Porsche announces 911 Speedster

Porsche has continued to extract blood from the 911 stone by announcing a new Speedster model. Some details are bang on; the wheels, the black details in place of chrome and, yes, even that garish blue paintwork. But, is it just me, or does its arse look big in that Speedster outfit?

Never mind that, though, because this 911 Speedster will become an instant collector’s piece. A limited run of just 356 models will see to that. The sharper minds among you will see the relevance of that model count and Porsche reckon this is just the car to pay homage to the near perfection that was the original 1950s 356 Speedster.

Apart from bubble bum the new 911 Speedster gets a familiar 3.8 litre flat six engine tuned to offer a tidy 300kW. A 7 speed PDK transmission is standard fare and the front windscreen features a more aggressive rake, reducing the overall height of the Speedster by 60mm compared to a regular 911.

Sounds brill, I think I’d like one too please. Trouble is, I’ll need mid-500s to secure one. There’s always a catch! More detail after the break.

UPDATE: Also included below is the press release from Porsche UK. It’s pretty much the same as the presser from der fatherland, but it also includes a little tidbit of history on the 356.

Exclusive Small Series Limited to 356 Cars

Fourth Edition of a Sports Car Legend: The New Porsche 911 Speedster

Stuttgart. Very low-slung, very sporty, and very rare: The Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, launches a small edition of a new 911 Speedster. Paying homage to the first Porsche model that bore the name Speedster – the 356 Speedster –, the production run for the new model is limited to 356 cars. The two-seater is significantly different from the other members of the 911 family. In the best tradition, the 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 striking profile of the new 911 Speedster. This makes the body of this rear-wheel drive with its 44 millimetre wider rear stand out even more. The new Porsche 911 Speedster will celebrate its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in early October.

The new 911 Speedster combines the classic features of this type of Porsche sports car with further improved 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. With its average consumption of 10.3 litres/100 km (27.43 mpg imp) (NEDC), the new Speedster is no less efficient than the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet without Powerkit – an effect of Porsche Intelligent Performance. 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. Add to that exemplary protection for driver and passengers in the new 911 Speedster. Especially for this model, the Porsche engineers further improved the rollover protection system which is standard in all open-top Porsche cars.

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, and once again, demonstrates the small-series competence of Porsche Exclusive after the big success of the 911 Sport Classic.

Living up to the Porsche Exclusive standard, the 911 Speedster features almost all optional equipment of the 911 series and its appeal also comes from its meticulously hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather with numerous exterior colour painted details exclusive to the Speedster. These include decorative designs with checkerboard patterns in the seat centre section of the adaptive sports seats reminiscent of a chequered flag, and the leather side bolsters in the exterior colour.

The sporty flavour is further enhanced by the exterior colour “Pure Blue” that has been developed exclusively for the Speedster, providing an intriguing contrast with the tinted front lights, black headlight rings, black windscreen surround and other black decorative designs. Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White, at no extra cost. It also features a special front apron, specific sideskirts and a distinct rear apron.

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.

In Germany, the 911 Speedster including country-specific equipment and 19 % VAT is priced at Euro 201,682 and will be launched in December 2010.

THE 356 LEGEND CONTINUES: THE NEW PORSCHE 911 SPEEDSTER

• Open-roof, two-seater 911 recreates the spirit of the classic Porsche 356 Speedster
• Designed by Porsche Exclusive department and limited to just 356 examples worldwide
• 408 hp flat-six engine drives the rear wheels through seven-speed PDK transmission
• Debut at Paris Salon October 2 – 17: on sale in January 2011 priced from £144,100

The Speedster name is one of the most evocative in the history of Porsche.* First used on the classic 356 model of 1953, the Speedster quickly became synonymous with low-slung, open-top, two-seater Porsche sports cars that attracted free-spirited driving enthusiasts seeking the ultimate ‘wind in the hair’ experience. Now, in celebration of the Speedster legend, Porsche is introducing a new 911 Speedster at the Paris Salon on October 2, and to commemorate its famous ‘50s forebear, the production run is limited to just 356 examples.

Designed and conceived by the Porsche Exclusive department in Stuttgart, the two-seater 911 Speedster is significantly different from the other members of the 911 family. Every Porsche Speedster was traditionally distinguished by its shortened windscreen and sleek tail, and the new 911 likewise features a 60mm lowered and raked windscreen and the characteristic ‘double-bubble’ hardcover for the manual soft top.

The striking profile of the new 911 Speedster is further defined by the use of the Carrera 4 body, the 44 millimetre wider rear stance of which additionally gives powerful visual emphasis to the rear wheel-drive configuration of the car.

Just as the style of the new 911 Speedster features contemporary re-interpretations of classic Porsche Speedster iconography, the characteristic rear-engined chassis features the best from the current 911 generation. The 3.8-litre flat six has been tuned to deliver 408 hp (300 kW), 23 hp more than in the 911 Carrera S. With average fuel consumption of 27.43 mpg (10.3 litres/100 km) (NEDC), the new Speedster uses no more fuel than the standard 911 Carrera S Cabriolet – a consequence of Porsche Intelligent Performance2.

The 911 Speedster features as standard a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) gearbox which transmits power via a limited slip differential to the rear axle, which lends further finesse to the chassis dynamics. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are also standard. Added to this is exemplary protection for the driver and passenger, with the safety roll-over protection system, which is standard in all open-top Porsche cars, being specifically tailored for the unique Speedster design.

The conception of the current Speedster comes from Porsche Exclusive – the department of Porsche that specialises in individualisation of Porsche cars and low volume production. The 911 Speedster heralds the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive which will be celebrated in 2011, and further demonstrates the competence of the in-house technical experts after the recent success of the 911 Sport Classic.

The 911 Speedster has a generous level of equipment as standard and, as is to be expected from the artisans at Porsche Exclusive, its appeal also comes from the meticulously hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather with numerous exterior colour painted details – each one bespoke to the Speedster. These include decorative designs with black and white patterns reminiscent of a chequered flag on the centre sections of the sports seats, and leather side bolsters in the exterior colour.

The sporting flavour is enhanced further by the ‘Pure Blue’ exterior colour that has been developed exclusively for the Speedster, and which provides an intriguing contrast with the tinted front lights, black headlight surrounds, black windscreen border and other black decorative designs. It also features a bespoke front spoiler, specific side-skirts and a distinct rear apron. Porsche fans will also note the colour-coordinated black stone guard ahead of the rear wheels, reminiscent of prior editions of the 911. Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White, at no extra cost.

The new Porsche 911 Speedster will have its global debut at the Paris Salon on October 2 and goes on sale in the UK in January 2011, priced from £144,100.

Fitted to every 911 Speedster is a Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and customers will also be able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

*The Porsche Speedster legend

In 1953, the Speedster series was launched with a pure 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. 1,234 examples were built.

By the time the 356 A was introduced in 1955, the Speedster reputation was firmly established and 2,910 examples were produced.

In 1989, the Speedster celebrated its revival with an edition based on the 911 Carrera 3.2, this time with an added feature; for the first time, the hood compartment lid had the characteristic ‘double bubble’ styling. Initially, a limited run of 171 were produced, but a wide-bodied ‘Turbolook’ version introduced shortly afterwards was sold to 2,103 customers.

In 1992/1993, the next evolutionary stage of the 911 Carrera – the Type 964 – ushered in a further Speedster edition, of which 930 examples were built. A further 15 widebodied ‘Turbolook’ versions were specially commissioned by customers.

Most recently, two examples of the Type 993 911 Speedster have been built to special order.