Porsche Design Unveils Special Edition Cayman S

Porsche’s styling arm took a break from designing watches, cell-phones, yachts and we don’t know what else in order to visually enhance the Cayman Coupe. Available in just 777 examples, the “Porsche Design Edition 1” Cayman’s interior and exterior styling is inspired from the famous Chronograph 1s designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche 35 years ago. According to the German sports car maker, the market launch of the black Cayman will begin in Germany in November 2007 and in the United States in January 2008. -High res images and details after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: Limited-edition Cayman S as Porsche Design Edition 1

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, is to expand its mid-engine coupé model range with the launch, in November 2007, of the Cayman S “Porsche Design Edition 1”, a limited-edition special series. Porsche has incorporated various design disciplines into this very special mid-engine coupé: the black exterior emphasizes the purist nature of the 295-bhp sports car and, at the same time, is a nod to Porsche Design and the famous Chronograph 1s designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche precisely 35 years previously.

This look, cultivated by Porsche Design, imparts additional luxury and class on the Cayman S: the black leather and Alcantara upholstery harmonizes with refined details such as the instrument dials, the layout of which reflects that of all Porsche Design chronographs. Even the center console, dashboard, and door trims glisten in black, while the three-spoke sports steering wheel, the gear lever, the handbrake grip, and the roof lining are clothed in non-slip black Alcantara. The Porsche logo (crest) is embossed on the headrests.

The vehicle’s technical features are equally sophisticated: beneath the ten-millimeter-lower body, standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) actively controls the hardness of the shock absorbers and it features a special Sport mode that can be activated at the touch of a button for a really dynamic driving feel. Five-millimeter spacers together with 19-inch turbo wheels give the Cayman S “Porsche Design Edition 1” a presence that is reinforced yet further by the 235/35 ZR 19 tires at the front axle and the 265/35 ZR 19 tires at the rear.

The Porsche Design Studio, created by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche 35 years ago, has rapidly become a top international name for industrial design, luxury items, and consumer goods. Top-class functionality and esthetics glisten in the new “Porsche Design Edition 1” collection – in black or black matt, of course.

The Cayman S “Porsche Design Edition 1” standard equipment thus includes an elegant briefcase containing the Flat Six Chronograph, a pocket knife, a pair of sunglasses, a pen, and a key ring – all in black, even the knife blade, in keeping with the vehicle’s styling. The number of Cayman S “Porsche Design Edition 1” units is to be as exclusive as this series-production luxury package: only 777 are being built, and each will be identifiable from a badge on the lid of the glove box.

The market launch of this black Cayman with exclusive Porsche Design equipment, including briefcase, will begin in Germany in November 2007 and in the United States in January 2008. The base price is 58,600 Euros and, factoring in 19 percent value-added tax, the price in Germany will be 69,942 Euros.

RUF CTR3: 730Hp Porsche Cayman based supercar

Ruf let out its third iteration of its CTR supercar at there brand-new plant in Bahrain. The CTR3 is based on the Porsche Cayman and under its Carrera GT look-alike lightweight aluminium and carbon-fiber body it hides a twin-turbo 3.8-litre flat six delivering 700hp at 7.000rpm while maximum torque tops out at 890Nm. According to Ruf the CTR3 will be good enough for a top speed of 360 km/h – 224 mph. More details of the CTR3 will be handed out on a later date but don’t think it’ll be cheap as its rumored that it’ll feature a price tag of over 300.000 EUR or 400.000 USD. Via: Leblogauto - Click “Read More…” below for the image-gallery

Technorati: RUF+CTR3, Porsche+Cayman, Tuning, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Rinspeed Imola based on the Porsche Cayman & Rinspeed Indy 4S optical package for the 911 Carrera 4

Swiss tuner Rinspeed announced that it has prepared two exclusive packages for the 2007 Porsche Cayman & 911 Carrera 4 & 4S models. Not bad if you exclude the rather... kitsch "backgammon" roof stickers on the Cayman based, Imola and the dull design of the 20" alloys on both models.

Press Release - Rinspeed Imola - Porsche Cayman : Rinspeed has modified the Cayman characteristics with a low front skirt which takes design clues from the Indy look which was introduces for the 997 model series. The big carbon air intakes with the integrated parking lights remind of the current 997 Turbo model. New side skirts let the power house from Stuttgart appear lowered and sleeker. The complete rear skirt features a carbon difusor insert. Special attention was given to the exchangeable rear skirt inserts which allow either center or a dual exhaust systems. Headers, metal catalytic converters and stainless steel exhaust systems round up the exciting program.

The contact to the road is taken care by five spoke aluminum wheels C5/1 in the format of 8.5 x 20" with tires of the dimension 235/30-20 at the front axle and 11 x 20" with tires 305/25-20 at the rear. The suspension is lowered by 25mm by an especially laid out and engineered suspension kit which is adapted to the serial PASM system. Four way adjustable coil over suspension kits are also available. The interior is enhanced by a sporty steering wheel in F1 look, aluminum shift knob, aluminum pedals sets, emergency brake lever as well as velour floor mats.

Rinspeed Indy 4S – Porsche 911 Carrera 4 & 4S : The original front skirt is replaced by a complete Rinspeed front skirt which enhances the aerodynamic down force. Side skirts let the 997 appear lower and more dynamic. Additionally, a rear skirt with a diffuser optic has been developed. The tuner also offers aluminum wheel in the Design C5/1 in 20" for this model range. Wheels of 8.5 x 20" and tires of the maximal width of 245/30-20 can be fitted on the front axle where as the rear takes 11 x 20" wheels with tires of the dimension 305/25-20

Apart of the aerodynamics package, Rinspeed also offers a wide exhaust program. The possibilities range from oval end pipes to a flow optimized sport exhausts to high performance exhaust systems which include headers, metal catalytic converters and rear mufflers. Suspension wise Rinspeed opts for sporty lowering springs (approximately 25mm). Alternatively adjustable coil-over suspension kits can be ordered. Both sets are compatible with the original PASM system. The interior is enhanced by full leather trims, airbag sport steering wheels, aluminum pedals, aluminum foot rests and shift knobs.

Technorati: Rinspeed+Imola, Rinspeed+Indy+4S, Porsche+Cayman, Porsche+911+Carrera+4S, tune, tuning+news, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles

"Need for Speed -- Carbon" Car List Announced

EA announced the first cars that will be included in it's new version of "Need For Speed" dubbed Carbon, which will hit the roads in a few weeks. Apart from the Dodge Challenger Concept, the Aston Martin and the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO we saw on the promotional trailer of the all new NFS -click here to see the trailers: NFS Carbon, gamers will also get a chance to drive these 12 cars:

2003 BMW M3 GTR
2006 Porsche Cayman S
2006 Nissan 350 Z
2004 Lamborghini Murcielago
2006 Ford Mustang GT
2007 Audi Le Mans Quattro
2004 Lotus Elise
1998 Toyota Supra
2006 Alfa Romeo Brera
2006 VW Golf R32
2005 Mercedes CLK500
2006 Chrysler 300C SRT-8

Technorati: Need+For+Speed+Carbon, EA, games, Playstation, Xbox, Nintedo, PSP, Game+Boy+Advance, PC, Dodge+Challenger, muscle+cars, video, clip, auto+news,automobile,autos,vehicles,automotive,cars

Fifth Gear test's 2007 Audi TT. Can it beat the Cayman?

Without doubt, the last Audi TT had the looks, but it wasn't much fun to drive. The German’s knew this so they promised to make to make things right with the second generation model. The 2007 TT's a bit bigger, a bit lighter and it has new magnetic dampers - like Ferrari’s 599. Tom Ford from 5th Gear flew to Austria to find out if they're right. via: Autoblog.it

Technorati Tags: 5th+Gear, Audi+TT, 2007, video, clip, test, pictures, images, autos, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive,

TechArt “pimps up” Porsche’s new baby coupe: the 385 Hp Cayman S based GTsport

Now tell me, isn’t this just plain sexy? A big bravo to TechArt who did quite a good job on the Cayman body which looks so much sexier than the original, especially if you look at it from ¾ behind.

But, appearance isn’t the only thing that changed on the Cayman’s alter ego as the GTsport is as bad as it looks. At the heart of this mid-engine sports car lies the increase in displacement from standard 3,387 cm³ to 3,824 cm³. The increase is facilitated by a bore enlarged to 99 millimeters with the corresponding larger special pistons, and by the installation of a special crankshaft.

The engine conversion further includes sports camshafts. A modified intake manifold with special air filter system and an aluminum header provide ample combustion air. The interaction of all these components including the fully stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with high-performance manifold is orchestrated by new mapping for the engine electronics.

So what do all these conversion sum up too? Maximum power is now 385 hp / 283 kW while peak torque is 407 Nm . According to TechART, the GTsport sprints form 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds while it’s top speed is 285 km/h.

Aerodynamics: The TechArt GTsport front apron is designed to replace the production bumper. With its large air inlets and four auxiliary headlights it lends the two-seater a more dynamic appearance while reducing lift on the front axle at high speeds. The extendable carbon air splitter can further minimize aerodynamic lift.

The TechArt rocker panels were modeled to calm the airstream between front and rear wheel houses. They also give the two-seater a longer, sleeker appearance. Carbon mirror moldings round out the racing look of the TechArt GTsport.

To optimize downforce on the rear axle and for even more striking looks TechArt Automobildesign further equips the GTsport with a rear wing with extendable carbon gurney flap. The rear apron is refined by a carbon diffuser.

Wheels: The especially light-weight one-piece TechArt Formula five-spoke wheels are mounted on the front axle in size 8.5Jx20 with ContiSportContact 3 tires in size 235/30 ZR 20. The rear axle features wheels in size 11Jx20 with size 305/25 ZR 20 tires.

Suspension: Specially calibrated to these wheels and tires is the TechArt VarioPlus coil-over suspension for all vehicles that are factory-equipped with the electronically adjustable PASM damper system. This suspension not only allows adjustable ride-height lowering by up to 25 millimeters, but also manual selection of damper settings “Normal” and “Sport” at the push of a button in the cockpit. The dampers are not limited by the manually selected setting: Sporty driving automatically firms up the dampers in both suspension modes. The result is an optimal symbiosis of excellent ride comfort during normal driving and agile direct response during fast cornering.

Price: The GTsport will be built in small-series production with prices starting in Europe forma 100,000 euros.

Technorati Tags: Porsche+Cayman+S, TechArt+GTsport, tune, tuning+news, press+release, announcement, pictures, images, autos, auto+news, automobile,cars,automotive,specifications

Porsche Cayman: New basic version with 245 Hp

Following the market launch of the Cayman S in autumn 2005, Porsche is introducing the Cayman, a new basic version of the mid-engine sports coupé.

Engine: Based on the Boxster series, the two-seater is powered by a six-cylinder boxer engine with an engine-capacity of 2.7 liters and developing an output of 245 bhp (180 kW). Thanks to the Porsche VarioCam Plus system the Cayman affords a torque of 273 Newton meters available between 4,600 and 6,000 revs. Power is transmitted via a five-speed manual transmission with short, precise shifting travel. A six-speed manual transmission in conjunction with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is also available on request. As a third variant, Porsche offers its customers the well-known Tiptronic S five-speed automatic transmission, which has rocker switches in the steering-wheel spokes for sporty gear shifting.

Performance: It has a top speed of 258 kilometers per hour. This sports car with manual transmission accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The Cayman is convincing proof of the fact that outstanding performance statistics do not necessarily mean high fuel consumption. According to European standards, it consumes on average only 9.3 liters per 100 kilometers.

Chassis: The Cayman coasts along on 17-inch light-alloy wheels boasting a unique design with five double spokes. 205/55 tires are fitted as standard onto 6.5-inch wide wheel rims at the front; the combination at the rear is 235/50 tires on 8-inch rims. With the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system fitted as standard, the chassis makes an impressive impact in terms of driving dynamics and active safety.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is available as an optional extra. The system is capable of lowering the body by ten millimeters, and automatically adapts the shock-absorber system to each particular driving situation. The driver can choose between the “normal” and “sport” programs by pressing a button on the center console.

Design: Other special features of the Cayman are black brake calipers, black front-spoiler lips, a titanium-colored logo at the rear and also a trapezoidal tailpipe. The impressive interior boasts a comprehensive range of standard features including an air-conditioning system, a radio/CD player, seat covers in luxurious Alcantara leather, black-faced instrument dials and door entry trims with the Cayman logo. Because of the mid-engine concept, it boasts two trunk compartments with a combined volume of 410 liters, just like its big brother, the Cayman S. Along with many other storage features, this design highlights the sports coupé’s supreme practicality.

Safety: In additional to two full-size airbags to guarantee the necessary level of safety protection in the event of head-on collisions, the ingenious Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP), which features a chest and head airbag on each side of the vehicle, also provides excellent protection in side-on collisions.

Price: The basic price in euros for the Cayman is 40,900 euros. In Germany, the vehicle costs 47,647 euros including sales tax and country-specific requirements. The Cayman will be on sale in the USA for 49,400 dollars (not including tax). The market launch in Europe and the USA will take place on July 29, 2006.

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