Porsche Cayman AWD

This really isn’t the Porsche 911 GT3 versus the Audi R8 V10 Plus. (Note to self: test the 911 GT3 vs. Audi R8 V10 Plus, because that noises f#%king awesome.)

But this head-to-head is very probably the next best thing, and the very good news is you could actually able to manage one of these brilliant nice small German recreations automobiles. Sure, the Porsche Cayman S is not exactly chump modification with a beginning price of $64, 795, nor may be the TT-RS at a somewhat less hurtful $58, 095, but make a few sacrifices (like having kiddies, or giving all of them to university) and you could take one. Continue, you understand you want to.

And extremely, it is a stretch worth making, because both offer a pant-shrinking mixture of seductive sheet metal and ego-enhancing overall performance. Plus you can get several essential consonants from each, the Cayman having that necessary S included with its name along side a 325 hp naturally-aspirated 3.4-liter flat-6 bolted toward back of the chairs, although the Audi gets an R before its S and a carbon-topped 2.5-liter straight-5 underneath the hood that is boosted to the track of 360 hp.

On paper the TT-RS looks to have a grip benefit, too, thanks to its quattro all-wheel drive system, plus this angry-looking Audi has actually 68 lb-ft of torque a lot more than the curvaceous Porsche. Although Cayman S’s mid-engine balance and ultra-quick PDK dual-clutch gearbox may tip the machines in its way round the AutoGuide test track.

Choices? We Talkin’ About Alternatives?

But before getting towards track action, let us get the obligatory whining in regards to the price of choices regarding the Porsche taken care of. It’s ideal understood money grab in the industry, and yet somehow you just can’t resist ticking the box the $2, 370 recreation Chrono Package or perhaps the Sport Design tyre, could you? They lend a more upscale appearance and Porsche claims the game Chrono bundle saves a little time in sprinting to 60 mph..

Our certain test car made excellent utilization of the countless credit-testing possibilities to Porsche purchasers, having been addressed to practically $15, 000 in extras. This brings it toward “we’re getting dangerously near to 911 cash” cost of $79, 725 including destination cost, but you do get that automagic gearbox, Porsche Active Suspension control (PASM) and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PVT) in the process, that shouldn't only reduce lap times but in addition make its overall performance more available to the average motorist.

There are far a lot fewer options available to TT RS owners, three pedals and a manual 6-speed being mandatory inside marketplace. However, our test mule comes with a supplementary $10, 000 in choices, its out-the-door cost inflating to $64, 770 by way of add-ons just like the tech bundle ($3500) and titanium recreation fatigue bundle (which sounds because spectacular as its $2700 cost suggests). Not too you can easily option out a TT RS anyhow, since its minimal manufacturing run has arrived to a finish (the RS5 coupe being a fairly delicious substitute for similar money).

Opposites Attack

Despite both being produced underneath the VAG umbrella (appears dirty, i understand), these two speed machines couldn’t go about their particular business any in a different way. The nose-heavy Audi, with 61per cent of their weight in advance, ideas the scales at a tremendously reasonable 3, 306 pounds despite its Haldex all-wheel drive system and iron engine block. Generous use of aluminum has actually kept the flab down, and unlike the two-seater Porsche, the TT RS has actually right back chairs that could carry little humans in a-pinch or, more relevantly, fold down so that the rear hatch becomes a generous cargo hold.

Provided its body weight circulation and AWD power distribution, you’d be forgiven for assuming that the TT RS understeers whenever driven hard into corners, and indeed, it'll plough offline if you overcook part entry, but judged properly the Audi’s magnetized dampers and overall suspension bundle do a great job controlling human body motion and handling grip when you aim it at an apex. it is perhaps not almost because pointy whilst the Porsche, however it’s no slouch within the corners either.

Jump into the Cayman S and has now an entirely different feel and look to it, the sitting position being reduced and much more reclined than in the Audi. Its small rear-wheel drive layout and aluminum backside framework in addition mean you’re buckled to an incredibly lightweight device, with a curb weight of just 2, 976 lbs. Along with the engine in the centre, 54per cent of their mass has ended the rear tires, giving it superb balance on corner entry and surprising grip once you change straight back onto the go-pedal.

Its 7-speed PDK transmission might have been developed in collaboration aided by the extended Island Medium, as it downshifts with a telepathic quality that is eerie (I was tempted to line my helmet with tinfoil, in order to test the idea that transmission can actually review thoughts). It’s enjoyable having fun with the flappy paddles mounted to the controls, and additionally they do give you a higher feeling of control, but leave it completely ‘auto’ mode and also you won’t give-up a millisecond of overall performance, that is without a doubt.

Tracking the Differences

It might be recognizing the Audi a serious amount of torque, but due to its lower curb body weight and PDK magic, it's the Cayman that seems faster regarding back end of straight-aways, a feeling the in-car data confirmed (Vmax down the forward right of 108.7 miles per hour inside Cayman and 105.0 mph in the TT). The Porsche’s normally aspirated flat-6 also offers an excellent rev-happiness to it, pulling strongly to its 7, 800 rpm redline while making a melodically metallic sound recording.

The in-car data additionally verified the impression of excellent cornering capability, where Cayman S regularly creating 1.2g of cornering power and peaked at 1.24g while entering the esses (Turn 4). The onboard alphabet soup of PASM and PTV worked quietly and effectively in history with security control deterred and Sport+ mode engaged, the net effect becoming a rather delighted driver whom discovered it remarkably simple to dial in just the right number of slip position even though the computers figured out simply how much torque to send to every of this rear rims. Despite all of the onboard technology, the Cayman always believed totally normal to push within limitation, showing a willingness to slide around corners at yaw angles that typically deliver e-nannies into spastic responses that eliminate the fun.

Meanwhile, behind the wheel of the Audi TT RS, the party doesn’t actually start until such time you get on the gasoline mid-corner. But when you do, its turbocharged 5-banger and quattro system launches you forward with the type of urgency and character you’d anticipate from a WRC rally car. In fact, once we discovered this past year whenever first assessment the TT RS, it is in fact happiest when being addressed with a bit of Walter Rorhl flare, pitching it into sides to get the front end turned in very early then stomping in the throttle so your turbo spools up rapidly after which the all-wheel drive system flings you out on the right.

Which is not just the fun way to have the Audi round the track; the stopwatch also proved it was the quicker method.

Surprising Pace

Maybe not fast adequate to certainly challenge the blistering rate for the Cayman S, though. Indeed, the TT RS was a second off unique rate from last year, with a best lap of 1-minute 23.423-seconds, and a whisker over 2-seconds slowly as compared to Porsche’s best lap of 1-minute 21.286-seconds.