most shoppers, though, "tame" will translate to "just right." The Rinspeed Imola should find plenty of takers. Just nix the checkers....please.

(Press release, photo gallery after the jump)

[Source: Rinspeed]

Click to enlarge

For your weekend perusal, we bring you info on Strosek's Individual Program for the Porsche Cayman. Porsche tuners appear to be having their fair share of fun with the Boxster-based coupe, and here, Strosek Design is no exception.

There are varying degrees of tune, of course. The "lighter" tuning packages bumps the car's factory output of 295 horsepower up to a more robust 320. There is another option, however -- a 3.8L engine upgrade that gives the Cayman 380 horses and shaves .7 seconds off its 0-100km/h (62 mph) time, which becomes 4.7 sec. It also elevates its top speed from 171 to 179 mph.

Bodywork changes are fairly abundant, yet are more subtle than what you see from some other tuners. Of, course, there are the basics: a new front spoiler, rocker panels, and a larger carbon fiber replacement for the Cayman's stock motorized rear spoiler. In addition to those, Strosek also fits a roof spoiler, rear diffuser, and new rearview mirrors. Finally, the factory openings ahead of the rear wheels are enclosed in new ram air boxes.

Changes to the car's dynamics range from new springs to a full sport suspension dialed in on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The de rigeur wheel and tire upgrades are available in 19" and 20" sizes, and the interior can be dressed up in almost any number of ways.

The changes are both effective and generally tasteful, though we'd happily ditch the extra decals seen in a couple of the accompanying photos. Other than that, if we were to find one in our garage, you'd hear no complaints from us -- just happy giggles.

(Photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: Strosek]