Porsche Cayman R reviewed

What is it? A lighter, more powerful version of the Cayman S. There’s also a bodykit – to improve downforce – decals and lightweight alloy wheels. It's also fair to say that no-one’s going to buy the R for its creature comforts – there’s no air-conditioning, and you don’t even get a stereo. What it does have, though, is a lower kerbweight than the Cayman S model it’s based on – 55kg lighter to be exact – and a more powerful engine.

What’s it like to drive? The R has the same 3.4-litre six-cylinder boxer engine as the S, and it has exactly the same 273lb ft torque output. However, it’s been retuned to give 325bhp, which is 9bhp more than the S. That doesn’t sound like a vast difference, but you certainly feel the extra thrust. Nailing the throttle away from the mark results in a blistering surge of pace accompanied by a loud, throaty bellow from the exhaust.

The numbers support the R’s superiority, with a 0-62mph sprint time (5.0sec) that shaves two tenths off the S’s best effort. It’ll also keep going until you hit 175mph, while the S tops out at 172mph.

• Hardcore Cayman model
• Lighter, more powerful
• Costs £51,731

What Car?