Porsche Cayman User Handbook Manual page 52

Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM).
The optional PASM is an electronic
damping control system.
PASM actively and continuously
regulates the damping force
for each wheel according to the
road conditions and driving
style. In addition, the suspension
is lowered by 10 mm.
The driver can select between
two different modes: 'Normal'
which is a blend of performance
and comfort, and 'Sport'
where the setup is much firmer.
Depending on the mode selected,
therefore, PASM is sportier
or more comfortable than the
standard chassis. The PASM
control unit evaluates the driving
conditions and modifies the
damping force on each of
the wheels in accordance with
the selected mode.
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Sensors monitor the movement
of the vehicle body, for example,
under heavy acceleration and
braking or on uneven roads. The
control unit tunes the dampers
to the optimum hardness for the
selected mode to reduce roll and
pitch still further and to increase
contact between each individual
wheel and the road.
In 'Sport' mode, the suspension
is set to a harder damper rating.
On uneven roads, PASM immedi-
ately switches to a softer rating
within the 'Sport' setup range,
thereby improving contact
between the wheels and the road.
When the road surface improves,
PASM automatically reverts
to the original, harder rating.
If 'Normal' mode is selected and
the driver's style becomes more
assertive, PASM automatically
switches to a harder rating
within the 'Normal' setup range.
Damping becomes harder, and
driving stability and road safety
are increased.
Mechanically locking rear
differential.
Are you a fan of sporty driving? In
your spare time, do you enjoy the
occasional outing on the racetrack?
Then you shouldn't do without the
optional mechanically locking rear
differential available in conjunction
with 18-inch or 19-inch wheels.
It further enhances the traction of
the driven rear wheels on uneven
roads and when accelerating out of
tight bends, and the damping of
load-change reactions during
fast cornering is reduced. Road
holding at the limits of perform-
ance is even more impressive. The
car holds its course better and so
PSM intervenes less often.
In other words, sheer driving
pleasure and faster lap times.