New Porsche Cayman for LA show debut

Porsche’s third-generation Boxster landed here five months ago, and now waiting in the wings is its hard-hatted sibling, the second-generation Cayman coupe.

Due to make its world debut at the Los Angeles motor show on November 28, the new Cayman (old model pictured) is expected here in the first quarter of 2013, promising the same dynamic excellence that has earned the new 981-series Boxster rave reviews.

Also due to make its US debut at the LA show is the new 911 Carrera 4 that was recently launched to the world’s motoring media in Austria.

The fact the new Cayman will be revealed in the US is hardly a surprise, given that North America is the largest single market for the German sportscar specialist, with 28,226 sales so far this year - more than a third of which was accounted for by the 911, Boxster and Cayman.

Porsche hasn’t yet announced any tech details relating to the new Cayman, but it’s likely the second-gen model will gain slightly uprated versions of the 2.7 and 3.4-litre flat-six engines that propel the latest Boxster and Boxster S respectively.

The 2.7 puts out 195kW and 280Nm in the Boxster, while the 3.4 punches out 232kW and 360Nm, but the Cayman is expected to gain an extra 10 to 15kW, maintaining the slight tech superiority its predecessor enjoyed over its roadster sibling.

There are no teaser images to go on for now, but spy pics of the new-gen Cayman aired over the past several months have revealed a more steeply raked windscreen than in the outgoing model, while the roof design also looks better integrated.

The new Cayman also sports beefier fenders and shorter front and rear overhangs, giving it a sportier, more purposeful appearance.

Aside from the revised styling, the other highlight is the new Cayman’s lightweight aluminium body, which is believed to pare as much as 50kg from its kerb weight.

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