New Boxster Spyder Top Operaton Videos
04-03-2015, 06:46 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
The new car has a better engineered top.
The old car's top has more character and is cooler, despite being cumbersome to some.
A French press vs k-cup coffee.
The decision to put badges right near the hooks seems to be more of a marketing decision than a designer's decision. I am guessing it is because they took away the vintage racing stripes and now have to justify visually that is not your plain jane Boxster. Cool cars don't need to shout "Look at me, I am different!" This is so BMW M and their 9 M badges on a single car.
The old car's top has more character and is cooler, despite being cumbersome to some.
A French press vs k-cup coffee.
The decision to put badges right near the hooks seems to be more of a marketing decision than a designer's decision. I am guessing it is because they took away the vintage racing stripes and now have to justify visually that is not your plain jane Boxster. Cool cars don't need to shout "Look at me, I am different!" This is so BMW M and their 9 M badges on a single car.
04-03-2015, 06:50 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
That top supposedly saves 22lbs, which is the weight of about three gallons of gas. So you can get the Spyder weight savings by filling up a little less at the gas station. And what is that mesh viewblocker doing there in between the seats? 
I didn’t realize you still had to close those two little flaps after the top was stowed. So it looks like an 9-step operation (unlock top, pop trunk, unhook and roll left buttress, unhook and roll right buttress, open trunk, stow top, close trunk, close right flap, close left flap)? Although maybe the flaps could be closed before closing the trunk, saving an extra trip to the passenger side?
All in all, though, an improvement over the 987. Especially PR-wise. So far, videos of the Spyder top operation feature relaxed people who seem to be having a good time. The only 987 Spyder video I remember was of a grumbly-looking guy in a suit who looked like he was about to toss the roof at the cameraman during Take #394 ...
I didn’t realize you still had to close those two little flaps after the top was stowed. So it looks like an 9-step operation (unlock top, pop trunk, unhook and roll left buttress, unhook and roll right buttress, open trunk, stow top, close trunk, close right flap, close left flap)? Although maybe the flaps could be closed before closing the trunk, saving an extra trip to the passenger side?
All in all, though, an improvement over the 987. Especially PR-wise. So far, videos of the Spyder top operation feature relaxed people who seem to be having a good time. The only 987 Spyder video I remember was of a grumbly-looking guy in a suit who looked like he was about to toss the roof at the cameraman during Take #394 ...
Other than the stupid Spyder badges I noticed that is some serious engineering under the humps to make all of this happen. I actually would have gone powered top and given it 425 HP to **** off the GT4 people and make-up for the added weight...PDK of course too!
04-03-2015, 06:54 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
Also the rear humps look more like canisters, almost forced. Assuredly not as blended and seamless as the 987's. I do like the interior of the 981 and the option list is far better than what was offered on the 987.
I think the proof in the pudding will be the reviews in the coming days.
I think the proof in the pudding will be the reviews in the coming days.
04-03-2015, 07:02 PM
#19
Addict
Rennlist Member
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The definition of Spyder is "same as a roadster but with reduced weather protection". The 987.2 Spyder is exactly that with a focus on seriously reducing weight at the very top of the car.
Regardless of this I do think the reviews will be glowing, especially if they really did make changes to the steering feel.
Regardless of this I do think the reviews will be glowing, especially if they really did make changes to the steering feel.
04-03-2015, 07:08 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
The definition of Spyder is "same as a roadster but with reduced weather protection". The 987.2 Spyder is exactly that with a focus on seriously reducing weight at the very top of the car.
Regardless of this I do think the reviews will be glowing, especially if they really did make changes to the steering feel.
Regardless of this I do think the reviews will be glowing, especially if they really did make changes to the steering feel.
04-03-2015, 07:29 PM
#21
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good video, I have some stills below. During the discussion after the demo, I found out that the rear trunk cannot be opened with the top up. As you can see in the first video, the rear trunk compound hinge moves the lid up and away from the top first thing. So if you forget or need something in the trunk, you have to disconnect the header bar ( power ) and disconnect the two bimini connectors. Seems like a significant oversight to me...
Donn
Donn
Hipsters here in Portland have taken to carrying boomboxes while riding their fixies. People will put up with all kind of inconveniences if something strikes their fancy.
04-03-2015, 07:35 PM
#22
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"According to wikipedia, the term comes from the days of horse drawn vehicles, a spider being a light 2 seat vehicle, the name coming from the appearance of the top being likened to an 8 legged spider."
Thus for Porsche to technically call it a "Spyder" the top needs to have the funny flaps, even through in the 981 are really more decorative than functional as in the 987.2.
Thus for Porsche to technically call it a "Spyder" the top needs to have the funny flaps, even through in the 981 are really more decorative than functional as in the 987.2.
04-03-2015, 07:49 PM
#23
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it is a better top than the old spyder but not as beautiful.
Would love to have just the stretched piece as the top with nothing else...
Would love to have just the stretched piece as the top with nothing else...
04-03-2015, 07:55 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
04-03-2015, 08:00 PM
#25
Rennlist Member
That was my favorite part of the 987: that you could put the cool looking top half on and leave the rear window and bottom part in the trunk. You get the feeling of driving a convertible without baking in the sun. Genius.
04-03-2015, 08:30 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
The definition of Spyder is "same as a roadster but with reduced weather protection". The 987.2 Spyder is exactly that with a focus on seriously reducing weight at the very top of the car.
Regardless of this I do think the reviews will be glowing, especially if they really did make changes to the steering feel.
Regardless of this I do think the reviews will be glowing, especially if they really did make changes to the steering feel.
04-03-2015, 08:42 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
04-03-2015, 08:55 PM
#28
I also don't get the point of the flaps other than to maintain the same look. I wonder if you could have the black trim that the flaps hook into painted the same color as the car. I think that trim piece breaks up the look of the rear. The hinge mechanism also seems flimsy and complicated. They essentially took the electric roof and removed the power motors and insulation. I'm still partial to the original but I know most have no interest in dealing with the 3 minute removal/install process.
04-03-2015, 11:19 PM
#30
Race Director
