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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.

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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. 

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