Cayman S vs. 997 Carrera Comparison (AMS)
German car magazine AMS recently reviewed the Cayman S vs. the 997 Carrera. It is worth mentioning, that the reviewed Cayman S had PCCB and PASM while the 997 Carrera had the standard brake (PCCB isn't available for the 911 Carrera) but the 20 mm chassis incl. the limited slip differential.
The weight difference between both cars was 50 kg only, the 997 Carrera of course being heavier. Nethertheless surprising.
Test results:
0-100 kph
Cayman S: 5.4 seconds
997 Carrera: 4.9 seconds
0-200 kph
Cayman S: 19.0 seconds
997 Carrera: 17.7 seconds
Handling Performance
ISO-Handling Test
Cayman S: 145.6 kph
997 Carrera: 144.0 kph
Slalom Test (18 m)
Cayman S: 69.0 kph
997 Carrera: 69.2 kph
Braking Performance
100-0 kph: 36 m (both cars, cold and warm brakes)
2 m shorter braking distance from 190-0 kph for the Cayman S, apparently the advantage of the PCCB brake.
Both cars have been tested without the sport chrono package.
According to AMS, the Cayman S is a bit more trickier to drive when the PSM is turned off due to the mid engine setup. The 997 Carrera understeers a little bit more but has less traction problems than the Cayman S.
The Carrera is also more forgiving at the limit, offering a wider "safety range" than the Cayman S, of course we're talking about driving with PSM off.
AMS also seems to like the steering feel on the Cayman S better than on the 997 Carrera, the 997 Carrera feels a little bit less direct, probably due to the 19'' wheels.
I tried to extract the most important information without making any comments. Since we will post our own review soon, I didn't want to give away too much. Overall we have to agree with what AMS said.
Since it was a comparison review, the Cayman S won.
For the price of the Cayman S, you get almost 997 Carrera performance, AMS calls the Cayman S a "Cannibal".
More things to discuss as soon as we put our review online this weekend. Happy argueing.
The weight difference between both cars was 50 kg only, the 997 Carrera of course being heavier. Nethertheless surprising.
Test results:
0-100 kph
Cayman S: 5.4 seconds
997 Carrera: 4.9 seconds
0-200 kph
Cayman S: 19.0 seconds
997 Carrera: 17.7 seconds
Handling Performance
ISO-Handling Test
Cayman S: 145.6 kph
997 Carrera: 144.0 kph
Slalom Test (18 m)
Cayman S: 69.0 kph
997 Carrera: 69.2 kph
Braking Performance
100-0 kph: 36 m (both cars, cold and warm brakes)
2 m shorter braking distance from 190-0 kph for the Cayman S, apparently the advantage of the PCCB brake.
Both cars have been tested without the sport chrono package.
According to AMS, the Cayman S is a bit more trickier to drive when the PSM is turned off due to the mid engine setup. The 997 Carrera understeers a little bit more but has less traction problems than the Cayman S.
The Carrera is also more forgiving at the limit, offering a wider "safety range" than the Cayman S, of course we're talking about driving with PSM off.
AMS also seems to like the steering feel on the Cayman S better than on the 997 Carrera, the 997 Carrera feels a little bit less direct, probably due to the 19'' wheels.
I tried to extract the most important information without making any comments. Since we will post our own review soon, I didn't want to give away too much. Overall we have to agree with what AMS said.
Since it was a comparison review, the Cayman S won.
For the price of the Cayman S, you get almost 997 Carrera performance, AMS calls the Cayman S a "Cannibal".
More things to discuss as soon as we put our review online this weekend. Happy argueing.
However good the Cayman is, and I am sure it IS good, it will always be seen as a poorer man's 911. And it is. And I speak as a Boxster owner, not a 911 owner.
