The 2012 Porsche - Review and First Drives

Porsche claims that the brand-spankin'-new 2012 Cayman R isn't called the RS because of the famed sports car maker's budget. See, a proper Porsche RS model is raced by privateers with factory support, and Porsche just doesn't have the extra cash lying around to do a proper, factory-backed Cayman RS. But I don't think that's the real reason. Between yo

u and me, that extra S would've added weight.

Besides adding lightness, Porsche also added more power. Whereas the 3.4-liter f

lat six in the Cayman S (and in the Boxster Spyder) is good for 320 hp @ 7200 rpm, the Cayman R, with its revised exhaust system and engine management, makes 330 hp @

7400 rpm -- and, with the optional sport exhaust, enough beautiful music to replace the missing radio.

The R rides 20 mm (0.79 inch) lower than the regular S. Stiffer springs and dampers work with revised sway bars to flatten handling. Visually, the R is quite outspoken, with a rear spoiler whose upper surface is painted silver or black, whichever provides more

contrast with the car's base color. It comes with the nineteen-inch wheels from the Boxster Spyder as well as the limited-slip differential that's optional on the Cayman S. Inside, ultra-cool pull-straps replace the interior door handles, just like in the 911 GT3 RS (and the Boxster Spyder)