Planet 9

Description:

The Adaptive Sport Seats give you all of the sporty feel of the Leather Sport Seats, all of the features of the Power Seats plus electronic control of the bolsters.

Features include:

• Lumbar support, bottom, side and shoulder bolsters are pneumatically adjustable
• Electric adjustment of fore/aft position, seat height, seat bottom angle, seat back angle.
• Memory for seat and exterior mirror positions (bolster and lumbar settings can not be memorized)
• Right side park assist mirror when in reverse
• Seat backs are finished in a Volcano Gray hard shell

Pictures: (click a picture for a closer look)

Benefits:

These seats provide the best of both worlds, maximum sport and maximum luxury with near infinite adjustment abilities.  These are the only seats available with adjustable bolsters, which may likely make them the choice for demanding drivers.  The ultimate adjustability and memory functions make these a great pick for Caymans that are routinely driven by more than one person.

Drawbacks:

Entering and exiting a car with sport seats takes a little more flexibility than with standard seats. 

These things are not cheap and they are considerably heavier than the mechanical sport seats.  Purists or track junkies may not want to have the extra weight in their car.

More Information:

Product Information Guide - page 44

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 70

Cayman Owners Manual - page 33-35

Informative Threads:

Description:

Automatic Climate Control (a.k.a. ACC) is a 'Set it and forget it' option that takes control of all aspects of the ventilation system including fan speed, output air temperature and output air distribution.  A solar sensor compensates for the effects of sunlight within the cabin, providing very accurate and intelligent temperature control.  Despite these automatic abilities, all of the ventilation characteristics can also be controlled manually. 

Visually there is little difference between the standard climate control and the automatic climate control.  It would take a keen eye to notice that the standard temperature bar graph is replaced with a numeric temperature indicator and the 'AC Max' button is replaced with an 'Auto' button.

Pictures: (click a picture for a closer look)

Benefits:

Many owners who have a Cayman with Automatic Climate Control indicate that it performs very well and in many cases much better than the Automatic Climate Control systems in their other cars, including Lexus and Infiniti vehicles.
 

Comments:

Sport Chrono Plus bonus - On vehicles equipped with Sport Chrono Plus, individual air conditioning settings can be memorized and linked to each key.

Upgrading - Because Caymans contain hand made vehicle specific wiring harnesses, upgrading after purchase is not economically practical.

More Information:

987 Boxster Product Information Guide - page 90-91

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 71

Porsche Web Site - See 'Air Conditioning' link for more info

Cayman Owners Manual - page 133

Informative Threads:

Description:

The Bi-Xenon headlamps are not only much brighter than conventional halogen headlamps, but they provide a wider and more consistently diffused supply of light in front of the car.  Their blue-white color is very close to the wavelength of actual daylight which should theoretically reduce eye strain.

Because HID lamps need time to ignite and warm up, one bulb is used for both low (dipped) and high (main) beams.  The output pattern is electromechanically changed when high beams are requested, allowing light to project much higher and further than the low beam pattern.  In 2009, Dynamic Cornering Lights were added, which can swivel the light pattern by up to 15 degrees when turning.

These lamp assemblies contain halogen main beam bulbs for use as passing lights when short bursts of light are needed but there is no time to ignite and warm up and HID bulb.  The Bi-Xenon headlamps are self leveling and come with headlight washers.

Charts: (from Boxster Product Information Guide)

Drawbacks:

Because these lights are highly desirable, there have been many incidents of theft.
 

More Information:

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 51

Product Information Guide - page 46

987 Boxster Product Information Guide - page 83-84

Interesting Posts:

Xenon Lights , An HID Experiment , Cayman S Options , Stealing Porsche Headlamps

FAQ Information:

680 - Bose Surround Sound System

Options Code: 680

Price: $950

Description: 

A Bose Surround Sound System is available with ten speakers and 7-channel digital amplifier integrated into the MOST system. It incorporates:

• 2 25mm tweeters in the dashboard
• 1 70mm mid-range speaker in the dashboard
• 2 80mm mid-range speakers in the doors
• 2 200mm low-range speakers in the doors
• 2 80mm mid-range speakers in the rear-quarter panel
• 1 subwoofer in the footwell

For amplifiers there are:

• a 5 x 25w linear 7-channel digital amplifier for the tweeters and mid-range speakers
• a 100w switching amplifier for the low-range speakers
• a 100w amplifier for the subwoofer

There is also an external microphone for detecting background noise for noise compensation.  The Bose system includes CD storage system in the glovebox.

Pictures:

Tweeter in the dash

Mid-range in the dash

Mid-range and low-range in the door

Mid-range in the quarter panel

Subwoofer in footwell

Bose Locations

Source

Informative Threads:

Bose settings

How good is the Bose system?

Should I order Bose radio?

References:

The New Cayman and the Cayman S

Porsche Product Information Cayman S

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us
Last Revised: June 2009

XF* - Colored Instrument Dials

Options Codes: 

XFE - TerraCotta, XFD - Sand Beige, XFF - Natural Brown, XFG - Guards Red, XFH - Speed Yellow, and XFJ - Carrara White

Price: $690

Description: 

Porsche provide a personalization touch by color coordinated the instrument dials with some exterior colors and interior colors. 

Pictures:

Carrara White

Speed Yellow

Guards Red

Benefits: 

Personalization of the car with color coordination.

Drawbacks:

There have been some reports that red is difficult to read under certain circumstances and speed yellow does not match the exterior color.

Informative Threads:

Colored Gauges

References:

Porsche Product Information Cayman S

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us
Last Revised: January, 2007

Option Description:

Vehicles with Full Leather Interior have visible stitching on all leather items (see Full Leather FAQ).  The color of that stitching can be changed to a 'deviated' color upon request (Red, Blue, Yellow, Silver, Brown).

Interior Map & Pictures: (click one to take a closer look)

Seat Stitching in Deviated Color (25081)	Center Console (25663), XPA Steering Wheel (09991), & Dash Top (25664)
Door Handle (25661) & Door Trim (25662)	XPA Steering Wheel (09991) & Dash Top (25664)

Benefits:

This option can add a unique sporty look to the interior of a Cayman.  Because very few buyers are likely to order these options (see below), this can also add a rare quality to a Cayman.  

Drawbacks:

If you want all stitching to be a deviated color, you'd better be ready to spend some money.  All available deviated stitching options add up to $1,810, and that leaves the steering wheel, gear shift lever and hand brake stitched in different colors.  If you want those items stitched in your deviated color, you will have to add an Exclusive Steering Wheel, Gear Shift Knob and Hand Brake Cover plus and option 09991.  Don't forget the Full Leather.  If you want your entire interior stitched in a deviated color, you can spend more than $5,000 on interior upgrades.

Limitations:

These options are ONLY available on cars equipped with Full Leather Interior.

More Information:

2008 Order Guide - page 21

Informative Threads:

Cayman Exterior Colors

OPTION CODE	NAME	EXAMPLE	Prices
			2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
A1	Black		No Charge
B4	Carrara White		No Charge
G1	Guards Red		No Charge
X4	Speed Yellow		No Charge
53	Forest Green Metallic		$825	$690		N/A
56	Cobalt Blue Metallic		$3,070	$690		N/A
9Q	Meteor Grey Metallic		$825	$690		$710
E4	Carmona Red Metallic (2007)		$825	$690		N/A
E9	Midnight Blue Metallic		$825	$690		$710
X1	Arctic Silver Metallic		$825	$690		$710
Z4	Basalt Black Metallic		$825	$690		$710
9S	Macademia Metallic		N/A		$690	$710
L2	Ruby Red Metallic		N/A		$690	$710
E7	Atlas Grey Metallic		$825	$690	$3,140
H1	Malachite Green Metallic		N/A		$3140
59	Slate Grey Metallic		$3,070			N/A
7G	Dark Olive Metallic		$3,070			N/A
G4	Dark Teal Metallic (2007)		$3,070			N/A
J2	Lapis Blue Metallic (2007)		$825	$3,070		N/A
U2	GT Silver Metallic		$3,070			$3,140
	Seal Grey (2006 only)		$825	N/A
98	Paint-To-Sample Example		$4,315

CAVEAT:

Pictures do not do justice to some colors, especially the metallics.  Before ordering a color, its wise to see the color in person.

More Information:

More Pictures of Different Colors

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us

Last Revised: June 2009

509 - Fire Extinguisher

Options Code: P509

Price: $140

Description:

Porsche offers a factory OEM fire extinguisher that is mounted under the driver's seat. 

Picture:  

Benefits:

If you intend to track your car or attend driver education events, some events require a fire extinguisher in the car.

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us
Last Revised: January, 2007

** - Full Leather Interior

Options Codes: AT (Black), DF (Stone Grey), FE (Sea Blue), JX (Palm Green), TG (Sand Beige)

Description:

Full Leather Interior adds Interior Color Leather and visible stitching to the following areas:

Pictures: (click one to take a closer look)

Benefits:

This option adds a luxurious look, feel and smell to a Cayman.

Drawbacks:

A Full Leather Interior may require more care than and may not be as durable as the standard interior.  Upgrading to Full Leather after delivery would be cost prohibitive (see Thread below titled 'Full Leather Upgrade').

More Information:

Product Information Guide - page 40

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 95

Informative Threads:

TITLE: CAYMAN INTERIOR COLOR CODES

Description: Examples of Cayman Interior Colors

(Note: the first five leather options are for Standard/Full Leather)

CODE	NAME	MSRP	EXAMPLE
AN/AT	Black	$0/$2,095
DC/DF	Stone Grey	$0/$2,095
FB/FE	Sea Blue	$0/$2,095
JU/JX	Palm Green	$0/$2,095
TD/TG	Sand Beige	$0/$2,095
MB	Terracotta	$2,525
RA	Cocoa	$2,525
05	Natural Grey	$3,605
06	Natural Brown	$3,605
BG	Black/Stone Grey	$2,505
99	Leather to Sample	$3,845

CAVEAT:

Pictures do not do justice to some colors, especially the metallics.  Before ordering a color, its wise to see the color in person.

More Information:

More Pictures of Different Colors Click on Interior Photos

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us

Last Revised: January, 2007

Description:

The Leather Sport Seats have firmer padding, shoulder bolsters and larger side and leg bolsters than the standard seats which adds a very sporty feel to any Cayman. You will feel like you are sitting 'in' the seat as opposed to 'on' the seat. 

These seats offer mechanical height, fore/aft adjustments and electric seat back angle adjustment.  There are no lumbar, bolster or seat bottom angle adjustments.  The seat backs are finished in a Volcano Grey hard shell.

Pictures: (click a picture for a closer look)

Benefits:

Because these seat are not electrically powered, they do not add any unnecessary weight to a Cayman and are not likely to ever require maintenance or repair.  Sport seats add a sporty and aggressive feel to any car.

Some people say that the mechanical seats will drop lower and slide further back than the powered seats will. This can be a benefit for very tall Cayman owners.  If this might be you, we recommend visiting your dealership and testing both seats side by side.
 

Drawbacks:

Entering and exiting a car with sport seats takes a little more flexibility than with standard seats. 

Adjustments are somewhat limited so you need to make sure that these seats really fit your body before purchase.  There are many people who find these seats very comfortable.  People of larger size generally find the standard seats more comfortable.

These seats do not pamper you with luxuries like electronic memory.  If you plan to frequently share your Cayman with another driver and want sport seats, you may want to step up to the Adaptive Sport Seats to gain the memory functions.

More Information:

Product Information Guide - page 44

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 70

Cayman Owners Manual - page 32

Informative Threads:

475 - PASM (Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management)

Options Code: 475

Price: $1,990

Description:

PASM is a very sophisticated suspension system that allows a Cayman to adapt to changing road and driving conditions.  Cars equipped with PASM will have a button on the center console that allows the driver to select between a "Normal" or "Sport" program.

Regardless of which program is selected, PASM is always continuously adjusting the damping rates of the shock absorbers within a predetermined range to suit current driving conditions.  The system incorporates many sensors to determine when a stiffer or softer damping rate is needed and applies those changes seamlessly within the range or map of the selected program.

Damping Rate Chart: (taken from Cayman Product Information Guide)

Benefits of PASM:

In Normal program, a PASM equipped car's damping rates will vary from a setting that is softer than a car with Standard suspension to a setting that is a bit harder than standard.  In Sport program, the damping rate will vary from the same as standard to significantly harder.  This adaptability makes a PASM equipped car very versatile.  At one moment it can be a soft driving street car that is forgiving over rough pavement, and the next moment it can be a taught track car ready for a DE event.

Misconceptions:

There is a widely understood misconception that a PASM equipped car will lower itself by 10mm when the PASM button is pressed.  This is a misunderstanding and has been quoted by many automotive journalists.  PASM equipped cars are always 10mm lower than cars equipped with standard suspension.  Their ride height never varies. 

More Information:

Product Information Guide - page 27

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 44

Cayman Owners Manual - page 65

Porsche Web Site - Cayman Chassis Details

Informative Threads:

450 - PCCB

PCCB = Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes

Options Code: 450

Price: $8,150

Description:

The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake System represents the absolute state of the art in friction braking.  This braking system centers around four large ceramic reinforced carbon fiber brake rotors, but the upgrades don't stop there.  PCCB also gets upgraded six piston monobloc calipers up front and larger four piston monobloc calipers in the rear, both of which utilize larger brake pads that offer more friction surface area (see table below). 

The PCCB calipers are easily recognizable by their bright yellow paint job as the next evolution to the 'Big Red' calipers of the past.

Pictures: (click a picture for a closer look)

Benefits:

There are several benefits to PCCB.  Primarily, this system is said to brake more consistently and remain more resistant to fade than the standard brakes when used for repetitive hard stops, like those called for during track events.

Another major benefit is the fact that the PCCB rotors weigh approximately half as much as conventional cast iron rotors of the same size, significantly reducing the unsprung weight of each wheel which should improve a cars ability to maintain grip over rough pavement.  The rotors are also said to be much more resistant to wear and are expected to last much longer than cast iron rotors (see drawbacks for more on this).

PCCB has been observed to create less brake dust than conventional brakes.
 

Drawbacks:

Price...!  At $8,150, this is the most expensive option available and increases the cost of a Cayman / Cayman S by 16% / 13.5% respectively. 

Because the standard brakes are very good, most experts will tell you that you will only truly benefit from PCCB on a race track.  However, there have been reports of Porsche denying warranty claims pertaining to premature PCCB rotor wear on cars that have been tracked.  There are also reports of rotor destruction in as little as one or two track events. 

Replacement rotors can cost $5,000 - $6,000 per wheel......!  That means that when your rotors do need replacement, as all rotors will, you may be looking at a very costly brake job or forced to convert back to cast iron rotors.  Ceramic rotors are also more fragile and there is a chance of chipping one when changing wheels, which would require replacement.

More Information:

Product Information Guide - page 26

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 55

Porsche Web Site - See Video on Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes

Informative Threads:

Porsche Communication Management (PCM 2.1)

Options Code: P16

Price: $3,070

Description:

The PCM contains an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) that uses a DVD drive in the front luggage space and a 5.8" color display screen.  An "extended" GPS is available as option P21 ($3,275). This allows for navigation in areas not mapped on the DVD via a compass and allows for back tracing via recording up to five tracks.  The integrated CD can play CDs in audio format as well a MP3 and WMA.  The integrated AM/FM tuner provides for 20 preset stations for both AM and FM.

Related Options:

You must have option P16 or P21 to use the following options:

641 - Electronic logbook ($650)

This option provides for recording mileage/route, date/time, and start/end destinations for up to 1,500 trips.  The information can be downloaded to a laptop via IR for postprocessing.

666 - Telephone module ($960) 

This option provides for a GSM triband (900, 1,800 and 1,900 Mhz) handsfree telephone.  The user must provide their own SIM card.

688 - Passive handset ($260)

A telephone handset for handheld use.

Picture:  

Note: Option 666 uses the telephone keypad on the left side of the screen.  The SIM slot is below the keypad.  

Benefits:

An integrated GPS provides a clean look for the interior.

Drawbacks:

Price, at ~$3,000, there are far cheaper GPS alternatives on the market with, possibly, more modern technologies.

References:

The New Cayman and the Cayman S

Porsche Product Information Cayman S

PCM Manual

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us
Last Revised: January, 2007

P15 - Power Seat Package

Options Code: P15

Price: $1,550

Description:

The Power Seat Package adds electrical control of the seat's fore/aft, height, seat bottom angle and lumbar supports for both seats (all seats have electrical back angle adjustments).  The back of the seats are finished in an interior color matching leatherette (unless the full leather option is selected).

Pictures: (click a picture for a closer look)

Benefits:

Along with the electrical movements, the Power Seat Package also adds memory seat features, exterior mirror memory, right side mirror parking assist when in reverse and remote control linking to seat memory position 1.

These memory features can be very nice if you share your car with another driver and don't want to be hunting for your optimal seat position every time you trade cars.

Drawbacks:

Some say the Power Seats can not go as low or as far back as the mechanical seats.  The power seats will add some small amount of weight to a Cayman.

More Information:

Product Information Guide - page 44

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 70

Cayman Owners Manual - page 33-35

Informative Threads:

Description:

If you love the sound of that boxer 6 engine, want more of it, but the idea of modifying your prized Cayman makes the hairs on the back of you neck stand up, well then the Porsche Sport Exhaust System might be for you.

The PSE option provides you with a modified baffle that is electronically controlled.  There is a switch on the dash board that controls two vacuum actuators in the baffle which allows the driver to select a 'Quiet' or 'Sport' sound at will.  Selecting the 'Sport' sound will retune the baffle to give you a more robust sport car sound.  In cars equipped with Sport-Chrono, control of this exhaust system is tied to the SC 'Sport' button.

It is important to note that this option is new to the Cayman for model year 2007 and will not be available until January of 2007.  Because of this, at the time this FAQ was written, there were no systems available for testing or even owners to provide impressions.  Therefore, the information here is theoretical and/or drawing from the experiences of owners of other models in which this option has been available.

Benefits of PSE:

PSE nicely compliments PASM and the Sport-Chrono System by adding one more layer of adaptability to a Cayman.  If you would like to cruise down the highway in peace and quiet, no problem, just select the 'Quiet' mode.  If you want to make a little noise and get a little attention, your wish is just a button push away.

Drawbacks of PSE:

Many people who change their exhaust system do so to achieve power gains.  Porsche does not claim a single horsepower gained because of this option.  There are some that believe it does add power but that Porsche won't go on the record in regard to a promised increase for a variety of reasons.  Because this option is not yet available, real world testing can not be completed and no gain should be expected.

In the 996, 997 and Boxster models equipped with PSE, the system automatically switches to quiet mode between 25-40 MPH to comply with certain noise emission requirements.  Owners of those vehicles have found various ways to circumvent the 'quiet window', but this brings you right back to modifying your car and contradicts one of the reasons to buy such an option.  With these two drawbacks in mind, many people would rather spend the money on an aftermarket system that will deliver more horsepower.

Informative Threads:

XS* - Colored Seatbelts

Options Codes: XSH - Silver, XSX - Guards Red and XSY - Speed Yellow

Price: $340

Description: 

All Caymans come with 3-point black seat belts with pyrotechnic belt tensioners and belt force limiters.  Porsche provides three options to for colored belts in silver, guards red, and speed yellow.

Pictures:

Guards Red

Silver

Speed Yellow

Do It Yourself Retrofit

A complete and detailed description of how to retrofit colored seatbelts into your Cayman maybe be found here.

References:

Porsche Product Information Cayman S

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us
Last Revised: January, 2007

XLA - Chrome Exhaust Pipes

Options Code: XLA

Price: $570

Description:

The dual chrome exhaust pipe upgrade replaces the standard trapezoidal brushed stainless exhaust tip with two chrome plated side by side pipes.

Pictures: (click a picture for a closer look)

Benefits:

This upgrade adds a custom and aggressive dual exhaust look to the car.  This keeps the folks behind you wondering just how far your modifications go.....

The chrome finish should be easier to keep clean than the standard brushed stainless steel tip.

Drawbacks:

Price, at $570 this is an expensive touch.  There are some folks that feel that the original tip will be more desirable down the road when the Cayman reaches classic status.  The original exhaust tip also blends very nicely with the opening in the bumper. 

If an aftermarket exhaust is on your wish list, these tips may not be usable.  Check with your preferred exhaust system manufacturer to see if these tips are usable with their system.

Informative Threads:

XCZ - Sport Shifter

Options Codes: XCZ (special order only in 2007)

Price: $765 (2006)

Description:

For quicker and sportier shifting, gear lever travel is shortened by up to 35%. The result: more precise gearshift throws and an even more dynamic Porsche driving experience.

Pictures:

Normal Shifter Movement	Short Shifter Movement	Part Number: 997.424.983.00

Benefits:

Almost everyone who has upgraded to a sport shifter describes it as a must have option.  If adding a short shifter after delivery, the OEM part is a direct drop in that requires no permanent modification to the shifter cage like many aftermarket short shifters do.

Drawbacks:

Short Shifters feel heavier and more mechanical than the standard shifter, especially when the transmission is cold.  Porsche found that the sport shifter was diminishing the overall enjoyment of owners who were not prepared for a short shifter.  Because of this, in 2007 Porsche removed this option from the order guide so dealerships could no longer order inventory cars with it.  The option is still available by special order (when ordering a car to spec), or as a dealer installed item.

Informative Threads: Factory OEM Short Shifter Install - DO IT!!! , Short Shifter? , Short Shifter , Short Shifter Picture Request , Shifter Comparison

Description:

Like PASM, the truth about the Sport Chrono Package has eluded many automotive journalist, many of whom have suggested that Sport Chrono is nothing more than a $920 stop watch.  Sport Chrono is much more than that.

This option takes control of many of the Cayman's on board systems delivering absolute sport driving characteristics.  When the Sport Chrono button is pressed, many things happen including:

• The drive by wire throttle map is changed making the Cayman feel more responsive and making 'heel-toe' downshifting easier.
• PASM is switched to Sport Program to provide more crisp handling and less body roll
• PSM intervention limits are increased to allow more aggressive driving without triggering a system response.
• The TipTronic S / PDK transmission will switch to a more aggressive shifting map that keeps the engine ready to go
• The Soft Rev Limiter is replaced with a Hard Rev Limiter allowing you to get full power all the way to redline (more info below)
• Porsche Sport Exhaust will automatically switch to its' sport sound

Pictures:

Benefits of Sport Chrono:

Most benefits are self explanatory, except for the Hard Rev Limiter. To fully understand the benefit of the Hard Rev Limiter, we first need to define some terms.

What is a Rev Limiter? - A rev limiter is a safety device that cuts fuel, ignition or both at a specified RPM to prevent an engine from continuing to rev beyond its mechanical safety limit.

Hard Rev Limiter - The most basic of rev limiters, a Hard Rev Limiter does nothing until the engine reaches the predefined engine speed at which point fuel and ignition are shut off. This can be very abrupt and hard on the power train as the engine cycles on and off between full power and no power.  The very first rev limiters installed were all hard rev limiters.

Soft Rev Limiter - Because hitting a hard rev limiter can be uncomfortable for the driver and hard on the car, manufacturers created the 'Soft Rev Limiter'. A Soft Rev Limiter reduces power output by retarding ignition timing as the engine approaches its limit. This usually begins about 500 RPMs before the hard cut off point. As the ignition timing is retarded and power drops off, the resulting feeling of power loss signals the driver that it's time to shift. If a driver ignores this, ignition timing is retarded further until the rev limit is reached at which point the resulting cut off is much 'softer' because the engine is not being cycled on and off between full power and no power. All Caymans come with a Soft Rev Limiter.

How  does Sport Chrono affect the Rev Limiter? - Sport Chrono does not change the cut off RPM, which remains at 7,300 RPMs on cars with or without Sport Chrono Package. It simply removes the 'Soft' cut off that begins at 6,800 RPMs and allows the engine to produce full power from 6,800 - 7,300 RPMs. A car without Sport Chrono will start losing power at 6,800 RPMs and continue loosing power progressively until 7,300 RPMs where the hard cut off will finally be reached.  Sport Chrono Package will replace the Cayman's Soft Rev Limiter with a Hard Rev Llimiter during Sport Mode.

No one has ever quantified the difference in horsepower in the 6,800 - 7,300 RPM range, but it is there by design and undisputable. Anyone with Sport Chrono can attest that the engine will rush to the hard cut off in Sport mode, where in normal mode they can obviously feel the flat spot.

Most owners who have Sport Chrono say they love the way it makes the car feel and that they use it quite often.  This feature works nicely in conjunction with many of the other options like PASM, TipTronic S and Sport Exhaust to give the Cayman a 'Jeckel & Hyde' personality.  At one moment ready for a night on the town, and the next moment ready to be a track day star.  Features like this help make this incredibly capable car more forgiving when also used as a daily driver.

Yes, Sport Chrono does come with an analog/digital stop watch which is useful when tracking lap times.  Sport Chrono Plus with PCM interface also stores lap times and history data in the PCM interface.  These features are really best appreciated on the track when lap times are of interest to you, but all of the other features are just as much fun on the street.

Research this option here and you will come to the conclusion that most people who did not buy it wish they had.  Start with the suggested reading below and try using the search option.   

Drawbacks of Sport Chrono:

Some people don't like the idea of having two throttle control maps.  I has been argued that practicing in one map will make your reflexes less familiar with the other map.

More Information:

Product Information Guide - page 51

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 47

Cayman Owners Manual - page 61

Porsche Web Site - See 'Sport Chrono Package' video

Informative Threads:

Steering Wheel Options:

Upgrading after Purchase:

The labor to change a steering wheel is minimal, but because all of the optional wheels use a different airbag than the standard steering wheel, adding this option after delivery will typically cost much more than the option price.

Informative Threads:

249 - Tiptronic Transmission

Price: $3,210

Description: 

Porsche provides an optional Tiptronic five speed automatic transmission. Adapted from the Boxster S, the Cayman S Tiptronic has a new hydraulic and electronic control system. Used in conjunction with the Sport Chrono option, gear changes are quicker and shift times reduced. 

Pictures:

Drawbacks:

There is a performance penalty to be paid for using an automatic transmission vice the manual transmission.  Specifically, per Porsche with the Cayman S:

• the car is 88 pounds heavier,
• top speed is reduced from 171 MPH to 166 MPH,
• 0 - 60 MPH times are increased from 5.1 seconds to 5.8 seconds, and
• 50 - 75 MPH  times are increased from 6.3 to 6.6 seconds (penultimate gear, i.e., second to last gear), 
• 62 - 124 MPH times are increased from 17.8 to 18 seconds (penultimate gear).
• urban mileage decreases from 18.5 MPG to 17.3 MPG
• overall mileage decreases from 28 MPG to 25.7 MPG,  
• CO2 emissions increase from 254/262 g/km, and
• CD increases from 0.29 to 0.30.

Informative Threads:

Video: Porsche Cayman S Tiptronic top speed acceleration

Sluggish tiptronic s

Tiptronic S Tricks and Guides - Inputs

References:

Porsche Product Information Cayman S

Porsche

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us
Last Revised: February, 2007

482 - TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

Option Code: 482

Price: $590 (MY 2006 - Standard from 2007 on)

Description:

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System provides early warning of any drop in tire pressure by continuously monitoring the pressure in each tire and alerting you in the onboard computer display in the event of a pressure deficiency.  It communicates the exact pressure of each tire and/or their deviation from ideal pressure.  This does away with the need for regular air pressure checks at the service station, which often prove highly inconvenient.

Additionally, having the correct air pressure reduces tire wear (a deficiency in pressure of 0.3 bar (4.4psi) can reduce the service life of tires by up to 25%). Driving on under inflated tires also results in increased fuel consumption. 

Pictures:

General Forum Findings:

There has been a lot of discussion about the fact that TPMS is not as accurate as a good quality hand held tire gauge.  This is because TPMS delivers an absolute pressure instead of a relative pressure, which can fluctuate with atmospheric conditions. When using a tire pressure gauge to measure ambient pressure, environmental conditions can introduce up to a 15% variability in tire pressure due to temperature and altitude variations. The Owner’s manual does not provide guidelines on translating ambient pressure as a function of temperature and/or altitude and leaves it to the owner to make appropriate adjustments.

The TPMS system reads the pressure from inside the tire and is not impacted by environmental conditions therefore those readings may be significantly different from those of some tire gauges especially if the gauge is also not accurate or environmental conditions have changed.

The accuracy of a typical mechanical gauge is ±3 PSI. Higher accuracy gauges with ±1 PSI accuracy can also be obtained and should be used for setting air pressures. TPMS is a valuable safety device that can be of great value when you're driving around on expensive wheels with no spare tire or jack. 

More Information:

Product Information Guide - page 30

Cayman Sales Brochure - page 43

Cayman Owners Manual - page 104

Interesting Posts:

Advice needed for mounting TPMS modules , Helpful TPMS , Tire Pressure Monitor Question , TPMS Accuracy?

FAQ Information:

TITLE: CAYMAN WHEELS CODES

Description: Examples of Cayman Wheels

Porsche Technical Information can be found here

Porsche Tequipment Cayman Wheels

More Information:

More Pictures of OEM Wheels Click on Wheels & Tires

FAQ Information:

This FAQ was written by chows4us

Last Revised: July, 2007