New Porsche Cayman starts for less than $50,000
Filed under: New Car Previews, Porsche, Sports/GT
We knew it was coming but we didn’t know it would come this soon. Today Porsche announced the Porsche Cayman (without the S) will be available soon. Probably the best news is that Porsche will begin marketing the new Cayman for under $50,000.
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Full press release from Porsche AG follows:
On the heels of the January’s much anticipated and highly successful launch of the new Cayman S, Porsche has announced an entry level Cayman geared to those who delight in the supreme handling dynamics which earned the Cayman S the 2006 World Performance Car title. Based on the award-winning Boxster, the new version of the mid-engined sports coupe is a more accessible version of the Cayman S, with a base price under $50,000 (under $70,000 in Canada). The Cayman brings legendary Porsche-coupe capabilities–with the same voluptuous styling of the Cayman S–to a new and lower price point.
“2006 has already shown a string of record sales months, especially for our 911 series,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “With the exceptionally strong response we’ve had to the Cayman S, which has sold more than 3000 units in just over four months, the addition of this aggressively priced new Cayman model will bring our mid-engined range to similar record sales levels, further bolstering our core sports-car lineup.”
The new Porsche Cayman is powered by a 2.7-liter six-cylinder Boxer engine producing 245 horsepower. Thanks to the Porsche VarioCam(R) Plus system, the Cayman provides a broad spread of usable power, with a plateau of torque peaking at 201 foot-pounds between 4,600 and 6,000 revs. With a manual transmission, the responsive engine is capable of propelling the new Cayman from a standstill to 60 mph in only 5.8 seconds (0-100 km/h, 6.1 sec.). The performance carries through to a top test-track speed of 160 mph (258 km/h). Proof that outstanding performance statistics do not necessarily mean high fuel consumption, the Cayman is rated at an impressive 23/32 mpg city/highway.
Power is routed from the Cayman’s flexible powerplant via a standard five-speed manual transmission with short, precise shift throws. Porsche will also offer the well-known Tiptronic(R) S five-speed automatic transmission. The Tiptronic S provides rocker switches for shifting in the steering-wheel spokes, for those who seek a more engaging driving experience.
As a third transmission variant, a six-speed manual transmission, available in conjunction with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)(R) system, is optional. The PASM system automatically adapts the shock-absorber system to the particular driving situation, and allows the driver to choose between “Normal” and “Sport” programs by pressing a button on the center console.
The Cayman rides on 17-inch light-alloy wheels boasting a unique, double-spoke design. Front tires are 205/55-17’s fitted on 6.5-inch wide rims; the combination at the rear is 235/50-17 tires on 8-inch-wide rims. With the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system fitted as standard equipment, the taut chassis makes an responsive and involving partner in terms of driving dynamics and active safety.
Other special features of the Cayman are black brake calipers, black front-spoiler lips, a titanium-colored logo on the rear deck and a trapezoidal tailpipe. The impressive interior boasts a comprehensive range of standard features including air-conditioning, radio/CD player, seats covered in luxurious Alcantara leather, black-faced instrument dials, and door-entry trim embossed with the Cayman logo. Because of the mid-engine concept, the Cayman boasts two trunks, with a combined volume of 14.5 cubic feet (410 liters), highlighting the sport coupe’s supreme practicality.
In addition to the two full-size occupant airbags, the Cayman is also fitted as standard equipment with the ingenious Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP), which features both a chest and head airbag on each side of the vehicle, providing impressive protection in the event of a side collision.
The Porsche Cayman goes on sale in North America July 29, 2006. Pricing for the new model in the U.S. and Canada is $49,400 (USD) and $69,600 (CAD).
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne(R) sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 300 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 213 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT
Filed under: Car Reviews, Convertibles, Mitsubishi, Road Tests
Beleaguered Japanese automaker Mitsubishi sure isnít acting like a company in trouble. In fact, to the delight of auto enthusiasts everywhere, the ìDriven to Thrillî brand seems to be pouring an awful lot of resources into rebuilding their high-performance reputation. Fruits of that labor have included a passel of Lancer Evolution varieties, and a wholly improved Eclipse. And now, whatever hedonists currently hold sway at Mitsubishi HQ have brought us a ragtop iteration of that iconic sports coupeóand they made it good. The 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT we just tested makes none of the typical convertible concessions, and preserves all of the coupeís cachet.
From the moment you lay eyes on it, the Spyderís allure is palpable. Mitsubishi stylists are to be applauded for avoiding the typical chopped-top-as-an-afterthought look; the design is striking even with the top up. And once opened to the elements, the topless Eclipse suffers not a single aesthetic misstepóthe proportions are balanced, and the overall look is exotic. Of course, the Eclipse coupe wasnít a bad starting point; both benefit from the sculpted waist, jeweled clear-lens head- and tail-lights, and aggressive wheels filling flared fenders, pushed far out to the corners.
Follow this link for full Mitsubishi Eclipse Road Test
Follow this link for Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Pictures
2007 Bentley Continental GTC
Filed under: Bentley, Car Reviews, Convertibles, New Car Previews
Upper-crust, Anglophile auto-lovers were initially introduced to the ragtop version of Bentley’s immensely popular Continental GT (the GTC-clever, no?) at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Even from the pictures, it was easy to fall in love. However, now that the New York Show has come and gone, we’ve had our chance to see and touch this piece of automotive jewelry-and it just makes us want one more.
The GTC is the fourth new model debuted since the 1999 renaissance of the Bentley brand (thanks to VW). Bentley Chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen and Design Chief Dirk van Braeckel-suspiciously non-English-sounding names-explained how the new convertible fits into the Bentley strategy; it slots in between the Continental GT and the Arnage sedan in this top-shelf lineup.
Bentley Continental GTC Preview
Bentley Continental GTC Pictures
2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500
Filed under: Car Reviews, Mercedes-Benz, Road Tests, SUVs
We finally got some real seat time in the all-new M-Class–and it was worth the wait. The new Mercedes truck is everything the old ML wasn’t, beginning from bare metal. Where the old M was a body-on-frame, overweight truck with a leather-and-wood wrapper over sturdy but plebian mechanicals, the new crossover structure gives the M a refined nature the previous iteration could never hope to match. Where the old M had quality problems and suffered owner complaints for years into production,
The new M is the product of a more meticulous Mercedes-Benz–having implemented stringent new quality controls on the assembly lines and sworn off the complicated electronics they included simply for their own sake. Overall, where the old M was more status symbol than sensible automotive choice, the new M oozes not just class, but competence.
Outside the change isn’t so evident; the new M looks a lot like the old, re-rendered in hi-def. The corners and bodyside lines are a little more creased; the trim and sparse chrome bits a little more defined. The saw-tooth grille insert is reminiscent of machined industrial equipment. Jeweled taillamps and HID headlights complete the high-tech theme. One thing hasn’t changed, though–that oversized, tri-pointed star on the grille is still suitable for Flava-Flav’s accessory drawer.
Follow this link for full Mercedes ML500 Review
Click here for Mercedes-Benz ML500 Pictures
2006 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD
Filed under: Car Reviews, Ford, Road Tests, SUVs
Automotive journalists are well-known for decrying the SUV craze-in part selfishly, as we enjoy driving exciting vehicles, and reviewing truck after truck after truck can become tedious. “Why,” we’re always lamenting, “why don’t consumers buy wagons?” After all, the station wagon offers similar utility, better fuel economy, and usually better pricing than the typical SUV does, and their lower centers of gravity and weights make for more sporting machines, on average.
So, when a vehicle like the Ford Freestyle hits the market-boasting SUV character and car underpinnings-we rejoice. The typical review of such an SUV-alternative will spend hundreds of words extolling its sharp handling and other dynamic virtues, although in truth, rising SUV sales show that consumers largely don’t care. No matter is it’s equipped with all-wheel-drive, wearing some new name meant to evoke the great outdoors (Prairie Dog Bush Country Back-road edition), even cladded with gaudy brush guards and similar useless protrusions-to many buyers, a station wagon just cannot mimic the rugged appeal of the Sport Utility Vehicle.
Read the full Ford Freestyle Car Review
Follow this link for more Pictures of the Ford Freestyle
