Porsche is getting a jump on the 2009 L.A. Auto Show next month with the announcement of an all-new, top-of-the-line Boxster model.
Dubbed the 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder, it dispenses with a roof to reduce weight and gets a modest ten-horsepower increase over the current Boxster S. Porsche also mentioned some suspension modifications, but didn't get specific. Overall, the Boxster Spyder weighs just 2,811 pounds, which is about 133 pounds less than the Boxster S.
Worldwide sales are expected to begin in February of next year.
estreka says:
06:30 AM, 11/ 5/09
That's a lot of inconveniance for 133 lbs. It still weighs more than an S2000, a traditional rival.
bimmerjay says:
07:48 AM, 11/ 5/09
I can't imagine this will sell in significant numbers, who wants a car with no roof? That basically limits this thing to 'third car' status.
kingkhalas says:
08:52 AM, 11/ 5/09
wow, that looks good.
kingkhalas says:
08:53 AM, 11/ 5/09
btw, one of those pictures shows a roof?
jkavanagh says:
09:33 AM, 11/ 5/09
Like the Speedsters of the '50s, the roof shown here is a structure you assemble onto the car. Normal Boxsters have a power folding top.
Incidentally, did anyone take a look at this Speedster's interior door pulls?
cruiserhead1 says:
10:35 AM, 11/ 5/09
I like the idea, it's cool but wish it was a lot lighter. 133 lbs from the center of the vehicle doesn't seem worth the loss.
Now if it were 250-300lbs, that might be worth it. I like the bikini top and minimalist feel.
One small thing- wish it just said "Spyder" on the back. Having "BS" is long and a bit redundant.
cruiserhead1 says:
11:18 AM, 11/ 5/09
Jkav
yeah noticed the seatbelt straps as door pulls. kinda novel... bordering on cheapie looking though.
I wish they would have gone more "bare bones" with the interior and chopped a third off the windshield
breif says:
12:51 PM, 11/ 5/09
I dig it. I don't have near enough money to buy one, but I can dig it nonetheless.
inlinesix says:
01:07 PM, 11/ 5/09
yeah this looks pretty good.
clarkma5 says:
08:06 PM, 11/ 5/09
I think it's a great revival of the old 964 RS America...back when they came out, it was cheaper than a Carrera, used mostly volume parts, and offered a stripped-out experience for more performance. OK, this time this is more expensive than the Boxster S, but not by much, and it undercuts the Carrera by $20k, along with almost 300 pounds and is only a few ponies shy of the 911...I think this represents a great porsche bargain, where the lineup can be pretty thin for real performance freaks below the GT3. The Cayman did a lot to help that case, and this is another one (I hope they offer this treatment on the Cayman sooner or later...)
I, too, agree that I would've liked to see more simplicity in the interior and a Speedster-esque chopped windscreen, but then it would've been way too close to $100k for comfort. The "Boxster Spyder" badge though...much cheaper to fix.
parchisi64 says:
09:55 PM, 11/ 5/09
Estreka and Bimmerjay, something tells me that people won't be buying this car for its "convenience" or as a daily driver or even "second car." It'll be bought for the occasional sunny weekend drive and as a status symbol. You'd be amazed at the inconvenience people will put themselves through in order to show off.
With that said, the car looks friggin' sweet!