2009 Porsche Cayman S PDK (0-60 in 4.5 secs)
 

I came across this MotorTrend test of the Porsche Cayman S PDK (PDK stands for Porsche double-clutch gearbox). Very impressive performance numbers to 60 mph without much effort.


2009 PORSCHE CAYMAN S

Base price = $45,300
Price as tested = $61,150
Vehicle layout = Mid-engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door hatchback
Engine = 3.4L/320-hp/273-lb-ft DOHC, 24-valve flat-6
Transmission = 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Curb weight = 3000 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase = 95.1 in
Length x width x height = 171.1 x 70.9 x 51.4 in
0-60 mph = 4.5 sec
EPA city/hwy fuel econ = 21/28 mpg (est)
CO2 emissions = 0.82 lb/mile (est)
On sale in U.S. March 2009

Here's the link to the full article:
2009 Porsche Cayman S PDK - First Drive - Motor Trend

of course the double-clutch gearbox will help in acceleration but it comes with a price

no way will the 370z come with one...lol

how fast is the regular 997 with PDK. cant be much quicker can it?

Well the official 997s 0-60 from porsche for a non pdk car is 4.5 secs, 4.3 maybe?

LOL! So the 09s croc is $14k cheaper than the current one? :icon17:

Nice read thanks. Ive been saying this fact on both boards to some that think the 370z will hang with the 09 Cayman S. Not gonna happen. This advantage to 60mph will increase as speeds go up. Plus the lighter weight of the 09 CS will make it an uphill battle for the 370z to handle on track. 171mph top speed too. Whats the 370z claimed top speed?

Would be nice to see Nissan give the Z the DCT and really give Porsche heartburn. Im a 6 speed kinda guy though but it would be astounding to have a DCT 370z at under 40k. What would you buy a 60-70k Cayman S for, other than prestige, if you had a DCT 370z available?

G top speed is limited to 155mph however it is only pulling like 6000 RPM at that range.


I would expect the Z to be close.

Close to the G's 155mph or the CS 171mph? I hope the Z is unfettered with speed limiters....Im guessing here but Im thinking flatout sans any limiters, it should top out around the 165mph range?

I will let you know after I get my Cobb AP what the top speed on the G is unrestricted.

Cool cant wait. :ughdance:This will be a modded G top speed run though.

well only exhaust and HFC's

Can the limiter/governor be turned off?

yes with a reflash or cobb AP, other options will follow i am sure

So.. the Z is only .2 behind the Cayman S according to MT. Not bad. I will take it. AND, Porsche better not had let the Z beat the new Cayman S!! I bet the Nismo will match it however.

I am just happy the new Z matches the old Cayman S.

Nissan is not done yet--more headache is on the way for Porsche.

Care to elaborate?? ;)

Im assuming hes talking about the Nismo version?:ughdance:

RIGHT!!! :ughdance: :ughdance:

yeah that cars gonna rock the Z stock for stock...

True, but for the modding type, how much $ would it take to make the Z just as fast? I doubt the majority of Cayman S owners will mod their cars. Simple bolt ons and tune should put this Z neck and neck with the new Cayman S, and you will have lesser insurance and car maintance to boot.

Based on what, exactly? A .2 sec better 0-60 time from the same magazine that tested the Z at a 4.7? Nah, I don't think 'rock' is the best term for it. 'Barely shade' would be better, and only in the dead stop acceleration tests. The handling numbers are even closer than that, magazines have gotten between .97 and .99g on the skidpad and 70+mph in the slalom for the Z. The new Cayman doesn't move the game on at all really in those categories, and I believe I remember one reviewer saying the steering feel of the new S was actually a bit worse than the old one. With all the numbers being as close as they are, it will come down to the driver.

S.

All the stuff you mentioned are only benchmarks that magazines use to compare cars so that everyone can understand.

In practice you have a car with a super fast PDK transmission. You have a LIGHTER car with just as much HP and more torque. Its also mid engined setup with porsche pedigree. The Cayman is going to be easier to drive fast, not to mention the BRAKES are actually going to hold up for more than two laps. Also it has a real LSD. It comes with a better suspension setup too, one that is adjustable. More than likely better tires as well. Its not just the porsche brand name that makes it worth twice as much as the base Z.


And to the other comment, yes. Of course modding anything changes everything. Lets put racing slicks on the Z and OMG ITS FASTER!!! go figure!

If you came up to me and said pick one and you can mod it. I take the Z. If you say I cant mod it, then I'll take the Porsche.

Which one do I prefer? The Z. I'm not here because I can't afford the Cayman. I'm here because the Z is awesome value with amazing potential. I'm more of a purist, I like doing everything myself. I'd much rather work on a Nissan than a Porsche. Caymans are for people who can't afford 911's. I'd MUCH rather spend less on the car and more on the mods. I don't think I'm the only one here with that mentality.

^^^^ all things you can upgrade to in the Z for less than the cost differance. lol except the mid engine. lol

lol lol lol lol lol Yes, in my first post I said Stock for stock. Also I dont think youre all that correct. That transmission is $$, the brakes are $$, the suspension is $$. The weight savings are $$. The materials used for the Cayman are $$, the interior is $$. The sound system on the cayman is $$.

Adds up quick, you'll be within a few grand of the base price of a cayman S with a highly modified, non warranty-able car.

The Z's brakes have been noted to be better than the Cayman S's, unless you pay the almost 10k for the carbon ceramic; and they will last all day long so say the reviews. Your comment sounds like the comments that the Porsche guys were saying about the GT-R and look what it did on the track against the 'Porsche pedigree'. Oh and the 911 is twice as much as the GT-R also.

I still predict the Z will come very close on the track. I will recant if I am wrong.

Noted to be better for stopping a few times from 60. They dont last more than a few laps on a track because the pads get cooked. They are Akebono's not Porsche brakes.

My comments sound like someone who looks at facts and has seen more than a few trackdays.

Also, FYI, the 911 line starts a few grand under the MSRP of the GT-R. The Turbo is around 140k. Then the GT3 RS is around 160k, which would be twice as much as a GT-R.

Also careful hehe, I've been on the track in every car we're talking about... this is my STI along with my friends at the last few track events... I took PLENTY of laps in the GT-R and the GT3. I can tell you that the GT-R is MUCH faster than all those cars I mentioned except for the 997 GT2. The GT-R is absurdly fast..

http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k...271280x768.jpg
http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k...981280x768.jpg

997 GT2, 996 Carrera, CLK Black Edition, Nissan GT-R, 08 STI Full race, Off camera 997 Turbo, Twin Turbo full race 350Z, 997 GT3

Let this be a friendly discussion too, I mean no harm ;)

MMMMM. Those are some sweet cars..... I LOVE the GT2. I think I want that model in my collection; must find someone that makes it.... Is that a CLK Black edition? MMMMMBOY!

I meant the 911 Turbo, not the standard 911 as the standard 911 is no match for the GT-R. The standard 911 is like Alderan, and the GT-R is like Death Star... No match.

BTW: I will just throw out there that I am not arguing. This is a friendly conversation.

Now that that is out of the way.... Just as you said Porsche pedigree carried over to the Cayman S, why do you think the Nissan pedigree would not filter down to the Z. Granted, the Z did not have the R&D $ of the GT-R, but on paper, and without driving it yet, why do you seem to discount it so much? Why would the Z's designer be so confident in his product? I am not blind to the fact that they were not using the 09 Cayman S, but the majority of the reviews have stated this Z is a huge improvement over the 350Z handling wise and match the Cayman S. What gives?

**Sorry for all the questions**

What you think about this then?

No worries man, Its good to talk about stuff. That way you can see other peoples point of view. I have been wrong many times before and I've learned everything I know.

On paper, yes they are very similarly matched. On the street, it could go either way.
I'll state it one more time. I love the 350z and I love the 370z even more. I don't really discount it all that much. Today I went to my friend's dealer, its an exotic car dealer. Theres 2 carrera GT's and 2 Murcielagos and a GT3RS and an SLR and so on in the showroom. F430s like they are civics. The owner used to drive an 04 STI on the track. Now that he sold that, he is looking at another big performance low budget car and he wants the Cayman S. I told him no, I told him to wait for the Z to come out before he makes his decision.

I don't discount the Z. I think with slight mods it can be on par with the Cayman S. Fact of the matter is man that the stock Z has more weight, manual tranny and crappy brake pads. Brakes, tires and some suspension mods and I'm sure you'd be on par with the Cayman around a track. If you were talking about the 07 Cayman then Yes the Z has it beat.

I could be wrong though, if I am, I will be so happily surprised.
If you are wrong, you are going to be sadly dissapointed.

I've seen enough cars and car parts get hyped to hell and then not deliver.

I'm going to stand by my opinion that stock for stock the 2009 Cayman would be the winner around the track. If you consider price, then OBVIOUSLY the Z wins this hands down, and I mean like no contest. Again, I love the new Z, I'm buying one. I'm as excited as the rest of you. I am not expecting miracles though. I expect an exciting, extremely solid sports coupe that is hands down the winner in its price range. A Porsche beater? Perhaps.

Shumby, I saw those videos months ago. I said the GT-R is faster than all those porsches except the GT2.

THose videos show modded GT-R's and Modded Turbos and then the GT-R vs the GT3. I dont understand what you are getting at...are you agreeing with me?

Who knows how modded the GT-R is and how modded the Porsche Turbo is. As you know the Turbo is TWIN TURBO from the factory, so that may be a slightly modded Turbo...

If you wanna talk modded, lets find some of those modded turbos with 1100AWHP and then lets compare that against the fastest GT-R out there.

South FL/Miami.. must be nice to see such an abundance of cool cars. I would not be disappointed if the 370Z looses out to the 09 Cayman S. I just wanted the 370Z to beat out or match the old Cayman S.

If a few mods (even the Nismo parts) will bring it on par with the new Cayman S. Game on. Fact of the matter is, I am not going to rub elbows with Cayman S's all the time ANYWAY so as to feel inferior even if it is faster; I have only come across 1 S and 1 regular Cayman.

I better understand where you are coming from now, so cool deal man.

jus posten some vids man cool down

I agree completely with RCZ. But imho on paper the Z doesnt look like it has a chance at all. Based on the factual figures that we know there is no way the Z is going to beat the 09 Cayman S especially seeing that one review had the 370z tying the old Cayman S. I too love the 370z but Im a realist. The Nismo Z will take care of the rivelry with the 09 Cayman S imho. Base will own the base Cayman as it should. Cayman S will easily be in the 12's @ around 109-110mph imho. The old S cracked 107mph in the 1/4 with only 295hp and no pdk. It wont take expensive mods to make the Z on par with it but it still will be a modded car vs a stock which is lame comparo "if" taken seriously. For reference though, nothing wrong with comparing modded vs stock.

Keep in mind however.... Apples for Apples...

Will the test race the Cayman S's MT vs. the 370Z MT?? Or, will the test run the PDK vs. the 7AT? That a closer apples to apples comparision. If the MT's are raced, I suspect the race to still be close....

Not sure about the AT type trannies. Although, keep in mind the IS-F's 8 Speed kept VERY close to the BMW DCT... It will be interesting. IMO, the Z is still very close to the Cayman S and, as has been stated, quite a bargin considering what you get.

Good point Endgame about the trannys, pos rep. Well I cant wait till this is no longer up for speculation lol. Eitherway the head to head goes the 370z will make the Cayman S look like its seriously overpriced for what you get. Gotta love what Nissan has done with the 370z. While the typical 911 buyer probably wouldnt cross shop the Z with it or look at a Cayman, I really believe the potential Cayman buyer will give the 370z a serious look.

On another note I work by Manhattan Motors in NYC. This morning I happened upon a beautiful dark silverish Cayman S with the stickers saying Cayman S across the side doors. Sticker was 80k:eek: It had some large black multi-spoke rims that the mechanic said were stock. Dont shoot me for not having my camera or my camera phone on me lol.

Quite a few dont like the looks of the Cayman but the car really looks better in person just like the 370z. Ive loved the looks since the inception though it does have some goofy angles just like the 370z at times. Nothing that proper sized rims dont take care on both cars. Just have to love the Z because at 30-60k less depending on the Caymans options, you have essentially the same performance and similar amenities..

Who cares about 0-60. What can it do at the 1/4 mile? (both E.T and trap speed-wise)

We can assume realistically that the 09 Cayman S will surpass the Z's 1/4 mile numbers based on the stats sheet even if a little. Cant wait for the actual numbers though. All we have for now is the 0-60mph. Dont know why they just didnt keep loud pedal mashed on the CS for another 8 or so seconds and find out the 1/4 time and trap speed all in one run.

kinda like this (except in gray) ?
http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/bl...port-front.jpg


I love the cayman... but I definitely won't be able to afford one, so a Z with similar performance is a better bargain.

I would love to own a porsche in the future though, they are amazing driver's cars.

^^Exactly like that but in grey. Beautiful car man really is in person. :tup: