981 Cayman on its way

[chrisH]

Looks like this is what us Cayman fans have been waiting for:


ATLANTA, Nov. 9, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Porsche is continuing its sustained success in the U.S. with a world premiere and a North American premiere planned for the upcoming 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The world premiere of a compact sports car at the Los Angeles Auto Show will add impetus to this trend. Porsche will reveal the new vehicle to international media at 12:05 pm on Nov. 28 during a press conference at the Porsche show stand.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/09/4973375/two-premieres-planned-for-2012.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Motorhead]

Yes Chris, at long last..! Expect a few "leaked" pics a few days before the premiere. This probably means that we won't see the new car here until spring 2013, at the earliest. Looking forward to an invite from my PC to drive it at the PEC Silverstone when it's released here though. Jeff

 

[chrisH]

Jeff, It remains to be seen if there will be a UK launch at the OPCs, last time I asked I was told there wasn't one planned. Chris

 

[Motorhead]

Chris, I was invited by Hatfield PC to drive the Gen 2 Cayman at Silverstone when it came out here, so I'm hoping that they'll do something similar especially since the 981 is a pretty radical update. Mind you, I hadn't purchased the car then - but perhaps I'm just being cynical..! I can't believe that they won't put on some sort of show for it's UK release. Both I (and, in particular, my old mate Roger...!) always look forward to the drinks and canapes. Jeff

 

[Buddy]

My son and I got invitations to the Silverstone experience too when the Gen 2 came out, a really good day, hoping to get another for the 981 Cayman![]

 

[chrisH]

My local OPC says they think UK launch will be Feb/ March '13. Let's see what info gets leaked between now and 28 Nov on the spec., Boxster S + special wheels and lights.

 

[flat6]

ORIGINAL: chrisH My local OPC says they think UK launch will be Feb/ March '13. Let's see what info gets leaked between now and 28 Nov on the spec., Boxster S + special wheels and lights.

And hopefully not an engine tune on the 3.4 that is neatly halfway between that of the Boxster S and 991 base Carrera[] Nevertheless, should be an utterly brilliant car, as was the last one and hopefully gains more of an identity for itself this time, as the 981 Boxster seems to have done.

 

[chrisH]

Agreed, it will get a detuned 3.4 Carrera engine to safeguard the 911 market, but more than the Boxster S, my guess would be 330, same as the "R" or your Spyder. Hope the price is going to be lower than the new Cayenne Diesel S (58k) which packs very similar performance and a good standard spec.[] as EVO pointed out.

 

[Motorhead]

To add to the options list, what's the betting that with the raised rear roofline a sunroof might be available? About 330hp is about right for the 3.4S - it would take a great leap of faith to offer the 991's output - but we can all live in hope..! Jeff

 

[flat6]

I think Porsche worry unnecessarily. Those who choose a Carrera do so because they want a 911, not because they're told that Cayman is a couple of tenths slower to 60 or how its Nurburgring lap time compares. Hotter 911's, yes, that's where the 911 then differentiates itself and justifies its price differential even more. My money is on 325bhp. That'll leave more room for a Cayman R to come along later and still slot in[]

 

[chrisH]

Looks like the initial demand for the 991 and 981 Boxster is waining: Porsche to scrap weekend shifts on weak demand - sources * May cut eight-hour shift to seven - source * Zuffenhausen's Europe output to drop 10.7 pct in 2013 - IHS * Porsche production system "extremely flexible" - spokesman By Andreas Cremer BERLIN, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Porsche will halt weekend production of two-seater sports cars at its biggest plant next year as Europe's deepening debt crisis is eroding demand for luxury vehicles, company sources said. Porsche will limit the working week to five days at its headquarter factory in Zuffenhausen from January, where it has been running eight extra shifts on Saturdays since September to clear orders for the revamped 911 model, the sources said on Monday on condition they not be identified because the matter is confidential. The number of Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayman vehicles assembled in Zuffenhausen and destined for austerity-strapped European markets will drop 10.7 percent next year to 14,543 cars, according to research firm IHS Automotive

 

[pretzel]

ORIGINAL: chrisH My local OPC says they think UK launch will be Feb/ March '13. Let's see what info gets leaked between now and 28 Nov on the spec., Boxster S + special wheels and lights.

just to add to your comment - my local OPC (Cardiff) also tells me March 2013 and has already pencilled me in for an invite to their launch extravaganza. Pete B.

 

[Motorhead]

ORIGINAL: chrisH Looks like the initial demand for the 991 and 981 Boxster is waining: Porsche to scrap weekend shifts on weak demand - sources * May cut eight-hour shift to seven - source * Zuffenhausen's Europe output to drop 10.7 pct in 2013 - IHS * Porsche production system "extremely flexible" - spokesman By Andreas Cremer BERLIN, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Porsche will halt weekend production of two-seater sports cars at its biggest plant next year as Europe's deepening debt crisis is eroding demand for luxury vehicles, company sources said. Porsche will limit the working week to five days at its headquarter factory in Zuffenhausen from January, where it has been running eight extra shifts on Saturdays since September to clear orders for the revamped 911 model, the sources said on Monday on condition they not be identified because the matter is confidential. The number of Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayman vehicles assembled in Zuffenhausen and destined for austerity-strapped European markets will drop 10.7 percent next year to 14,543 cars, according to research firm IHS Automotive

Chris, don't forget that Porsche has now begun producing Boxsters (and presumably will build the new Cayman) at the VW Osnabruck factory. This statement seems to apply to Zuffenhausen, so perhaps Osnabruck is taking work away from Stuttgart. Incidentally, on Sunday I was speaking to a chap who'd just been on the Factory Tour and he reckoned that the atmosphere in the Stuttgart factory was decidedly gloomy...! Jeff

 

[chrisH]

Jeff, If the Cayman UK launch is not until March and with winter months not being good for sports car sales I can see why they have cut production rates. Have they delayed the 981 Cayman too long, after all it stopped production last January? Chris

 

[Motorhead]

Agreed Chris - and all the more reason to have a new Cayman available now for the more inclement winter weather. It seems a strange time of the year to introduce a new vehicle but then the US market has always seen strong Cayman sales, presumably more so in those States which experience temperatures well below zero for prolonged periods. I think that they've missed a trick delaying the new car so long - it'll be more than a year out of production when it arrives here - but at least they've benefited from the experience of building the 981 Boxster during this period, ironing out minor assembly/systems problems on the line and with their suppliers. Jeff

 

[smiffy555]

I heard today that Porsche are stopping weekend production of their sports cars. Seems even the mighty Porsche are feeling the pinch!!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

If these photos are genuine, I think it looks fab! It will look even better without the US licence plate holder too. http://www.planet-9.com/981-chat/75788-981-cayman-first-photos.html

 

[smiffy555]

Wow! Even better than the Boxster....again![]

 

[chrisH]

Agreed, looks like these are the new wheels too as its the second photo I've seen with this design. Are these the 20 ins?

 

[Motorhead]

That is a great looking car. I know that it's still camouflaged but I'm not quite so keen on the flatter rear hatch arrangement though. Is it just me or is it looking more like a 911? Watch out 991...! Jeff