Unpopular opinion: Porsche can make a much better, more competent version of the Cayman/Boxster without it decreasing 911 sales. Here's how.
First, give proper it a double wishbone/multi link suspension mainly for momentum preservation around turns. Driving an enthusiast car as such is primarily about escaping perceived danger and endurance racing rules to whatever extent you want, which is low consumption/emissions driving to minimize need for pitstops for fuel, tires, etc. Lightweight means a less bumpy ride yet the strong agility and stiffer system of a heavier car without all of the extra complicated stuff in the 992 911 that would waste your time at the repair shop. Give it more body roll and a non power steering version (akin to the Alfa 4C) without heaviness, allowing for a better feel for when grip is at its limit; a more fun, exhilarating driving experience without the car being impossible for daily use.
Additionally, higher grip tires last less long. I remember automotive youtuber/F1 race driver Misha Choudarin claiming that a Toyota GR 86 with no power upgrade, only handling and exhaust sound mods, felt almost as quick as the recent 992 GT3 around turns. He claims that a modified GR 86 without power upgrade wasn't much slower around a turn as the previous 991 GT3. And the tires certainly were nowhere near as fat as on GT3.
Next, a linear decrease in the 0-60 acceleration time and mph is a exponential increase in perceived pushing force, but after maybe 5 quick accelerations will the driver realize that the car is easy to control from danger, such as spontaneous traction loss. The perceived danger will decrease quickly, so it may not feel as exciting. But in the process of gaining respect from fellow enthusiasts for driving a car perceived as superior, quick acceleration time is impressive to the less experienced enthusiast, which is nearly the entire audience which customer is trying to gain respect from.
In addition to the Cayman, there also ought to be a more budget-friendly Volkswagen version of the car, though it largely will retain the Cayman's styling and enthusiast spirit. It will have a naturally aspirated engine, and 0 to 60 mile per hour can happen in 5 seconds instead of 2.5 seconds that the flat 6 can achieve by turbocharging. Perhaps (only for the VW version), the engine should be a 2.0L inline 3, allowing for the lightest possible weight and a greater appreciation of sound between low and high RPM, with a Gordon Murray T50 style sound.
The flat 6 does not sound high pitched enough, and the inline 3 rpm can be better, which replaces the 1000 RPM decrease of sound where sound correlates with power linearly. If the power per RPM decreases 10%, it's not linear enough so it should not exist, except for the Cayman, giving a more dramatic driving experience without the lack of linear acceleration increase, which can be a negative for a more experienced driving enthusiast. A large difference between low rpm and high rpm can be created by exhaust flowing pressure more so through a base heaviness creating path at a low rpm, then pitch increase path at high rpm, with echos combining the engine sounds. Additionally, the sound of the VW version should be kept a little more raspy and unpolished to encourage more casual buyers toward the Porsche version.
Let's talk about Noise Vibration Harshness. This is only suppressed enough for it to not decrease the cognitive load after 90 mph driving for up to 4 hours. This way, perceived speed is maximized and weight is minimized by less anti-Noise Vibration Harshness materials, without any serious decrease to quality of life for casual drivers. Factoring in the reality that most drivers, even for an enthusiast car, will not be pushing the car to its limits, there should be an emphasis on reducing the general harshness of the driving experience. The noise indicating road conditions is more useful to know when grip is lower, so it should allow some of that level of noise from bumpiness, mirroring percussion instruments.
For models equipped with the manual transmission (which ought to be most), every time one shifts to a gear, let there be a "ping noise" of hollow metal like metal tapping on some of new Rolls Royce metal switches. Quiet, yet higher-pitched pings for higher gears, permitting the driver to be able to distinctively hear what gear one is in, both for auto/DCT and manual versions.
In marketing this new car, low-emissions driving as endurance racing-esque driving, and allowing momentum preservation instead of relying more on regenerative braking, the car be pitches as improving energy efficiency and longevity of parts for sustainability of large scale materials use rate in the long term. It will use cheaper, easy to replace materials marketed as "affordable sustainable low emissions" materials/systems like plastics and recycled metal. Even the exterior can consist of mostly easy-to-replace plastics.
The overall "beauty" of a car can generally be defined as the sum of its functionality and simplicity in its design, with a tertiary factor being svelte, timeless proportions, allowing for a more youthful look akin to the original Porsche 356. The Porsche version of the car will especially hone in on this type of styling compared to the VW which will demonstrate its beauty in extreme simplicity and glorifying functionality. Despite many sports cars adopting a more aggressive design, this new Cayman could appeal to people who like a car with more subdued, even "cute" styling- there's still some demand for these types of cars even today. Not to mention it will eschew a high-tech interior dominated by screens and technology for its own sake. For some buyers, its styling may be the primary reason why they buy this car. There can even be the option to have electric power steering creating a more floaty ride for these types of customers.
This will create an overall nice looking car, but may require open mindedness to truly appreciate. Such as how the Tesla Cybertruck almost looks good in a weird way that many dislike. The Aptera motors coupe and some of the newer Priuses are also good examples. These will be perceived as cheap, aesthetically spartan, and symbolic of efficiency and economy. The VW version can be named something like "Volkswagen Play" or "Volkswagen Up Sport Coupe" (as the Up is already the brand's cheapest, simplest hatchback). Give it faint non bold or bright /dark colors, fewer iridescent colors, etc. Its doors will close with an echo-like sound.
The VW version can feature front lights similar to the new Prius, combining the thin rectangle main headlights synonymous with Genesis (not daytime running light) replacing the circle main headlights and the daytime running light next to it below the top crab-claw one. It should look like a single claw overall, a continuous, unbroken 3 lines per side, where the lower part just so happens to glow brighter because they are the main headlights. It will look like a cheaper car than the Porsche to differentiate the two products, but it would still look good; an efficiency-focused aerodynamic look, 2 silhouettes in 1 car by aero-plastic bubble covering a weight-minimizing shape. The rear end, in contrast, would look more similar to the Cayman.
Alternatively, the front-end of the car could pull off a more "cutesy" look resembling economy cars of the sort (first gen Twingo or Dodge Neon), while the rear looks more utilitarian. The Prius LM racer from GT5 is what I am envisioning for the VW version's overall silhouette.
There will be no leather materials in Volkswagen version, but this will be optional for the Porsche. I'll go as far to say that people over glorify leather in sports cars, despite that its too hot in warm climates and too cold in cold climate; the air conditioning and heater needs to work harder to fix these problems which reduces battery life and requires a heavier battery to reduce battery degradation per energy flow. This will also motivate the driver to remember to heat/cool the car by remote functionality, some time before getting into car if they do not want to wait for heating up or cooling down while in the car. Buyers complain about leather cracking after lot of use, despite that aged leather can be seen as a sign of quality and longevity.
For the VW version, make the wheel size smaller and wider tires for less harshness and bumpy ride, increasing efficiency and more consistent grip. While the VW version will have smaller wheels, the Cayman will have the option for larger ones for customers who prioritize aesthetic over overall driving feel. The car should have a Gordon Murray T50-like seating system, even its posture, allowing efficiency, no adjustable seats, to give reason for older buyers to opt for the Porsche version for Volvo-like electric power seats.
While the new Cayman will stay in its existing price range, the base trim of the VW version should be aggressively priced (around 40k-ish), with a base version almost totally focused on being cheap to run long-term and simple driving fun, with a decreased pour output. The I3 may only produce 150-200hp here but this will be greatly offset by its very low weight and grippy feel (and for some drivers, the lack of power steering). It will mirror the Aptera in spirit.
For the Porsche version, it's crucial to keep in mind that some of these types of customers do not want such exciting high effort high driving reward experience, but also don't want something as large, refined, or expensive as the 911. It is much more about gaining respect from especially non car enthusiasts who mostly care about the car's looks. Of course, there will be a high-performance GT4 (or maybe even GT3) trim which will guarantee quicker race track lap times and quicker acceleration than its predecessor. Quicker track time and acceleration quickness excitement still appeals to some less experienced driving enthusiasts. It's sound should be more base heavy, lower pitch lower harshness, for an overall relaxing drivetrain sound. A bit more harshness in the Volkswagen version will be appreciated for being exciting by purists, while being felt as harsh by more everyday drivers. More pronounced steering tilt during turning, braking, accelerating for dramatic, old-school feel in the Volkswagen version, while the Porsche version is more refined in general.
I know this may be TLDR and my ideas are still a work in progress but I'd like to know if this is a viable option.
