R2R

Anyone hear about this?

ATLANTA - November 5, 2009 - Weighing in at just 2,811 lbs., the new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will be the lightest Porsche available - from a company known for lightweight, proficient sports cars. This new mid-engined roadster represents the true, purist form of the sports car - agile, powerful, open and efficient. This third Boxster model will join the Boxster and Boxster S and will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, December 2, 2009.

The newest member of the Boxster family stands out from the other versions of Porsche's mid-engined roadster. Its low-slung, lightweight soft top - when closed - extends far to the rear to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather. This 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 silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine with Direct Fuel Injection upfront of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 horsepower (hp), 10 hp more than the Boxster S. The combination of 10 more hp and 176 pounds less weight than the award-winning Boxster S, plus an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm, a lower center of gravity, a standard limited slip differential, and exclusive wheels provides the kind of driving dynamics that back up the unique look. Aluminum door skins and lightweight interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS contribute to the weight reduction.

When equipped with Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top track speed is 166 mph - with the roof open.

Fundamentally, the entire Boxster family is the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder and RS 60 of the Fifties and Sixties, all sharing the same mid-engine roadster concept. Low weight and supreme agility combine to provide outstanding driving pleasure.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche produced limited editions of the Boxster bearing the additional name Spyder, honoring the 550 and RS 60. In contrast, the new Boxster Spyder is a regular, but specially developed and upgraded production model as compared with the Boxster and Boxster S.

The 2011 Boxster Spyder goes on sale February 2010. U.S. pricing is $61,200.

seafeye

How long before people take the script "Boxster Spyder" off the back of the car.

Dumbest german idea ever!!!!!!! IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO0YttH6wYs

gt3cup98

Will air conditioning be an option? Deal killer in South Florida if not!
Thanks!
Boyd

Doug&Julie

Man Rennlist really needs to combine all the Boxster forums...

Turbofanatic

Yes, it will be available as an option.

JimmiLew

I was looking at a Ferrari 430 F1 Spyder. I was really thinking about it. But, for about 140K less I can get one of these, and stay loyal to the marque. Done deal!

I think this car looks awesome and is a bargain for the price. What more could you possibly need?

JL

Thundertub

It is posted on the Porsche NA Website, since yesterday.

Based on how the "roof" fits on the car (more like an umbrella) A/C will be worthless... as will rolling up the windows as protection from the rain.

Phil G.

Here's the Porsche website. The car looks great with roof off, but with roof on ... hmmmm.

http://www.porsche.com/microsite/box...pyder/usa.aspx

Turbofanatic

Actually, the car isn't made to drive in the rain, so the roof isn't important

schwank

I think it looks sweet. 0-60 in 4.3sec is awesome. My 01S takes 5.5... that is good progress for the car over the last 10 years.

Ray S

I think it looks awesome......

I wish Porsche would make more low weight models

AlpharettaRK

Well good for them, the weight and the horsepower are just what I have in my 1999 3.4 Boxster. With A/C and a killer stereo. Impressive progress.
Cheers
Randy

Ray S

Really, you've got a stock 2,811 lb 996? Care to post the printout of that weight?

Both my 986 and my 996 weigh more than this new car if Porsche's published weight proves accurate.

AlpharettaRK

No, I have a 1999 Boxster which, acording to the owner's manual weighs between 2755 & 2900 lbs depending on options into which I've put a 3.4, which I'm sure weighs no more than the 2.5. PCA seems to think 2779 is the weight judging by club race rules. The point being they could have built this car in 1999 if they chose to do so.
Cheers
Randy

Ray S

You're sure that the 3.4 weighs no more than the 2.5? Why would you make that assumption?

Furthermore the 2000 Boxster S came with a lot of extra (read heavier) standard equipment. Did you add the Boxster S third radiator? How about the larger oil cooler? How about the larger Boxster S brakes (from a 996). Did you add the Boxster S interior headliner. Does your car ride on 16" wheels (because the low 1999 curb weight was measured with 16" wheels).

My point is Porsche added quite a bit of extra weight when they made the Boxster S. Furthermore, I'd be willing to bet that your car weighs considerably more than 2811 lbs (provided you have made no other changes and even if you did not add all of the Boxster S extra equipment). Finally, the 987 chassis is stiffer that the 986 chassis (and probably weighs more as a result), so your comparison is little bit apples and oranges.

Why would I make that bet? I've weighed my 2000 986. My car has very few options and it weighs over 100 lbs. more than the 2,811 lbs. Porsche quotes for this Spyder. I'll bet you car weighs more too.

If your point is that Porsche (and basically every other car manufacturer save Lotus) makes modern cars too darn heavy then I wholeheartedly agree. However, much of that weight is safety equipment that manufacturers did not put in olders cars. Another big portion is luxury equipment that consumers today demand.

What I don't understand is when Porsche goes out and creates a car like this (basically turns back the clock a little and does the right thing) why people have to disrespect the effort? Personally I think it's great.

The new 987 Spyder gives you the weight of a 1997 986 with;

- Greatly enhanced safety equipment
- Over 100 extra horsepower
- Bigger brakes
- Significantly larger wheels and tires
- More cooling capacity
- and a Chassis that is waaaay more rigid than the original

Sounds like a great car to me.......