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Porsche Cayman R vs BMW 1 M Coupe video review

Which is the best new sports car of 2011? Forget your pricey McLaren MP4-12Cs and Lamborghini Aventadors, and think about the other end of the spectrum. In the new November 2011 issue of CAR Magazine (on sale now) we’ve pitted the new Mini Coupe JCW against eight competitors. On road and on track the new Brit takes on the VW Golf GTI Edition 35 and the Renault Megane 265 Trophy, Audi's new RS3, the BMW 1-series M Coupe, a Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nürburgring, Citroen's ace DS3 Racing, plus the Porsche Cayman R and Nissan's 370Z GT Edition. If you've got between £20-50k to spend on a fun drive, don't miss this!
 
You can read the full 16-page story in the new issue of CAR, and watch the video below for a taster of the fun as we put the Porsche Cayman R up against the BMW 1-series M Coupe. Deputy editor Ben Barry and road test editor Ben Pulman put the two head-to-head around Anglesey race track.
 

 
Elsewhere in the new issue of CAR we shoot the breeze with F1's Bruno Senna, drive the new open-top Ferrari 458 Spider and Mercedes SLS Roadster, and visit the old haunts of Steve McQueen in Jaguar's sublime new XKR-S. Georg Kacher finds out if the new Citroen DS5 can rightfully claim that DS badge, Anthony ffrench-Constant tests the new Porsche Panamera diesel against the Audi A8, Jaguar XJ and Mercedes CLS, while Ben Oliver hangs out at Pebble Beach for an insider's view of the US's best automotive garden party. Plus all the month's news, an interview with Porsche's design boss, an x-ray look inside Seb Vettel's championship-winning F1 car and the 10 most unlikely race cars of all time.

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Porsche Cayman R vs BMW 1 M Coupe video review

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Ben Barry

Ben Barry says

RE: Porsche Cayman R vs BMW 1 M Coupe video review

 Re: Stormypetrol. The straight six mistake was just that - a simple slip of the tongue, not a misunderstanding of Porsche's engineering principles.

25 October 2011 13:15

 

stormypetrol

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stormypetrol says

RE: Porsche Cayman R vs BMW 1-series M Coupe (2011) CAR video review

 For Ben Pulman, re "other Ben's mistake":

That kind of slip (the notorious 'straight six porsche engine') reveals a lack of depth of experience with cars of all kinds that may be due to poor Ben's tender age. Before CAR loses all credibility, bring back men like LJKS and 'Mr Editor Blain', who made the magazine great! Of course your Mr Editor Greene does a great job. Gavin old chap, please, hire some writers who are are not sweaty-palmed neophytes!  The bloke who wrote about the necessity of sitting at least once in the original Fial Multipla was on the right track. If you will allow me to be based in SW France near the Mediterranean, I will volunteer... (And yes, I drive a much-appreciated 2006 Cayman S, manual of course, at the speeds it demands.)  

22 October 2011 07:58

 

ga41

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ga41 says

RE: Porsche Cayman R vs BMW 1-series M Coupe (2011) CAR video review

While my comment was originally about the video posted i'd like to say that CAR's Performance Car of the Year has always been one of my favorite segments of the magazine. It's not simply about comparing figures, it's about how much fun a sporty car can be and how it makes you feel, so while a GT3 and a Renaultsport Clio are as far apart as you can get they are still comparable in my opinion and definitely make for excellent reading!

 

Now to the video at hand, i was watching it with my headphones on and the only thing i could think of was "damn I want to drive those things". As some may know i own (and reguarly drive in anger) a Z4 M Coupe and out of all the current M models the only new one i would consider owning would be a 1M. OK the engine is a bit of a let down for me as i have a thing for naturally aspirated screamers but I love the ethos of it. No electronic suspension or trick dual clutch transmission. Just a simple engine front, drive to the rear chassis. Which is why i also love the Cayman R. Decisions, decisions.

21 October 2011 10:12

 

JohnnyD

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JohnnyD says

RE: Porsche Cayman R vs BMW 1-series M Coupe (2011) CAR video review

I can't afford either. (Although I dream that in a few years time a nice used example might appear on my driveway!) Therefore I subscribe to Car to impart the flavour and experince of driving these cars the way they were designed to be driven.

 

9 and half times out of 10, they do just that!! (Could have given a 10 out of 10 but then I'd come across as a slavish fanboy!)

 

20 October 2011 13:30

 

carmobster

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carmobster says

RE: Porsche Cayman R vs BMW 1-series M Coupe (2011) CAR video review

@Dave & Robin; It's such a simple "black & white" way of thinking. People who read car magazines don't care about prices or the size of the boot. What we love is cars and the way they make us feel.

If I was thinking A to B any new car would be pointless, just by a used volvo estate and your fine.

 

But we love cars, comparing sportscars of all prices is one of the best things because they aspire to every carnut. whether they can afford it or not. Sometimes the big surprise, and this is the fun, is when the cheapest sportscar is actually the most fun, the one that gives you the best feeling.

When Car magazine compared these sports cars when I was a kid I was glued on the toilet seat

Today I am lucky enough to afford the major league sports cars.

 

But if you can't, it don't matter. It's about that smile on your face. If you don't get that, it's fine but don't go crying when you don't and leave these stupid comments.

 

 

20 October 2011 11:48

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