MISSISSAUGA – September 21, 2010 --- Low-slung, sporty and exceptionally rare, Porsche AG's exclusive new 911 Speedster pays homage to the first Porsche model that bore the name – the 356 Speedster – and matches it with a limited production run of just 356 cars worldwide. The ultra-rare special-edition 911 makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October. The concept for the new Speedster was developed by Porsche Exclusive, a division devoted to the individual customization of Porsche production cars for customers as well as the creation of limited-run models. In fact, the new 911 Speedster celebrates the 25th anniversary of the department. Following in the footsteps of the 911 Sport Classic, which was not offered in Canada, the 911 Speedster features almost all optional equipment from the 911 series as standard, along with many unique design features not available on other 911 models. As such, it is the ultimate example of a factory-customized 911, with upgrades to its exterior design, interior trim and performance features. Markedly different from other 911 models, the Speedster comes exclusively in a two-seater configuration, with a windscreen that is more raked back and also lower by 60 mm. The sporty manual soft top with its flatter contours tucks beneath a new, characteristic double-bubble hard cover, while the rear wheelarches are 44 mm wider. The 911 Speedster also features a unique front apron, specific side skirts and a distinct rear apron. Top up or down, it is distinctive, instantly recognizable and unlike any other 911 model. A large part of appeal of the 911 Speedster also comes from its meticulously hand-finished interior. Black smooth-finish leather is combined with numerous details to match the exterior of the car. These include decorative designs with chequered-flag patterns in the centre sections of the power-adjustable adaptive sports seats, leather side bolsters in the exterior colour and numerous painted trim pieces, also matched to the exterior colour. Indeed, the exterior colour, Pure Blue, was developed exclusively for the Speedster, providing an intriguing contrast with the tinted front lights, black headlight rings, black windscreen surround and other black decorative designs. (Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White.) Under the hood, the 3.8-litre flat-six, fitted with Porsche's Exclusive Powerkit, delivers 408 hp, 23 hp more than a 911 Carrera S. Yet, in line with the Porsche Intelligent Performance development philosophy, it uses no more fuel on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmits power to the rear axle, which is fitted with a standard differential lock. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are also standard. Exemplary protection for driver and passenger comes standard in the new 911 Speedster. Especially for this open-top model, Porsche engineers further improved the rollover protection system which is standard in all convertible Porsche cars. The new Speedster is only the fourth model to wear the iconic name. In 1953, the Speedster series was launched with a puristic sports car based on the Porsche 356, which had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic side windows, and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen. In 1988, the first Speedster based on the 911 Carrera celebrated its revival with an added feature: for the first time, the hood compartment lid had the characteristic double bubbles. The last 911 Speedster was available in 1993-1994. In Canada, just 15 911 Speedsters will be available starting in early 2011, priced at $245,900.

 

Its a bit wearying, all the special editions for end of 997. Sport Classic, GT2RS,Speedster,rumored GT3RS, and feels as if marketing is getting its way. Originally the Speedster was a cut price version of the standard car, now its a big premium...............
I wonder how many more?

 

That's an insane price.

 

this 997 line up is getting very saturated... whats next? 997 X-Mas Edition?

 

Maybe a slant nose?

 

how about a glovebox that keeps my drinks cold???

So how does this sound, they diluted the brand to cash in on a burgeoning market and a largely accelerated customer base. The introduction of entry level models at greatly reduced price points and the major success of the SUV has given them a new customer base.
During this timeframe the diehard Porsche-philes have taken a relative back seat to the growth strategy and now they are looking to find what model offering resonates most with the diehards that they left behind. And maybe give them some of the exclusivity that they used to feel when they drove 993's.

This may be largely disputed by the forum, but just a view.

 

Really? I have no idea what the original sticker prices for speedsters vs regular cabrios was, but certainly now they command a huge premium over comparable regular cabs. At least insofar as the 3.2 Carreras go. I've been watching that market for a year or 2 now quite closely, and I don't even bother to look at Speedsters, because they command 993 prices.

 

Beautiful but that's a lot of bananas

 

408hp, widebody.... it's the Carrera GTS with the humps from a boxster sypder and the modernized fuchs from the sport classic.

No doubt gorgeous, but I think that the rear is too large, it doesn't seem to follow Porsche's "form following function". There's too much material where there doesn't need to be, imo.

Love the interior though...

 

This story from Porsche is getting very old and tired. The marketing guys go to management and say " here's a new jazzed up base car which 3 or 400 dummies will pay for through the nose and we can make a quick buck". Then they build them and 3 or 400 dummies buy them hoping to recapture the exclusivity that no longer exists. My present cars and I are going to grow old together gracefully.

 

they've put the strange side decals of the GT3 RS on the seats. Maybe they had some leftovers.
The Boxster spyder is actually the Speedster of the current range...

That said, the car looks great in that Blue.

 

Nice car but no wonder Porsche prices are taking a dump, seems as if there is something newer and improved just right around the corner "too often". You pay big bucks new, only to sell for Camry prices when you go to upgrade. Too many choices, too many models.... Should have stayed with the business model from the 993 era if they wanted to retain true customer loyalty and keep the "Porsche" brand something special, now it just seem's to be about selling the most amount of cars possible, like throwing out an even bigger net to catch more fish.

 

$245,000????
isn't that GT2 RS pricing? whose drinkin' the kool-aid on this one?

 

Canadian Dollars??

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! A quarter million dollars? Yeah, I'd be in line for a Carrera GT, the new McLaren, an F40, a 430 Scud, a V12 Vantage.