Porsche 911 Speedster to cost £211,599 20 | 05 | 2019
THE ALL-NEW LIMITED edition Porsche 911 Speedster is now available to order in the UK. Prices at Scottish dealerships now start from £211,599. Only 1948 examples will be built at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen in Germany. (Related: Porshe unveils Cayenne Coupe)
Uunveiled earlier this year at the New York Motor Show, the new 911 Speedster — which borrows styling cues from the 356 Speedster — has been designed to commemorate Porsche’s 70th anniversary. It also pays homage to the iconic sportscar maker’s first production car, the 1948 356 Speedster. (Related: New Porsche 911 Cabriolet unveiled)
Based on the same platform as the Porsche 911 GT3 the new model adopts its wide body shape from the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. Worth pointing out though the 911 Speedster does feature a chopped roof with a lower, shallower windscreen.
In addition to the ‘double bubble’ hump, bonnet and front wings all being crafted from carbon fibre, other cosmetic features, such as the bullet-style door-mirrors, draw inspiration from Porsche’s early racing cars. (Related: Porsche confirms 2019 Macan price)
A set of 20-inch centre lock alloy wheels is standard on all production models of the 911 Speedster, in addition to a black leather interior, a bonnet-mounted fuel filler cap, and a pair of GT3 RS-style titanium exhaust tips.
“Speedster” logos adorn the head restraints and the visible carbon door sills, as well as the central rev counter. Like the other instruments, it has black dials with white needles as well as green digits and scales, all features reminiscent of its famous forebear, the 356 Speedster. A unique badge on the cross structure behind the front seats shows the serial number of each car.
Inside the cabin, the lightweight theme continues. In an effort to shave a few grammes from the car, the Speedster ditches the GT3’s air conditioning system — buyers can though opt to have it re-fitted as a no-cost option — and the standard interior trim has been removed in favour of lightweight carbon fibre replacements. A pair of carbon-backed bucket seats also house the drive and passenger.
Power comes from the same naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine as found in the 911 GT3. That means 503bhp and 460Nm of torque, and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox delivers a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds. The 911 Speedster will continue on to a top speed of 192mph.
Stopping power is generated by ceramic composite brakes, identical to those found on the GT3, as are the suspension components.
And, of course the Speedster doesn’t get a proper folding roof. Instead occupants can shelter beneath a lightweight Tonneau cover, fitted in place by Tenax buttons.
Customers can also order a Heritage Design package. Created by Style Porsche and implemented by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, this equipment reinterprets classic elements from the 1950s and ‘60s. This includes a Black and Cognac interior colour scheme with golden details.
Special “spears” paintwork in White for the front fascia and front wings is applied to the basic vehicle paintwork, which is GT Silver Metallic. Historic-inspired motor sports decals for the doors and front lid complete the picture.
Owners can in turn select their own maximum two-digit start numbers as shown in the photos. The Porsche crests and the gold-coloured logos correspond to the designs used in the 1950s and ‘60s. The Heritage Design package costs £15,302.
Porsche Design Timepieces has also produced a special chronograph for the new 911 Speedster, likewise limited in number to 1,948 examples: the Porsche Design "911 Speedster chronograph" and the "911 Speedster Heritage Design chronograph" can be ordered exclusively by future owners of a new Speedster at Porsche Centres from May 2019. Price? £9900 each.
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Jim McGill