Panorama questions Porsche's motives with Cayman's tranny
There has already been one thread on this issue a few weeks ago, but it never seemed to lead to a conclusion.
This month, Panorama, PCA's monthly magazine, has a review of the Cayman S. They bring up the issue of whether the Cayman's transmission is the latest victim of Porsche's product positioning.
Here's a direct quote from page 10 of 11/05:
"Except for a taller first and second gear (3.31:1 and 1.95:1 versus 3.67:1 and 2.05:1), the Cayman S' six-speed manual transmission ("specifically adjusted to the particular character of Porsche's new sports coupe," says the factory) carries over from the Boxster S and features triple synchromesh on the first two gears. Because the final drive ratio remains 3.88, one assumes that the loss of grunt in the Cayman's first two gears is compensated for by the more powerful and torquier engine. Or as Porsche says, "this configuration combines high performance with optimum use of engine torque and maximum output."
Some late-breaking news for you shiftless types: although the ratios of the Cayman S' five speed Tiptronic S automatic are the same as the Boxster S', the Cayman's lower final drive ratio (4.16 vs. 3.91:1) should send a conspiracy theorist's heart racing. In short, did Porsche booger the Tip's final drive ratio to keep the Cayman S from going too fast and stepping on the 911's toes?"
Well duh!
Porsche is very much aware that hp and 0-60 times are powerful marketing tools. And certainly everyone at Porsche knows the Cayman's proper place: below the 911. So just to make sure that the 0-60 time is less than the base 911, we'll give it two taller gears in the manual. And in the Tiptronic, well, the cheapest way to fix that is in the differential, no need to alter the transmission itself.
Call me cynical, but the Cayman is INTENTIONALLY CRIPPLED by Porsche. The 3.4L engine has LESS power than when it was in the 996, even though Porsche assures us it has been re-engineered. The transmission is "specifically adjusted to the particular character of Porsche's new sports coupe" which is a bunch of marketing doublespeak for "given taller gearing to reduce cannibalization of our higher margin products."
The Cayman will be an excellent car. Unfortunately it is a better demonstration of Porsche's marketing ability than their dedication to building their best sportscars.
Should you really put an 'S' on a vehicle that has its performance limitations built in from the factory?
Porsche, feel free to mail me a nicely printed, full-color, professionally photographed brochure of a car that you REALLY care about. But no more Cayman stuff please.
mcdelaug
This month, Panorama, PCA's monthly magazine, has a review of the Cayman S. They bring up the issue of whether the Cayman's transmission is the latest victim of Porsche's product positioning.
Here's a direct quote from page 10 of 11/05:
"Except for a taller first and second gear (3.31:1 and 1.95:1 versus 3.67:1 and 2.05:1), the Cayman S' six-speed manual transmission ("specifically adjusted to the particular character of Porsche's new sports coupe," says the factory) carries over from the Boxster S and features triple synchromesh on the first two gears. Because the final drive ratio remains 3.88, one assumes that the loss of grunt in the Cayman's first two gears is compensated for by the more powerful and torquier engine. Or as Porsche says, "this configuration combines high performance with optimum use of engine torque and maximum output."
Some late-breaking news for you shiftless types: although the ratios of the Cayman S' five speed Tiptronic S automatic are the same as the Boxster S', the Cayman's lower final drive ratio (4.16 vs. 3.91:1) should send a conspiracy theorist's heart racing. In short, did Porsche booger the Tip's final drive ratio to keep the Cayman S from going too fast and stepping on the 911's toes?"
Well duh!
Porsche is very much aware that hp and 0-60 times are powerful marketing tools. And certainly everyone at Porsche knows the Cayman's proper place: below the 911. So just to make sure that the 0-60 time is less than the base 911, we'll give it two taller gears in the manual. And in the Tiptronic, well, the cheapest way to fix that is in the differential, no need to alter the transmission itself.
Call me cynical, but the Cayman is INTENTIONALLY CRIPPLED by Porsche. The 3.4L engine has LESS power than when it was in the 996, even though Porsche assures us it has been re-engineered. The transmission is "specifically adjusted to the particular character of Porsche's new sports coupe" which is a bunch of marketing doublespeak for "given taller gearing to reduce cannibalization of our higher margin products."
The Cayman will be an excellent car. Unfortunately it is a better demonstration of Porsche's marketing ability than their dedication to building their best sportscars.
Should you really put an 'S' on a vehicle that has its performance limitations built in from the factory?
Porsche, feel free to mail me a nicely printed, full-color, professionally photographed brochure of a car that you REALLY care about. But no more Cayman stuff please.
mcdelaug
