Bi-Xenon Headlamps
By Michael Souza, November 2011
Bi-Xenon headlamps use
high voltage electricity to create an arc between two tungsten electrodes
inside a bulb filled with special gasses and minerals. Those gasses and
minerals produce additional light when heated, intensifying the bulb's
output.
These High
Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps use less current to produce more light
and less heat than conventional filament type lamps. Porsche's Bi-Xenon
headlights use a single bulb for both low (dipped) and high (main) beam.
The output pattern is electromechanically changed when high beams are
requested, allowing light to project much higher and further than the low
beam pattern. This results in a very fast and seamless transition
from one beam to the other.
987.1 (2006-2008):
987.2 (2009-2012):
Benefits:
The Bi-Xenon headlamps are not only much brighter than
conventional halogen headlamps, they also provide a wider and more consistently
diffused supply of light in front of the car. Their blue-white color is very close to the wavelength of actual daylight which reduces eye strain.
The Bi-Xenon headlamps are self
leveling and come with headlight washers, an easy visual identifier for this
option. When activated the headlight washers telescopically extend upward
by 10cm and provide a high pressure blast of windshield washer fluid to the
headlight lens (see video).
In 2009, Dynamic Cornering
Lights were added, which will aim the light pattern by up to 15 degrees when
turning.
Because HID lamps need time to
ignite and warm up, these lamp assemblies contain halogen main beam
bulbs for use as passing lights when short intermittent bursts of light are needed.
Drawbacks:
Because these lights are highly
desirable, there have been some incidents of theft.
Replacement bulbs are more
expensive, and these headlamps are heavier than the halogen lamps because of the
addition of ballasts and headlight washers.
Details:
Option Code: P74
Price (2006): $1,050
Available on: All Cayman Models
Conflicts or Requirements: None
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Park Assist System
Park Assist System
By Michael Souza & Chuck Cinque, November 2011
The Park Assist system is a parking aid with four distance sensors integrated into the rear bumper of the car. It works
by emitting ultrasonic sound and "listening" to judge how far an object is away. Inside the vehicle, the distance is conveyed
to the driver by beeping sounds. As one approaches an object the beeping increases in frequency, eventually becoming a continuous
beep cautioning the driver about an object being too close.
Benefits:
Parking sensors can detect hard to see objects, such as low poles, curbs, children, pets, thus preventing accidents
while parking or exiting a parking spot. The Park Assist system also emits a beep when reverse is engaged.
Sensors are only present in the rear and also do not pick up
certain sound absorbing or thin objects. Some might consider the sensors to be aesthetically unpleasing.
Very small, or low obstructions may not be detected, and Porsche warns that, "Despite
use of the parking assistant system, the driver is still responsible for taking due care and assessing obstacles when backing up".
Be aware that the parking assistant system is not switched on if the car rolls backward
without reverse gear being engaged.
Details:
Option Code: 635
Price (2006): $530
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Porsche Active
Suspension Management (PASM)
By Michael Souza, November 2011
PASM is an electronically
adjustable suspension system. It
allows a Cayman to automatically adapt to changing road and driving conditions. Caymans
equipped with PASM will have a button on the center console that allows the
driver to select between a "Normal" or "Sport" mode. Regardless of which program is selected, PASM is always
continuously adjusting the damping rates of the shock absorbers within a
predetermined range to suit the current driving conditions.
Benefits:
The
primary benefit of PASM is the ability to have the best of both worlds.
PASM can deliver a soft comfortable ride without sacrificing driving precision
or handling when desired.
In PASM Normal mode, a PASM equipped Cayman's damping rates
will vary from a setting that is considerably softer than a Cayman with Standard suspension to a
setting that is a little harder. In Sport mode, the damping
rates will vary from the about the same as that of the standard suspension to a
rate that is significantly harder. This
adaptability makes a PASM equipped car very versatile. At one moment it
can be a soft driving street car that is forgiving over rough pavement, and the
next moment it can be a taught track car ready for a DE event.
Springs & Ride Height:
PASM comes with different
springs than the standard suspension. Those springs are 10mm shorter and
15% stiffer (46 N/mm vs. 40N/mm). These springs reduce the ride height of
a PASM equipped Cayman by 10mm (~1/2 inch). Because of this lower ride
height, Cayman's with PASM are aligned with a little
more
negative camber.
Electronic Adaptability:
PASM is incredibly complex,
maybe too complex for complete coverage in this form of writing. It is very
important to understand that PASM is not just a bi-modal suspension, with normal
or sport modes available. Regardless of the program selected, PASM is
always adapting the damping rates to match the driving conditions.
The PASM computer continually
monitors and evaluates a wide range of vehicle dynamics and uses that information to
vary the damping rates. Among the vehicle
dynamics evaluated are:
Vertical movement
Lateral Acceleration
Steering Angle
Travel Speed
Brake Pressure
Engine RPM
Engine Torque
Chassis Pitch
Chassis Yaw
Chassis Roll
Beyond continuous adjustment of
the damping rates within the Normal and Sport modes, there are a number of software
'modules' that are programmed to react to complex vehicle behaviors, including:
Lane Change Module - Damper force is
immediately increased in response to rapid steering movements, reducing body
roll and instability during lane changes.
Vertical Control Module - Damper force
may be reduced or increased with vertical changes, like long sweeping bumps
(increased damping) or fast uneven pavement (reduced damping) to prevent
instability or loss of traction.
Lateral Acceleration Module - If
specific speed dependent thresholds for lateral acceleration are exceeded in
Normal mode, damper force is increased by different predefined amounts for each
side of the vehicle, increasing stability and driving precision.
Braking Module - PASM increases
damping resistance in response to braking to reduce vehicle nose dive and tail
lift, increasing braking traction.
Load Change Module - Damper
characteristics are individually altered for front and rear axles when
accelerating heavily, releasing the throttle or changing lanes. This
module can reduce pitching or soften rear axle damping to increase acceleration
traction.
Popular Misconceptions:
When the Cayman was first introduced in 2006, some
automotive journalists reported that pressing the PASM button lowers the car by
10mm. Activation of the system does not reduce the ride height. PASM
equipped Caymans are always 10mm lower than a standard Cayman.
Many potential Cayman buyers make the incorrect
assumption that the benefits of PASM could only be appreciated on the track.
This is very far from true. A PASM equipped Cayman in Normal Mode is a lot
more comfortable when driven over rough pavement like that you would find on the
street. PASM provides benefits both on the street and on the track.
Drawbacks:
Whether you're looking to restore / maintain an older Cayman, or considering
the installation of an aftermarket suspension system, PASM will limit your
choices in replacement dampers. To preserve the functionality of the PASM
system, dampers need to be replaced by either the original equipment
Porsche dampers, or one of the
Bilstein PSS DampTronic dampers (at
the time of this writing, Bilstein offered 5 choices for PASM equipped
Caymans).
It is possible to install
conventional dampers on a PASM car, but that would render the PASM system
inoperative and it would result in a 'PASM Failure' error message. If you're
thinking that you'd like to build a track Cayman that sits on specialized custom dampers,
you might be better off starting with a Cayman that has Standard Suspension.
Details:
Option Code: 475
Price (2006): $1,990
Available on: All Caymans except
the Cayman R
Conflicts or Requirements:
Requires Sport Package Plus on Cayman
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB)
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB)
By Michael Souza, November 2011
The Porsche Ceramic
Composite Brake System represents the absolute state of the art in
friction braking. This braking system is centered around four large
ceramic reinforced carbon fiber composite brake rotors, but the upgrades
don't stop at the rotors. PCCB also includes upgraded six piston monobloc
calipers up front (the same calipers you'd find on a GT-3) and larger four piston monobloc calipers in the rear
(the usual Cayman S front calipers),
both of which utilize larger brake pads that offer more friction surface
area (see table below).
A test drive of a PCCB equipped Cayman would reveal
that the PCCB feel very different than conventional brakes. The first thing you'll notice
is significantly improved initial bite, particularly when cold or wet.
Continue to work the brakes hard and you'll find that they are pretty much impervious
to fade. PCCB provides very consistent friction values.
Though improved feel and fade resistance are very
important, the greatest benefit of PCCB is the fact that their rotors weigh
approximately half as much as conventional cast iron rotors of the same size,
significantly reducing the unsprung weight at each wheel. Reducing
unsprung and rotational weight will improve a Cayman's ability to maintain grip
on rough surfaces, will improve both acceleration and deceleration and will allow the use of stiffer dampers without loss of comfort
because the dampers and springs have less mass to control.
PCCB
rotors have a much longer service life than conventional cast iron rotors
and owners have reported that the PCCB brake pads create much less brake dust
than conventional pads.
PCCB calipers are easily recognizable by their
bright yellow paint job as the next evolution to the 'Big Red' calipers of the
past. They look absolutely stunning inside a Cayman wheel and send a
message that your Cayman is a very serious performance tool.
Drawbacks:
At $8,150 (2006 price), this is the most expensive option
available on a Cayman. The cost of consumables (pads and rotors) is also very high.
Brakes are wear items so don't expect warranty coverage. For this reason,
PCCB may not be the best choice for Caymans used on the race track where rotors and pads are
consumed at an accelerated rate.
The selection of aftermarket brake pads and rotors
for PCCB is limited, reducing the number of choices and options when
replacements are needed.
Ceramic rotors are more fragile. There is a chance of
chipping one when changing wheels, which would require replacement, so extra
care is required when changing wheels or brake pads.
Details:
Option Code: 450
Price: $8,150 (2006)
Available on: 2006 - up Cayman S and higher models
Conflicts or Requirements: None
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Porsche Sport Exhaust (PSE)
Porsche Sports Exhaust (PSE)
By Michael Souza & Chuck Cinque, November 2011
A sports exhaust system – for a more resonant sound – is available as an option for each of the Cayman models. Though Porsche
promises the Cayman flat-six will produce a "powerful acoustic presence" without it, they offer the option of a dual-mode
sport exhaust system for customers who desire a more agressive tone, and the ability to calm things back down at the touch of
a button - the best of both worlds.
If you want more sound, with a different character than the base option provides, but the idea of modifying your prized Cayman
makes the hairs on the back of you neck stand up, well then the Porsche Sports Exhaust System might be for you.
The PSE option provides you with a modified baffle that is electronically controlled. There is a switch on the center console
that controls two vacuum actuators in the baffle which allows the driver to select a 'Quiet' or 'Sport' sound at will. Selecting
the 'Sport' sound will retune the baffle to give you a more robust sport car sound. In cars equipped with Sport-Chrono, control
of this exhaust system is tied to the SC 'Sport' button.
This option became available for the 2007 model year Cayman and continues until today, also included in the package are stainless
steel tailpipes with a hard chrome plated finish.
Benefits:
PSE nicely complements PASM and the Sport-Chrono System by adding one more layer of adaptability to a Cayman. If you would like to
cruise down the highway in peace and quiet, no problem, just select the 'Quiet' mode. If you want to make a little noise and hear the
engine sing, your wish is just a button push away.
Being an original equipment item, there aren't the same warranty issues that could possibly be created by fitting an aftermarket exhaust.
Drawbacks:
Many people who change their exhaust system do so to achieve power gains. Porsche does not claim an increase of one single horsepower
by choosing this option, though they do list this option under the "Performance" heading. There are some that believe
it does add power but that Porsche won't go on the record in regard to a promised increase for a variety of
reasons.
In models equipped with PSE, the system automatically switches to quiet mode between 25-40 MPH to
comply with certain noise emission requirements. Owners of those vehicles have found various ways to circumvent the 'quiet window',
but this brings you right back to modifying your car and contradicts one of the reasons to buy such an option. With these two drawbacks
in mind, many people would rather spend the money on an aftermarket system that will deliver more horsepower.
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman Register.
Seat Options
Seat Options
by Michael Souza, December 2011
There are really just a few connections
between man and machine when talking about cars. If I asked a car person to list
them, they'd probably say "Steering wheel, shifter, hand controls and
pedals..." I would not be surprised if they did not list the
seats, yet they are one of the most important connections. The seats
provide the greatest surface area in the man / machine interface. The
proper seats can make a driver one with a car, they can help the car
communicate movements, approaching limits and/or even mechanical problems.
Porsche has made several different seat
options available on the Cayman models which really adds to the
versatility and configurability of the cars. Let's take a look at
the options.
Sport Seats
Option Code: P79 /
2012 Price: $800 or $2,825 w/full leather
The
Sport seats are the least expensive seat option in the Cayman, and arguably one
of the best values on the option list (costing only $400 in 2006). They
provide the same type of adjustments as the Standard Seats, which includes a
manual adjustment for for/aft position, a pump lever for seat height / seat
bottom angle and an electric
adjuster for seat back angle. These are sometimes referred to as "Barber Chairs"
in the Porsche world because of the pump action required to change their height.
It's important to understand that with these mechanical seats the height and
seat bottom angle are not independently adjustable. As you raise or lower
the seat, the angle changes with it.
Where the
Sport seats differ is in their shape and construction. The Sport Seats are
constructed with firmer materials. Their shape is much different, with a
deeper dish for the seat bottom and a wider, deeper seat back with widened
shoulder bolsters. The Sport Seats get a hard plastic back, painted in
volcano grey from 2006-2008, and all seating surfaces are real leather, unlike
the standard seats.
Sports Seats add a very sporty feel to any Cayman
and they do a pretty nice job of keeping a driver in position during high G
force maneuvers. However, they may not be right for everyone. If you're a bigger
person, you might want to test them before committing. On long rides (> 8
hours), the
inability to be able to change your position in the seats can cause fatigue.
For moderate touring and sport driving, these seats are fantastic.
Power Seats
Option Code: P15 /
2012 Price: $1,550 or $3,935 w/full leather
The
Power Seats provide a Cayman driver with the same luxury and comfort as the
standard seats, but with power seats owners gain some obvious and some not
so obvious benefits.
On the obvious side you get electric adjustment of the for/aft position, front
and rear seat
height (which allows you to adjust seat bottom angle independent of height) and
seat back angle. On the not so obvious side, a Cayman equipped with power
seats also gains adjustable lumbar support, seat adjustment memory and auto
dipping of the right side rear view mirror when the reverse gear is selected,
which can be very helpful when parallel parking.
Adaptive Sport Seats Option Code:
P01 / 2006 Price: $3,055 or $5,080 w/full leather
If you can't decide between the
Sporty feel and connection of the Sport Seats and the nice functionality,
luxury and comfort of the Power Seats, then the Adaptive Sport seats might be
right for you. They combine all of the benefits of two prior seats plus they add
inflatable bolster control. But it doesn't stop there.
The Adaptive Sport Seats also have electronic adaptability so you don't have to
spend weeks trying to fine tune the seat settings. Just jump in, drive the
car and the adaptive system will figure out the most comfortable and
effective bolster and lumbar settings for you.
These seats are the perfect
solution for the Cayman enthusiasts that wants the best of all worlds, comfort,
luxury and sport. But be prepared to pay, these seats are not cheap.
In 2006, this option was one of the most expensive options on the list.
Sport Bucket Seats
Option Code: --- /
2012 Price: $2,990 or $5,350 w/full leather
In 2011 a fourth seat option became available in Caymans. The Sport Bucket
Seats were intended to be a pure sport seat. They are made of beautiful
lightweight materials including fiberglass and carbon fiber, shaving 26 lbs out
of a Cayman. They also provide cut outs for racing harnesses. A
driver truly sits in these seats, in the same way a fighter pilot sits in an
aircraft seat. They are not the easiest to get in and out of and they provide
only one adjustment, a mechanical for/aft position adjustment. Clearly
these seats won't be right for everyone, but for the hard core track enthusiast
it just doesn't get any better than this. In usual Porsche fashion of
'less is more', be prepared to spend big bucks on these seats if you want them,
but don't miss the value proposition.
Most track junkies (and I use that term lovingly)
will end up spending $5,000 - $10,000 on a set of aftermarket racing seats.
Those seats generally don't provide the same comfort and fit and finish that
you'll find in the genuine Porsche Sport Buckets. More importantly, I don't know
of a single racing seat that contains side impact air bags. The Porsche
Sport buckets do, which means you'll be safer and you won't need to have your
air bag system reprogrammed to resolve the air bag system failure that you'll
get with aftermarket seats. If you see a lot of track time in your future,
you'd be crazy not to seriously consider these seats at time of purchase.
Important Note: These are big boy seats.
They are NOT compatible with child seat restraints and are not recommended when
a child safety seat is required.
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Sport Chrono Package
Sport Chrono
Package (SC)
By Michael Souza, November 2011
Like PASM,
the truth about the Sport Chrono Package has eluded many automotive journalist,
many of whom have suggested that this feature is nothing more than an expensive stop
watch. Sport Chrono is much, much more than a watch.
True,
the Sport Chrono package does include
an analog stopwatch mounted in the center of the dash top. That stopwatch
can be used to time anything, including lap times. A digital read out of
the clock's results can be read in the instrument cluster, which is much easier
to read and provides resolution down to 1/100th of a second. This
stopwatch is one of the benefits of the Sport Chrono package, but it's probably
the least significant benefit.
Like PASM,
Sport Chrono provides a Sport button that lets you have your cake and eat it too. With the
Sport Chrono Sport Mode off, a Cayman is calm and gentle, easy to drive and forgiving.
Turn the Sport Mode on and many characteristics of the car take on an
aggressive and sporty feel. Among the changes are (depending on equipment):
Improved Throttle Response
Increased PSM Intervention
Limits
The Soft Rev Limiter is
replaced with a Hard Rev Limiter proving full power to redline
PASM changes to its Sport Mode
(if equipped)
TipTronic S or PDK switch to
sporty shifting maps (if equipped)
Porsche Sport Exhaust is changed to
its Sport Mode (if equipped)
A rev limiter is a safety device that cuts fuel, ignition or both at a specified
RPM to prevent an engine from continuing to rev beyond safe mechanical limits. Because hitting a hard rev limiter can be uncomfortable for the driver
and hard on the car, Caymans come with a 'Soft Rev Limiter'. A Soft Rev
Limiter reduces power output by adjusting ignition timing as the engine
approaches the cut off RPM. As the ignition timing is retarded and power drops off,
the resulting feel of power loss signals the driver that it's time to shift.
If a driver ignores this, ignition timing is retarded further until the rev
limit is reached, at which point the resulting cut off is much 'softer' because
the engine is not being cycled on and off between full power and no power.
A Hard Rev Limiter does nothing until the engine reaches the predefined engine
speed, at which point fuel and ignition are shut off. This can be very abrupt
and hard on the power train as the engine cycles on and off, but this type of rev limiter will provide
the most power and acceleration, all the way
to redline. This is how the rev limiter behaves when SC Sport
mode is selected.
Sport Chrono Plus Package:
Caymans equipped with the optional Porsche Communication Management (PCM) can be equipped with
the "Sport Chrono Plus Package". This is the same as the Sport Chrono package shown above
plus extra electronic integration with the PCM display. That integration allows users
to record, store and review lap times for each individual driver.
Sport Plus Mode:
Not to
be confused with the Sport Chrono Plus Package, Sport Plus mode
is an extra Sport Chrono mode available only on Caymans that are equipped with Sport Chrono and PDK.
When Sport Plus mode is selected, the PDK transmission will deliver the following
enhancements:
1st Gear is always used from a stop
7th Gear will NOT be selected
at any time
Upshifts are not delivered
until 7,300 RPM
Downshifts are delivered at 4,500 RPM
This shift strategy provides
lightning fast
full performance shifting that would be impossible to duplicate with any other technology.
This is ideal for performance or track driving. Set the
Sport Plus Mode, forget about shifting and focus on your turn in and braking points.
Drawbacks:
Using the Sport Chrono sport mode
increases your chances of hitting the rev limiter as the hard rev limiter gives
no warning that you are reaching the top of the rev range.
Details:
Sport Chrono Package
Option Code: 639
Price: $920 (2006-2008),
$960 (2009-up)
Sport Chrono Plus Package
Option Code: 640
Price: $920 (2006-2008),
$960 (2009-up)
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)
By Michael Souza, November 2011
TPMS is an electronic system that can report
real time individual tire pressures to the driver of a Cayman. It will
also provide a warning in the instrument cluster if a tire's pressure falls
below a safe threshold.
TPMS communicates the exact pressure of each
tire and/or their deviation from ideal pressure. This does away with the
need for regular air pressure checks at the service station, which often prove
highly inconvenient.
Additionally, having the
correct air pressure reduces tire wear (a deficiency in pressure of 0.3 bar
(4.4psi) and can reduce the service life of tires by up to 25%). Driving on under
inflated tires also results in increased fuel consumption.
TPMS is a valuable safety device that can be of great value when you're driving
around on expensive wheels and tires with no spare tire or jack.
Accuracy:
Many have suggested that
TPMS is not as accurate as a good quality hand held tire gauge. This is
normal because TPMS delivers an absolute pressure instead of a relative
pressure, which can fluctuate with atmospheric conditions. When using a tire
pressure gauge to measure ambient pressure, environmental conditions can
introduce up to a 15% variability in tire pressure due to temperature and
altitude variations. TPMS also adds correction based on
temperature. Therefore, TPMS readings may be significantly different
from those delivered by a hand held tire pressure gauges.
TPMS is not intended to be a replacement of your
hand held tire pressure gauge. It's intended to be a safety device that
can alert you of a dangerous drop in tire pressure.
Drawbacks:
Using tire pressures outside of
those recommended by Porsche may deliver a 'Flat Tire' warning. For
example, if a Cayman is used on the track it will be necessary to release about
8 psi from each tire to reach the proper tire pressures when hot. In this
situation, the TPMS will be very unhappy and will report a false flat tire.
There are different versions of TPMS and the radio
frequencies used by the system vary from country to country. When installing
TPMS sensors into your wheels, it is very important that you
select sensors that are compatible with your vehicle.
The TPMS system cannot be disabled.
Details:
Option Code: 482
Price: $590 option in 2006,
Standard equipment from 2007 up on all US Caymans.
More Information:
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
Tourist Delivery
Tourist Delivery (aka European Delivery)
by Michael Souza, November 2011
Description:
Tourist Delivery is an option that allows
Porsche buyers
to take delivery of their new Porsche at the Porsche Factory in Zuffenhausen
Germany and then drive it around Europe before it's sent to its new home country.
The Tourist Delivery process is a bit complex. Educating
yourself on it can eliminate many surprises and make the experience more
enjoyable.
Benefits:
Imagine
visiting the Porsche Museum, then crossing the
street to pick up your new Porsche. Imagine driving your new Porsche on
the Autobahn, through the Swiss or Italian Alps, or on the world famous
Nürburgring race track. Imagine showing your car to your friends back home
and being able to say that you picked it up at the factory in Germany and drove
it at 150 mile per hour legally.
Incredible scenic roads, highways with no speed
limits, the world famous race tracks, European food and drink and a vacation in
which you get to know and drive your new Porsche. It doesn't get much
better than that. Tourist Delivery will be the trip of a lifetime for most
Porsche enthusiasts. There is no better way to explore Europe than in your
own brand new Porsche.
Drawbacks:
There will be lots of waiting, a hefty VAT deposit, break in on
the autobahn and holes in your front bumper. (To drive your car in Europe you
will need to have two license plates on your car. There is no way around
this. Your front bumper WILL be drilled.)
What's Included in Tourist Delivery:
Transport of your car from the factory in Uusikaupunki
Finland to the Factory in Zuffenhausen Germany (2006 - 2010)
Preparation of your car for street use in
Europe
Temporary European registration and license
plates (yours to keep as souvenirs after your trip)
Appropriate Insurance Coverage for your
vehicle during your trip (16 days included - US insurance is void in the EU)
Legally required First Aid Kit and Emergency
Triangles (yours to keep)
Lunch passes for 2 to Porsche's Executive
Dining Lounge (5 star dining room)
Transport of you car from Zuffenhausen to
your home dealership
One night hotel accommodation in
Stuttgart. There are 3 different hotels to choose from, all first class..
Reimbursement for your transportation
between the hotel and the factory.
A full tank of gasoline. (That's a value of
>$120 in Germany)
Important Considerations:
If you want to take advantage of tourist
delivery, there are several things to consider:
You can only request Tourist Delivery on a
purchased vehicle. This option is not available on leased vehicle.
You will need to order your vehicle several
months (at least 3) before your desired delivery date.
Your car must be paid for (either by cash or
auto loan) 45 days before your delivery date.
You will need to post a refundable $10,000
deposit to cover the German VAT tax.
Your car will take 6-8 weeks to make it's
journey home. Be prepared for an excruciating wait.
Preparation for Tourist Delivery:
Approximately one month before your delivery
date you will receive a tourist delivery package. This will contain a
welcome letter explaining the process, a voucher for a nights stay in one
of three different hotels, a map of the Stuttgart area, a brochure about the
Factory Tour and the Porsche Museum.
It's important to have a cell phone on a
trip like this. Call your cell service provider before your trip to
inquire about your phone's ability to work in Europe and any applicable
international calling fees or needed international plans. If your cell phone doesn't work in Europe,
you can rent one that does.
There are a lot of insects in the German
country side. It would be a real good idea to come prepared. Bring
some speed shine, windshield cleaner, bug remover, car wash and some
micro fiber towels with you.
The
Steigneberger Graf Zeppelin (one of the hotels you can choose) is a 5
start hotel that is located right above a train station that provides
convenient transport to/from the airport. There is also a very nice city
center with lots of nice shops and good food within walking distance.
Will you be bringing a portable navigation
device? If so, make sure you have European Maps loaded into it.
Call your credit card company and let them
know you will be making charges in Europe. Otherwise, they may flag your
unusual activity as fraud and shut your card down. Program their
international customer service phone number into your phone just in case you
need it (not the 1-800 number, that won't work from Europe).
Once you're in Germany:
Make sure you program the phone number for
Porsche Road Side Assistance into your telephone before you leave the factory. Cars
can break, and if yours does you will be very happy that you prepared for it.
You will want to switch your speedometer to
km/h. You can learn how to do this on page 94 & 134-135 of the
2007
Owners Manual.
Pay attention to German speed limit signs.
When there is a speed limit, the Germans take it very seriously. There
are many photo radar cameras around the country and they will ticket you for
as little as 5 km/h over the limit. Passing on the right is strictly
prohibited. Never do this.
Gas stations are not nearly as plentiful in
Germany as they are in the U.S.A.. If you're low on gas and you see a
gas station, fuel up. You can literally drive 30 miles before you see
another one.
Pay attention at the fuel pumps.
Leaded fuel is still available in Europe and if you put it into your car
Porsche will not allow it to leave the country until the car has been repaired
at your expense.
There is a
Coin Operated Self Wash just 2 blocks away from the factory where you can
wash your car before your return it ('Gottfried Keller Strasse'
Longitude:9.15945E / Latitude:48.83512 N).
Your car will have a long journey home, and
although the chances of it being damaged are very small, if it is damaged it
will be hard to determine if you caused it or if they did. Once you're
back in the Porsche parking lot, completely unload your car, take pictures of
your odometer showing mileage and time and take a wide angle shot of the
surrounding area so there is no disputing when and where you took the
pictures. Then take pictures of every exterior panel, the front spoiler
lips, your seats, your glove box opened (so you can see the contents), your
cargo net, your empty trunk and hatch, your wheels, etc....
Questions and Answers:
Do I have to buy my car in Germany if I want
to do tourist delivery?
No. You buy your car at your local
dealership and request this option. This is where you will pick up your
car after tourist delivery, and this will be your dealership for support and
service.
Will I save money by taking advantage of
Tourist Delivery?
No. Contrary to popular belief, Porsche
Tourist Delivery actually costs more money. $2,250 more to be exact.
I'm an ace negotiator.
What kind of discount can I expect to negotiate on tourist delivery.
Don't take it personal, but Porsche will NOT
discount the tourist delivery option by even one dollar. You may be able
to get a discount on your car and every other option, but be prepared to pay
full price for this one.
Does Porsche provide a
discount on airfare?
Kind of. They have
partnered with Lufthansa to get you a regular coach fare with no restrictions.
But if you shop around you are likely to find a much better price on a
restricted ticket from your favorite airline. Ask your sales specialist
for more information.
Why do I have to post a $10,000 deposit?
What is a VAT?
In Germany, cars are not subject to normal
sales tax. They are subject to a Value Added Tax (VAT). That's
similar to a sales tax, but instead of a simple percentage, there are different
tiers of tax based on a car's value. If you bought a Cayman in Germany you
would need to pay this tax and it would be about $10,000. If your car
doesn't leave Germany, Porsche will have to pay this tax as if you bought the
car there. For this reason Porsche insists that you provide a security
deposit. Once your car clears customs in the United States (or your home
country), the deposit is refunded (with a small amount of interest).
When will I get my VAT
deposit back?
Typically within 30 days of your car's arrival
in the USA.
I don't have an international drivers
license. Can I drive in Europe?
Yes, the European Union recognizes most
driver's license as valid permission to drive in Europe.
I can't speak German.
How will I communicate with people in Germany?
English is a required study from grade 6 to 13
in Germany. Almost all Germans can speak fluent English and are happy to
try.
I want to check out of my hotel room on the
day of my delivery. Can I bring my luggage to the factory?
Yes. There is a locker room in the
New Car Delivery Area with lockers of various sizes. You can store your bags
here while taking the
factory tour, visiting the museum, eating
lunch and/or taking delivery of your car. Bring a couple of One Euro Coins
with you and ask the
receptionists if they'd show you to the locker room.
You will need to insert a coin into the back of the locking mechanism.
This will allow you to lock the locker and take the key. When you return the key
to the locker, you will get your coin back.
My wife loves to shop.
Can we leave her shopping spree acquisitions in our car so we don't have to take
them on the plane?
Only if you never want to see them again.
The port will remove all items that do not belong in the car because all items
entering the country need to be declared through customs. (They even took
my CD out of the radio.)
I was hoping to drive
to Italy and tour the country but I only have 2 weeks. Do I need to take
my car all the way back to Zuffenhausen when I'm done?
No. There are many drop off
points around Europe where you can leave your car, for an additional fee of
course.
Take a look at the
Alternative
Drop Off Point list.
I really don't want holes in
my bumper. Can I provide Porsche with a tow hook mounted license plate
holder?
No. They can not and will not
mount any accessory onto a vehicle unless it is TÜV certified.
Once back home I don't
plan to use a front license plate. I really don't want to see those holes in my
bumper. Do I have any other options?
Yes. Bumper plugs cost only $24.95.
They look a lot better than holes and if anyone ever says, "What are those", you
will be invited to tell them all about your adventure and how you drove your car
in Germany where a front license plate is required.
Speaking of license
plates, I saw a picture of those cool little European plates that they put on
the cars over there. Is there any way I can take them home as souvenirs?
You're in luck. The
license plates are yours to
keep, but they must remain on your car until it clears customs.
Make sure
that your salesperson knows that you will be expecting your Tourist
Delivery license plates when you pick up your car.
I'd love to tour the
Alps, but I have no idea where to start. Any suggestions?
Buy the book titled 'Motorcycle Journeys
Through the Alps and Corsica' by John Herman. It contains lots of great
suggestions for great drives through the Alps (Southern Germany, Switzerland,
Italy, France).
You mentioned that they will give me
emergency triangles and a first aid kit. Why?
It's a legal requirement in Germany
that all cars contain these items. In European Porsches, there are holders
on top of the tool kit that hold the emergency triangles. If you'd like to
store your triangles this way, you can order the following parts from one of our
sponsors for under $10. (997.551.801.00.02A , 997.551.802.00.02A ,
999.073.362.09 x 2) (Special thanks to
S.3G for sharing this
info.)
Details:
Option Code: TD5
Price: $2,250 (2007)
Conflicts or Requirements:
Purchased Car, Prepaid VAT Deposit
More Information:
Available Files:
Sales & Conditions
Acknowledgement
of Terms
Alternate Drop
Off Locations
*Photographs and Videos property of Porsche AG, used under license by the PCA Cayman
Register.
