Weight loss was a key obsession at Porsche as it saw this as the way to improve the two-seater even further in its performance, driving dynamics and agility.
The car's weight was reduced overall by 55kg to 1,295kg compared with the S.
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This means that the Porsche engineers were able to reduce the power-to-weight ratio of the Coupé with standard manual transmission to 3.9 kilograms per horsepower, and the Porsche double-clutch transmission (PDK) has 4.0 kilograms per horsepower.
The largest savings were achieved through the use of lightweight components and doing without convenience fittings.
On the bodywork side, 15kg was saved through the use of aluminium doors as used in the 911 Turbo.
Light sports bucket seats do not just improve the driver's side support in bends, but they also contribute
to a further weight reduction with a saving of around 12kg compared with the conventional seats used in the S.
The reduced door trim without storage compartment and with door opening strap, dispensing with the instrument cluster cover and the cupholder in addition to a wide range of minor measures round off the light - weight package.
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| Open the door by pulling on the red strap. |
It also comes with the lightest 19-inch wheels that Porsche could produce. The 10 spokes are so finely designed – but still extremely robust – that the complete rim set only weighs 40kg.
In Europe, the series version can be ordered without air conditioning or radio, which results in a further 15kg less in weight. But such features are standard equipment in Malaysia for obvious reasons.
The suspension has been lowered by 20mm all around and its chassis has received tweaks to make the coupe more responsive and agile. A limited slip differential is standard on the R but optional on the S.
The RM630,000 R gets 10 more horses than the S. The main reason for the increased power is the changed exhaust system with its new head pipe and a modifed engine control.
Just as for engines made for motor racing, the R 3.4-litre direct-injection six-cylinder boxer engine has been built to the high-revving concept and produces its maximum power of 330hp at 7400 rpm, 100 rpm before its rotational-speed limit. This enables the driver to use the gear ratios of the manual transmission or PDK even better and to decrease the lap times.
Peak torque of 370Nm is attained at 4,750 rpm with top speed at 282kph and a 0-100kph time of 4.9s.
To match this, the accelerator pedal control characteristic curve has been designed with the emphasis on sport, so that the Cayman R reacts much more spontaneously and powerfully to the driver's commands in concert with the PDK.
The R comes with Sport Chrono Package for Malaysia. The sport button in the centre console is used to activate the sport mode for both the engine and Porsche Stability Management (PSM).
In the PDK-equipped R, the double-clutch transmission is modified for especially rapid gear shifting, resulting in an uncompromisingly sporty shift program for the best in driving performance on the circuit.
Fuel consumption is rated at 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres.
Note that the car is optimised for use with Premium Plus fuel (RON98).
Porsche distributor Sime Darby Auto Performance estimates there would be a loss of 5hp as a result of using RON97, which is the highest grade available locally.
It is confident that Malaysian customers will go for the PDK that it is only offering the six-speed manual transmission as an option.
Elsewhere, there remains a wide scope for personalisation. Almost all the options in the Cayman programme are also available for the R-type, and these range from climate control through a complete leather interior right up to Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights and LED daytime driving lights.
Of the 20-25 units of the R targeted for sale this year, eight units have already been spoken for.
The rollout of the R on Monday was held at the Sepang International Circuit in conjunction with the Porsche Driving Experience that is under way from June 12-15.
