Porsche’s new 911 Speedster premiers in Paris

Porsche just revealed its plan to launch a fourth edition of its 911 Speedster at the Paris Motor Show this October. The car will be produced very exclusively as a small limited series of 356 cars. The number 356 is a homage to the first Porsche model named Speedster, the 356 Speedster.

History

In 1953, the Speedster series was launched with a puristic sports car based on the Porsche 356, which had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic side windows, and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen. In 1988, the Speedster based on the 911 Carrera celebrated its revival with an added feature. For the first time, the hood compartment lid had the characteristic double bubbles. In 1993/1994, the next evolutionary stage of the 911 Carrera was ushered in with yet another Speedster.

The new 911 Speedster

The new model differs from the other 911s in various ways: The two-seater has a 60 millimetre lower, more raked windscreen, the flat contour of the sporty-look manual hood and the characteristic double-bubble hardcover for the soft top define the profile of the new 911 Speedster. Moreover, the body of this rear-wheel drive displays a 44 millimetre wider rear.

The 911 Speedster combines the classic features of this type of Porsche sports car with further enhanced performance of the current 911 generation: The 3.8-litre flat six delivers 408 hp (300 kW), 23 hp more in comparison with the 911 Carrera S. The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) is in charge of transmitting power to the rear axle fitted with a standard differential lock. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are standard, too. Porsche also dedicated some time to passenger security and its engineers improved the rollover protection system which is standard in all open-top Porsche cars.

The 911 Speedster features almost all optional equipment of the 911 series and appeals with its hand-finished interior in black leather with numerous exterior colour painted details exclusive to the Speedster. The sporty character is accented by the exterior colour “Pure Blue” that has been developed exclusively for the Speedster. Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White, at no extra cost.

In Germany, the 911 Speedster including country-specific equipment and 19 % VAT is priced at Euro 201,467 and will be launched in December 2010.

The conception of the current Speedster comes from Porsche Exclusive – the company-owned "enhancer" specialising in individualisation of Porsche cars and small series. The 911 Speedster heralds the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive which will be celebrated in 2011.