Porsche will invest around 150 million euros in a long-term strategic site plan for its R&D centre in Weissach. The money will go to building a high-tech wind tunnel, design centre and an electronics integration centre, among other facilities. The sports car maker also plans to recruit 100 more engineers.

“The new system will help us to maintain Porsche’s top position in the fields of aerodynamics and design and to further extend our lead. Outstanding design with optimal aerodynamic efficiency have always been classic Porsche strongholds,” says Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche board member for R&D.

The wind tunnel will have direct access from the adjacent design studio, and separate entrances for the discrete completion of customer development projects, according to Porsche.

The new studio will offer more space for designers, who are involved from the earliest concept phase of the vehicle development process. Sub-areas which were previously scattered around Porsche’s Weissach site can now be grouped in the future electronics integration centre.

“This spatial proximity is a major advantage. The close interaction of our suppliers’ various electrical system/electronics experts and colleagues from related specialist fields during development will contribute significantly to the success of our work, particularly in the case of electronics, which now play a role in virtually every vehicle component,” Dürheimer explains.

Porsche’s reveal at the LA show is the new Cayman R, which is lighter and more powerful than the Cayman S by 55 kg and 10 hp respectively. The R was “designed for spectacular road behaviour” with a specially adapted sports chassis, providing “an even more precise driving experience than the Cayman S”, which is the already the best driving Porsche to some.

The 3.4-litre flat six gains 10 horses to make 330 hp (torque remains at 370 Nm). With a six-speed manual, 0-100 km/h is achieved in 5.0 seconds flat, while the seven-speed PDK twin-clutch ‘box is faster by 0.1 sec. The optional Sport Chrono package takes the time further down to 4.7 seconds. Top speed is 282 km/h for the manual or 280 km/h with PDK. The car without the clutch pedal is rather frugal with 9.3 l/100 km combined consumption.

For comparison, the Cayman S does the century sprint in 5.2 (manual) and 5.1 seconds (PDK) while top speed is 277 km/h for the stick shift and 275 km/h for the PDK model.

The main aim of the Cayman R was to improve performance, driving dynamics and agility through weight reduction. At just 1,295 kg, the R’s improved power-to-weight ratio stands at 3.9 kg per horsepower (4kg/hp for PDK). Savings were achieved through the use of lightweight components and doing without convenience equipment (air con, stereo). The Cayman flagship also comes with the lightest 19″ wheels Porsche has. The complete rim set weighs less than 40 kg.

The Cayman R sits 20 mm lower than the S and comes with an LSD as standard. The fuel tank is also smaller (by 10 litres) at 54 litres. To spot a Cayman R, look for the fixed rear spoiler, black-framed headlights, black wing mirrors and the ‘Porsche’ decals on the side (in contrasting black or silver, depending on the body colour). The ‘Peridot’ colour of this car is exclusive to the R.

It will go on sale from February 2011. Gallery after the jump.
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Joining the 911 Carrera GTS on the Paris show debut list is this, the Porsche 911 Speedster. Paying homage to the first Porsche model that bore the Speedster name – the 356 Speedster from 1953 – the production run for this new model is limited to 356 units.

The Speedster idea came from Porsche Exclusive, the division specialising in individualisation and small series runs, and this car heralds its 25th anniversary that will be celebrated next year. PE’s previous creation was the 911 Sport Classic from 2009.

The Speedster differs from the standard 911 by having a 60 mm lower ride height, more raked windscreen, flat contour of the manual hood and the characteristic double-bubble hardcover for the soft top. Like the Carrera GTS, the RWD Speedster gets the 44 mm wider rear end of the 4WD models. Porsche says that it has further improved the rollover protection system especially for this model.

Like the GTS, Speedster is powered by a 3.8-litre flat six with 408 hp and 420 Nm, 23 hp more than a Carrera S but no less efficient. 0-100 km/h is done in 4.6 seconds. The seven-speed PDK gearbox is in charge of transmitting power to the rear axle (fitted with a standard differential lock). Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are standard.

The Speedster features almost all optional equipment in the 911 series and has exclusive black smooth finish leather and exterior colour painted details. These include checkerboard patterns on the seat centre with leather side bolsters in exterior colour. By the way, the exclusive colour for the Speedster is “Pure Blue” as shown here (white is a no cost option, but why?), which contrasts with the tinted front lights, black headlight rings and windscreen surround. There are also special front/rear aprons and specific sideskirts.

More pics after the jump.
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Yes, it’s yet another 911 variant with the same old looks, but everyone still dreams of a Porsche, no? Anyway, this is the 911 Carrera GTS that will be shown for the first time in Paris. Available as a coupe or cabriolet, the GTS sits between the Carrera S and the GT3. Porsche says that its latest consumes no more fuel than the Carrera S although it gets 23 extra horses.

Which makes it a total of 408 hp from the 3.8-litre flat-six engine, not too far from the GT3′s 435 hp. Attention was paid to the intake and exhaust functions of the engine, and a special resonance intake manifold featuring six vacuum-controlled tuning flaps switch between power and torque-optimized geometry – compared to only one tuning flap in the Carrera S.

This allows for increased mid range torque. The max figure of 420 Nm is unchanged, but is available at 4,200 rpm, 200 rpm earlier than in the S. A sport exhaust system with two dual-tipped pipes (outer shells painted black with polished inner tubes) is standard.

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The GTS comes standard with a six-speed manual while the seven-speed PDK is an option. Compared to the Carrera S, top speed for the manual Coupe rises slightly to 306 km/h. Acceleration from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) is 4.0 seconds for the GTS Coupe with PDK and Sport Chrono Package Plus.

Looks wise, the GTS combines the 44 mm wider Carrera 4 body of the AWD models (including wider rear track and wheels) with rear-wheel drive. The GTS also runs on 19-inch centre-mount RS Spyder wheels. Other visual cues include the SportDesign front apron with black spoiler edge, special sideskirts and the Carrera GTS logotype on doors and rear lid. Compared to the Carrera S, the GTS’ cabin is rich in alcantara.