Report: Next Porsche Cayman to get 4-cylinder turbo

2012 Porsche Cayman S Black Edition

Spy shots of the latest Cayman have just been released as the next 911 and Boxster line up for their debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this September.

As expected from usual Porsche trends, the general design and structure of the car pretty much goes unchanged just as the Boxster and 911 have yet to undergo a complete redesign. The biggest differences though, aside from reworked aesthetic appointments such as body panels, interior and lighting is that the new Cayman will share majority of its backbone with the new 981 Boxster and 991 911.

Both the Boxster’s and Cayman’s wheelbase have been extended by 60mm to help increase legroom and high-speed stability. Overall length has also been increased but since the wheelbase itself was also increased, front and rear overhangs have shrunk as well. Despite the increase in size and extra collision protection, both the Cayman and Boxster are expected to lose up to 15kg when compared to the outgoing models.

Going back to aesthetics, the new Cayman and Boxster will feature unique body panels doors that will help further separate them from the rear-engined 911. Those body panels will also help both models to be more aerodynamic for efficiency and stability.

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As for the engines, a myriad of options are being considered but won’t debut until the facelift of the new models in 2015 and 2016. Depending on the demand of the customers, both the Cayman and Boxster models could expect to see completely new drivetrains. Some of the options include a bored out version of the current flat-four, which means 2.5L of displacement and two turbochargers, for an output of 355-hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. A smaller 1.6L version will also be produced but will be saved for the new entry-level 356 model and its VW or Audi stablemates. Equally, a hybrid version of both the Cayman and Boxster may be seen in 2016.

All of that said, the new Cayman and Boxster will debut with the company’s familiar flat-sixes and will gain an extra 10-hp. The engines were also slightly reworked to weigh less and be more efficient than the out going versions and will feature a stop-start option. Other changes include a complete redesign of the cooling system and a new electrically-assisted power steering system, which contribute to a total drop in consumption by about 18%.

The Cayman is expected to hit showrooms in the UK by the end of 2012 with the US release not too far off. Pricing will be announced later closer to release.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: CAR