2012 PORSCHE CAYMAN S steering

17
Interior.
Creating an uncompromising sports car
takes conviction. Giving it an unmistaka-
ble design takes flair. Driving a car like
this takes both – as well as an interior
that helps the driver to concentrate on

the essentials.
In the new Cayman, this has been made
possible by a newly developed and clearly
presented interior architecture that gives
a feeling of open space and offers plent y
of freedom of movement around the low-
positioned standard Sports seats. At the
centre of this development is the driver.
An imposing feature of the interior is the
redesigned ascending centre console. We believe that the gear lever should be

positioned close to the steering wheel to
enable fast, sporty and ergonomic gear -
shifts. It ’s just one of many principles
that we’ve transferred from the racetrack
to the road. As you would expect, the
ignition lock is on the right. The three-
spoke sports steering falls per fectly
to
hand. Behind it are the three central
circular instruments, which give you
all the important information you need.
The new and generously proportioned
luggage compartment is located under -
neath the wide rear screen. The large
rear hatch above the exquisitely st yled
luggage compartment has a wide opening
angle. The luggage protection bar is
finished in brushed aluminium just like the
inlay bet ween the upper and rear luggage
spaces. Storage compartments on both
sides of the cabin offer additional stow -
age room.
And despite our st yling strategy for
the new Cayman following a clear line,
the finishing touches are down to you.
We offer a comprehensive range of
personalisation
options and a wide
selection of colours and materials.
In this way, you can turn
the new
Cayman into what it was intended
to be:
your Cayman.
Vital to advancement:
a clear line.

Design.

20
It ’s always worth taking the direct route:
from stimulus to response, from resting
pulse to pounding heart, from impulse to
endorphin rush – not least when the dis-
tance to travel is less than half a metre.
The new Cayman is equipped with a com -
pletely newly developed 2.7- litre boxer
engine and the Cayman S is driven by a

3.4-litre variant, both of which are tuned
for sport y driving. Accelerator pedal in -
puts are translated directly into propul -
sion. Maximum torque is available over a
broad engine speed range. Both engines feature direct fuel injection
(DFI) and VarioCam Plus. Power is trans
-
mit ted to the wheels by a smooth
6-speed manual gearbox or the optional

7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK).
Exemplary efficiency is achieved by means
of sophisticated technologies. As stand ard,
these include the auto start/stop function,
electromechanical power steering, elec -
trical system recuperation and intelligent
thermal management. The result, depend -
ing on the equipment variant, is a 16 %
reduction in CO2 emissions compared with
the previous model.
Six cylinders. Four heart chambers.
Just 30 cm apart.

e ngineering.
Thanks to our principles of intelligent light -
weight construction, we have succeeded
in making the body stiffer and simultan-
eously lighter. The chassis has been com -
pletely revised. For enhanced dynamic per -
formance and increased driving stability
when the car is pushed to the limit, both
models are equipped with Porsche Stability
Management (PSM). Enhanced Porsche
Active Suspension Management (PASM)
is available as an option and includes a
ride height reduction of 10 mm. Porsche
Torque Vectoring (PT V) with rear differen -
tial lock for increased agilit y and traction
in corners is also available on request.
For fuel consumption, CO
2 emissions and efficiency class, please refer to page 131.
The optional Sport Chrono Package makes
the response and handling characteristics
of the new Cayman even sportier. For the
first time, the package now also includes
dynamic transmission mounts, which make
a perceptible contribution to handling
stabi l ity in fast corners whilst ensuring
a high degree of ride comfort.
Several years of development work and
countless draf ts later, our engineers have
realised their goal: the direct link bet ween
action and reaction. Experience the result
in the new Cayman, and let your pulse
rate be the measure of success.
The new Cayman models |
Engineering

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43
Six-speed manual gearbox.
The new Cayman models are equipped
as standard with the six-speed manual

gearbox. Gearshifts are smooth, precise
and optimally adapted to the respective
engine map. Shift throws are short and
the gear lever is easy to operate, provid -
ing a truly engaging driving experience.
The upshift indicator located in the central
circular instrument helps you to maximise
fuel efficiency.
The ascending centre console reinforces
the authentic sports car feel. It positions
the gear lever close to the steering wheel,
enabling you to change gear as fast and
as ergonomically as possible.
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK).
Of course, you could let us take care of
the gearshift strategy so that you can
devote all your at tention to your cornering
strategy.
Available as an option is the completely
retuned 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung
(PDK), featuring both manual and auto -
matic modes. The advantages are percep -
tible. Gear changes take place with no
interruption in the flow of power. Sharper
gearshift programs and significantly short -
er shift times produce faster acceleration
than with the manual gearbox. Fuel econ-
omy and comfort characteristics have also
been optimised. In response to a less
assertive driving st yle, shif t points are

recalculated to make use of the more
comfortable and more economical engine
speed ranges, and coasting mode is acti -
vated where possible (p. 44).
This is how PDK works: PDK is essentially
t wo gearboxes in one, thus requiring t wo
clutches. This double clutch arrangement
provides an alternating, non-positive con -
nection between the two half gearboxes
and the engine by means of t wo separate
input shafts. The flow of power from the
engine is transmit ted through one half
gearbox and one clutch at a time, while

the next gear is preselected in the second
half gearbox. During a gear change, there -
fore, one clutch simply opens and the
other closes at the same time, enabling
gear changes to take place within milli
-
seconds.
PDK has seven forward gears at its
disposal. Gears 1 to 6 have a sports
ratio and top speed is reached in sixth

gear. Seventh gear has a long ratio and
keeps
engine speed low to reduce fuel
con
sumption and improve comfort.
1 Gear lever for six-speed manual gearbox
2 Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) gear selector
3 Gearshif t switch on spor ts steering wheel
in conjunction with PDK
y ou’ve developed your own strategies for advancement.
So have we.

Transmission.
For fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and efficiency class, please refer to page 131.

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Strong relationships need sincerity,
common goals and the abilit y to over-
come difficult situations in unison.
The chassis of the new Cayman models
develops a strong bond with the road. It
is specifically matched to the high power
output of the respective engine. A xle
components are made predominantly of

aluminium, which helps to keep the weight
of the vehicle and its unsprung masses
low. The results are impressive driving
dynamics with practically zero pitch and
roll, high levels of comfort and safet y and
lower fuel consumption. The track of the new Cayman models has
been widened and the wheelbase has

been extended by 60 mm compared with
that of the previous model. This improves
stabilit y. The new independent suspension
features light weight spring-strut axles
with longitudinal and transverse links. The
cross member at the front axle has been
refined for optimum stiffness and robust -
ness. How does this benefit you? Greater
directional stability, sharper steering preci -
sion and sportier handling.
Porsche active Suspension management
(PaSm ).
Optional PASM, the electronic damping
control system, actively and continuously
regulates the damping force for each
wheel according to the road conditions
and driving st yle. In addition, the suspen -
sion is 10 mm lower than that of the
st a n d a rd s e t u p .
The system is always active in the back-
ground, ready to assist you automatically
without you having to switch it on. Never -
theless, t wo modes are available at the
push of a but ton so that you can adapt
handling to suit your preferred driving
st yle: ‘Normal’ which is a blend of perfor-
mance and comfort, and ‘Sport ’ where
the setup is much firmer. Depending on
the mode selected, therefore, PASM can
be sportier and more comfortable than
the standard chassis. The PASM control
unit evaluates the driving conditions and modifies the damping force on each of
the wheels optimally in accordance with
the selected mode.
Sensors record all wheel and body move
-
ments. This enables intelligent adaptation
of damper stiffness for the selected
mode, optimising contact between each
individual t yre and the road for even less
roll and pitch.
h ow do we nurture our relationship with the driver?
By purposefully strengthening our bond with the road.

Chassis.
1 Front axle of the Cayman S
2 Rear axle of the Cayman S

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In ‘Sport ’ mode, for example, the suspen -
sion is set to a harder damper rating. On
uneven roads, PASM immediately switch -
es to a softer rating, thereby improving
contact bet ween the t yres and the road.
When the road surface improves, PASM
automatically reverts to the original,
harder rating. If ‘Normal’ mode is select -
ed and the driver’s st yle becomes more
assertive, PASM switches to a harder
rating to increase driving stabilit y and
road safety.
Steering.
Our interpretation of efficiency is a sys -
tem that works only when it is needed,
and then does so in a particularly effec -
tive way. Whereas a conventional hydrauli -
cally assisted steering system draws
engine power continuously, the electric
motor of the electromechanical system
in the new Cayman models uses energy
only when you actually steer. As a result,
fuel consumption is reduced and the
absence of hydraulic fluid eliminates the need for servicing the system. These
t wo advantages are also beneficial to
the environment.
A variable steering ratio preserves the
precise and direct steering response
associated with the t ypical Porsche steer-
ing feel. This intelligent system filters
out unwanted shocks from the road and
actively assists steering inputs under
braking on road surfaces with varying

grip.
Available as an option, speed-sensitive
Power steering Plus facilitates manoeu -
vring and parking for even greater driving
comfort.
Drive |
Chassis

60 61
Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV).
This optional system for increasing
dynamic performance and stability varies
the distribution of torque to the rear
wheels and includes a mechanically lock -
ing rear differential. When the car is driven assertively into

a corner, moderate brake pressure is
applied to the inside rear wheel. Conse -
quently, an additional rotational pulse
(yaw movement) is induced around the
vehicle’s vertical axis in the direction of the turn. This results in a direct and
sport y steering action as the car enters
the corner.
At low and medium vehicle speeds, PT V
significantly increases agilit y and steering
precision. At high speeds and when

accelerating out of corners, the rear

differential lock ensures greater driving
stabilit y and traction on road surfaces
with varying grip, including the wet and
snow.
The results are remarkable stability,
optimum traction and excellent cornering
dynamics at all speeds, coupled with
precise steering and stable load transfer
characteristics through ever y t wist and
turn of your journey.
Drive |
Chassis

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63
Sport Chrono Package.
Better performance would normally be
impossible to achieve without more inten -
sive training. In the new Cayman models,
it comes at the push of a but ton. The
optional Sport Chrono Package provides
simultaneous enhancement for the chas -
sis, engine and transmission – accom -
panied by an even more emotive sound.
In addition to the performance display,
a digital and an analogue stopwatch,

the Sport Chrono Package also includes
dynamic gearbox mounts (p. 64). Another
component is the SPORT PLUS but ton.
When this is pressed, optional Porsche
Active Suspension Management (PASM)
switches to ‘Sport ’ mode for harder
damping and more direct steering and,
therefore, even more intensive road

holding.
The trigger threshold for PSM is raised.
Agilit y is perceptibly enhanced when
braking for corners with PSM, allowing
even sportier braking and exit accelera -
tion. For even greater dexterit y, PSM can
be set to standby while the car is still in
SPORT PLUS mode. For safet y, it is set
to intervene automatically only when ABS
assistance is required.
The throttle-blip function produces even
sportier gearshifts. A managed burst
of throt tle ensures smooth load changes
for increased stabilit y and makes the
gearshift process an even more engaging
experience.
In conjunction with optional PDK, the
Sport Chrono Package comes with t wo
additional functions for a sport y drive
that borders on a motorsport experience. The first is ‘Launch Control’, which is de
-
signed to produce a racing start.
The second function is the ‘motorsport-
derived gearshift strategy’. In this mode,
PDK is designed for very short shift times
and optimum shift points, while torque
boosts during gear changes provide the
maximum acceleration available. Thi
s
involving experience is further enhanced
by overrun downshifts and the throt tle-
blip function for uncompromising driving
pleasure.
An additional display in the steering wheel
and instrument cluster indicates whether
the SPORT or SPORT PLUS but tons
and, with PDK, Launch Control have been
activated. In conjunction with optional
Porsche Communication Management
(PCM), a special display enables you to

view, store and evaluate lap times or other
driving times. It shows the total driving
time, lap distance, lap number and lap
times recorded so far.
1 Sport Chrono display on the PDK steering wheel
2 Sport Chrono stopwatch
3 SPORT and SPORT PLUS but ton

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2 1 5
6
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lights.
A design is either fascinating or functional.
The front and rear lights of the new
Cayman models can be both. Clear glass
halogen headlights are fit ted on the
Cayman as standard. The Cayman S is
equipped as standard with Bi-Xenon
headlights. In classic Cayman fashion,

the circular front light units with LED
day time running lights and position lights
are integrated in the air intakes. LEDs
provide powerful illumination, respond
extremely rapidly to driver input and
offer improved energy performance

combined with a longer service life. The
taillights also employ LED technology for increased safet y and an unmistakable

appearance – day and night.
Bi-Xenon headlights including Porsche
Dynamic l ight System (PD lS).
To explore your own direction, you need
to be alert – especially at night. The
optional Porsche Dynamic Light System
(PDLS), which comprises Bi-Xenon main
headlights with halogen auxiliary main-
beam headlights, a headlight cleaning
1 Bi-Xenon headlights incl. PDLS
2 Direction indicator
3 Day time running lights and position lights
4 Night design, front
5 Taillight
6 Brake light
7 Direction indicator
8 Night design, rear
Safety and environment |
Safety
system and automatic dynamic range
control, helps you by providing uniform

illumination of the road with both dipped
or main beam.
The dynamic cornering light function
swivels the main headlights towards the
inside of a bend based on the steering
angle and road speed. In addition, PDLS
adapts light distribution to suit your
current driving speed. The adverse
weather function is activated when
the rear fog light is switched on. This
provides increased safet y – not least in
corners and not only at night.
a utomatic headlight activation.
Automatic headlight activation is available
as standard on the new Cayman models.
The system uses the ambient lighting con -
ditions to automatically switch bet ween
day time running lights and dipped beam.