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I like your Boxster/Roadster “Singer” idea. I couldn’t believe that Zagato had made 9 of these (frankly ugly) 356 iterations in 2015 and sold them all at $500k a pop.
I missed that auction . . . and glad I did. Zagato has always been a head scratcher for me. They've gotten a lot of mileage out of their signature double-bubble-roof designs, but there's is an acquired taste which has admittedly eluded me.
Originally Posted by Zeus993
Brilliant idea Nick. They're plentiful, cheap, some still w low miles etc... and with pulling out the extra seat, the top, and retro fitting a CF back lid with a single streamer (for example), wheels, etc... you could have a bada## boxster bandito.
Joel, let's do the math:
A normal C2 964 weights roughly 3,000 lbs.
Singer's recent DLS lightweight special comes in at 2,180 lbs.
So Singer was able to reduce the standard car's weight by 27% or so.
Now a 986 weighs roughly 2,800 lbs.
If an equivalent reduction in weight of 27% could be achieved, that would bring the car down around the magical 2,000 lb. mark. Now we're talking!
You might not even need a huge increase in power over a standard 986 if you're propelling a car that weighs just one ton.
Agree on the single streamliner -- a must!
Originally Posted by Boxster7
Wow... you’re on fire today Nick.....
Have you started early on the Christmas brandy !!
With everything going on in your part of the world, don't tell me you haven't turned to the bottle!
I missed that auction . . . and glad I did. Zagato has always been a head scratcher for me. They've gotten a lot of mileage out of their signature double-bubble-roof designs, but there's is an acquired taste which has admittedly eluded me.
Joel, let's do the math:
A normal C2 964 weights roughly 3,000 lbs.
Singer's recent DLS lightweight special comes in at 2,180 lbs.
So Singer was able to reduce the standard car's weight by 27% or so.
Now a 986 weighs roughly 2,800 lbs.
If an equivalent reduction in weight of 27% could be achieved, that would bring the car down around the magical 2,000 lb. mark. Now we're talking!
You might not even need a huge increase in power over a standard 986 if you're propelling a car that weighs just one ton.
Agree on the single streamliner -- a must!
With everything going on in your part of the world, don't tell me you haven't turned to the bottle!
A 2001, 40k Mile, $13.2K USD car. Rip out the seats, buy one lightweight Recaro, toss the roof, custom out and paint the streamer, lightweight wheels... What, $5K? Certainly under $20 for a lightweight ripper.
Now back to the main topic...
here is the latest spy pic of the GT4... more of the rear diffuser is exposed... you can see the fins now. Still some tape masking minor stuff. Also might have rocker lip now? Might be a sidewalk reflection though.
I'm guessing you've seen the final version? :-) Yeah, you shouldn't form an opinion on styling and trim pieces based on prototypes. Everything gets cleaned up.
Though the article date says 12/31/18... these photos and video are old (spring/summer). Good example of a click bait article. Only thing new is the mention of the 718 T 2019 launch and that the Spyder will be a 2020.
Only thing new is the mention of the 718 T 2019 launch and that the Spyder will be a 2020.
And the 'new' part in the reporting is, in my opinion, a mis-representation...or at best sloppy reporting.
Here is what was written by Viknesh today's Motor Authority article:
My information is that indeed the new 'Boxster Spyder' will be arriving in calendar year 2019 as a 2020 model.
I expect the intro at the next Geneva Auto Show (March 2019) and first deliveries in the 'late summer/early fall'
of 2019. The arrival of the new Boxster Spyder 'after' the mid-2019 calendar year in the US market was told to
me directly & in person by Klaus Zellmer, President & CEO of PCNA, at Rennsport VI last September.
The debut of the 'Spyder' at the Geneva Auto Show in early 2019 is just speculation on my part.
***
As a side note, the author of this article mentions that 'The design is a tribute to the 718 Spyder from the 1960s.'
This characterization was the result of some creative minds in the PR department at Porsche that came up with
this wording when the 981 Boxster Spyder was introduced & wanted this model to be also tied to the upcoming
& renamed 718 'Boxster' model:
"The distinctive design of the Boxster Spyder includes stylistic elements that recall the legendary sports and race
cars from Porsche. For example, as a tribute to the 718 Spyder from the 1960s, the new Boxster Spyder has two
prominent streamlined bulges that extend down along the long rear lid behind the headrests."
Yet when the original 987 Boxster Spyder was introduced in 2009 at the LA Auto Show, the factory press release made
a big deal about how the same 'bulges' were, in fact, reminiscent of the modern 'Carrera GT'...not the old '718 Spyder'.
"This exciting new member of the Boxster family stands out among other versions of the company's famous roadster.
Almost reluctantly, Porsche's engineers equipped it with a lightweight manual soft top meant for protection only; it is
there to be deployed on those occasions when the elements absolutely demand it. This utilitarian top, when combined
with extra-low side windows and two striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, provides the Boxster Spyder with a
sleek, low-slung silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.
"The new Boxster Spyder looks distinctly different from its Boxster siblings," said Klaus Berning, Porsche's executive
board member responsible for worldwide sales and marketing, speaking at the Los Angeles Auto Show press conference
today. "Our designers borrowed from the rich history of our mid-engine sports and race cars of the '50s, but under the skin i
t has our most advanced technology so that its performance matches the Spyder's looks, making it the quintessential purist
Porsche."