Rumor has it Porsche will soon unveil a rally variant of the iconic 911 called the Dakar. But while that one keeps running pre-production tests without as much as an official announcement, Vali Motorsports is already offering a similar-looking Cayman in the USA.
The team has refreshed the exterior paint and serviced the 3.4-liter flat-six engine by replacing the bearings and a few exhaust system components. The six-speed manual gearbox was allowed to stay stock, but got a new clutch, an LSD and an auto-blip system to help the Cayman stay fast after downshifts.
Similarly extensive changes awaited the chassis as well, which received suspension and brake system upgrades. 16-inch Braid wheels wrapped in Goodrich tires slotted into flared fenders. Interior additions included a pair of bucket seats with Sabelt safety harnesses.
That’s it for the main modifications. If you were paying attention, you may have noticed that there was no mention of a suspension lift or added skid plates. Vali Motorsports admits there were not on the menu. Granted, those who would want to take their Cayman out for a real rally championship would likely need another round of tuning before it fits the bill. However, there are many more people out there who would be happy to just put it into their garage and maybe take it out to an occasional car show. For that purpose, this Cayman delivers about as much as it should.