The LA Auto Show has birthed it’s latest automotive revelation in the form of the 2009 Porsche Cayman.

Porsche is presenting the second generation of the mid-engined Cayman sports coupe at the Los Angeles Motor Show (November 21 – 30)… It is providing not only more power, but also significantly greater fuel efficiency. A further improvement of both fuel economy and performance is guaranteed by the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), the new double-clutch gearbox now available as an option on both the Cayman and Cayman S.

Newly-developed’ boxer’ engines deliver more power on less fuel
The Cayman now has an engine displacing 2.9-litres, which develops 265 bhp (195 kW), an increase by 20 horsepower over the prior 2.7-litre model. The 3.4-litre power unit in the Cayman S now features Direct Fuel Injection, and delivers 320 bhp (235 kW), up by 25 bhp…

An outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 4.2kg/bhp on the Cayman S in particular ensures optimum driving dynamics. For example, the Cayman S with PDK and Launch Control (featured in the optional Sports Chrono Package Plus) accelerates from 0-62mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, setting the benchmark in the range.

For the first time the Cayman is available with a Lights Package featuring bi-xenon headlights, dynamic cornering lights and LED day-time driving lights. Replacing the fog lamps, these light units are made up of four LEDs arranged in round light units like the eyes on dice.

This PDK gearshift principle was first developed by Porsche for motor sport 25 years ago. Porsche works drivers benefiting from this technology were able to accelerate faster than their competitors and keep both hands on the steering wheel while changing gears, thus avoiding even the slightest distraction while shifting.

The seven-speed PDK shifts gears up to 60 per cent faster than a conventional automatic transmission, and naturally, gives the new Cayman models even better performance. And those in search of optimum driving dynamics have the option to combine PDK with Sport Chrono Package Plus, now featuring Launch Control. The option of PDK costs £1,961.

The next generation Porsche Cayman goes on sale in the UK and Ireland from February 21 2009. The Cayman is priced from £36,870 and the Cayman S priced from £45,050. Customers will also be able to explore the dynamic attributes of their car, and develop their own skills behind the wheel, courtesy of a Driving Experience Programme at the new Porsche Driving Experience Centre at Silverstone.

Goldiestt Car on Earth 

This 22-karat gold-plated Boxster goes by the name of Gold Porsche.  There will be limited production of models for sale (nine worldwide). Pricing starts at around 150,000 Euros (around $190,000 U.S.). 

Two-wheel-drive versions of the 2009 Carrera will be the first 911s to get a new dual-clutch automatic, more power, and LED running lights, all of which will help strengthen the car’s position in the face of stiff competition from the likes of the Audi R8, Nissan GT-R, Chevrolet Corvette, and others.

Porsche calls its optional seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox “PDK,” short for Porsche-Doppelkupplung. Although other carmakers have offered dual-clutch transmissions for quite some time, Porsche makes sure to point out its leadership in this concept: “Porsche developed this gearshift principle for racing no less than 25 years ago,” states the press release.” It features two parallel clutches to eliminate any interruption in power delivery and eliminates even the slightest break between gears.”

According to Porsche, the PDK-equipped Carrera S coupe is 0.2 second quicker in the sprint from 0 to 60 mph, which takes a scant 4.3 seconds. Furthermore, a Carrera S with optional launch control (part of the Sport Chrono Plus package) can accelerate an additional 0.2 second quicker, reaching the mark in a hair-mussing 4.1 seconds. Garden-variety 2009 Carrera models will reach 60 mph only 0.2 second behind their S-badged counterparts. The Tiptronic automatic option goes bye-bye, since comparable PDK-equipped cars improve upon Tiptronic 0-to-60-mph times by a whopping 0.7 second.

The transmission isn’t the only thing boosting the updated 911′s performance. Direct fuel injection, a first in the 911 range, helps bump horsepower to 345 hp for the base 3.6-liter flat six (20 hp more than before) and 385 hp for the S’s 3.8-liter boxer (a 30-hp increase). The new Carrera S, Porsche says, will now top out at 188 mph, six hard-earned mph faster than before.

In a sign of the times, Porsche’s Euro-market press release describes the car’s fuel economy before it discusses the engines’ outputs. To that end, direct injection helped lessen the car’s carbon footprint by up to 13 percent, and it’s rated at a combined 24 mpg in the European test cycle.

Subtle changes also grace the skin of the ’09 911, including larger front-bumper intakes and bigger sideview mirrors, while LED driving lights (à la Audi R8), bixenon headlights, and LED taillights are now standard. Swiveling headlamps join the options list, but they’ll surely be pricey, in standard Porsche fashion.

The updated 911 went on sale in September 2008 in North America. U.S. pricing starts at $75,600 (up from $73,500) for the Carrera coupe, $86,200 (up from $83,800) for both the Carrera convertible and the Carrera S coupe, and $96,800 (up from $94,100) for the Carrera S cabriolet.