Skip to main content

Porsche 911 Speedster

Further evidence of Porsche market saturation: the new Porsche 911 Speedster, announced today ahead of its debut at the 2010 Paris motor show.

Porsche has dabbled with speedsters before, of course. Most notably with the 356 - and Stuttgart's playing homage to that car with the new 2010 911 Speedster.

Only 356 will be built worldwide and you might understand why when you see the £144,100 price tag. UK deliveries start in January 2011.

;
How have they created the 911 Speedster?

By chopping 60mm off the windscreen of a wide-bodied Carrera 4 bodyshell; that stubby window now in place is angled back. There's a manual canvas roof complete with double-bubble hard top.

It's not just a Californian poser, insists Porsche. The Speedster comes with a limited slip diff and an engine developing some 20bhp more than standard.

So how quick is the new 911 Speedster?

It'll be plenty fast enough. The 3.8-litre flat six from the regular Carrera S develops a stronger 402bhp and 310lb ft - enough for 0-62mph in 4.6sec and 190mph. Should owners care, it'll average a creditable 27mpg and spew out 242g/km of CO2 (figures enabled by the rangey seven-speed PDK twin-clutch transmission; no manual is offered).

The Speedster was designed by bespoke wing Porsche Exclusive, which celebrates its silver anniversary this year.

Special editions galore... Is Porsche turning into Aston Martin?

After last week's 911 GTS, it might appear so. But there's a band of collectors out there who'll snap up every last Speedster.

And who knows? Weighing in at 1540kg and rear-drive only, it'll probably be a hoot to drive. 

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

KTM X-Bow Superlight

The extensive use of bare carbon fibre has kept the weight to a minimum The KTM X-Bow Superlight is one of the variants of the KTM X-Bow model range. As the name suggests the Superlight is the lightest model in the range - but not by much, the base model KTM X-Bow is just 5 kg (11 lbs) heavier. Although the Superlight is a full 40 kg (88 lbs) lighter than the GT4 version. The weight reductions to the KTM X-Bow Superlight have been made possible through the extensive use of carbon fibre. The monocoque structure with integrated crash protection is composed entirely of carbon fibre and left unpainted to show of the carbon fibre weave. The few body panels which are fitted to the X-Bow Superlight are also formed from carbon fibre. Additional weight savings were also achieved through the use of unique light-alloy wheels finished in a dark lacquer. Powering the KTM X-Bow Superlight is the same Audi-sourced 2.0 litre turbocharged engine found in all the X-Bow models. This engine puts out 24...
Read more

McLaren 650S Sprint

McLaren’s new 650S model now comes in three flavors, the standard road going 650S, the competition-spec 650S GT3 for serious racers, and now there’s the 650S Sprint which is aimed at track enthusiasts who still want a little bit of comfort. The 650S Sprint also replaces the MP4-12C-based 12C Sprint as McLaren’s track toy for the super-rich. Compared to the road model, the 650S Sprint features increased downforce and better cooling airflow to the 3.8 litre twin-turbocharged V8. It also features a competition-spec fuel tank and quick-fill cap, a larger radiator borrowed from the GT3 car, a new hood with additional cooling ducts for the radiator, front wing louvres for improved airflow, reduced ride height and recalibrated damping and spring rates, 19-inch center-locking race wheels with either Pirelli slicks or wet tires, onboard air jack system, and an upgraded braking system. On the inside the McLaren 650S Sprint features a stripped-out design with a FIA-approved rol...
Read more

Maserati Ghibli vs BMW 6 Series : Which Will You Buy?

When considering vehicles like Maserati Ghibli and the BWM 6 Series Gran Coupe, both reflect an effort toward blending dignified luxury with exhilarating performance. Though beholding vehicles of this caliber is always an exercise most fruitfully left to the natural eye, the image above serves as a simple example of each sedan’s inherent dignity. In lieu of experiencing each vehicle’s performance profile from behind the wheel, the table provided similarly works to demonstrate what both Ghibli and BMW’s 6 series have been engineered to accomplish. Comparing the Maserati Ghibli vs. BMW 6 Series in this regard yields a number of important emphases. Local clients will notice that both vehicles develop their identity around six-cylinder engines with a pair of strategic turbochargers. Yet regardless of identical displacement and analogous induction technology, Maserati serves its Ghibli clients with significantly greater quantities of horsepower and torque. In addition to t...
Read more