New Porsche Speedster

[John Straub]

I just got this from Mark Maynard the "Wheels" editor of the UT.

John
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Porsche is bringing back a new 911 Speedster model, which will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October.

Similar in format to the just-announced 911 GTS, the Speedster body comes from the all-wheel-drive 911, which is 1.73 inches wider than the standard model. The Speedster is slammed with a suspension lowered by 2.36 inches, a more raked windshield and, of course, the classic double-bubble hardcover for the manual soft top.

Available only in rear-wheel drive with the seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission, Porsche will build 356 units worldwide, with approximately 100 heading to the U.S. On sale in North America in early 2011, the 911 Carrera Speedster has a starting price of $204,950, including the freight charge from Germany.

The Speedster gets the 408-horsepower, 3.8 flat six also used in the 911 GTS model. But performance is a couple ticks less: 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and a 190 mph top track speed, same as the 911 S.

Standard Speedster hardware includes Porsche Active Suspension Management. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes and limited-slip differential lock.

Unique to this generation Speedster will be “Pure Blue” or “Carrera White” paint, tinted front lights, black headlight rings, black windshield surround and other black trim treatments. There also are special sideskirts and front and rear aprons.

The interior features almost all optional equipment of the 911 series, including a hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather. The adaptive sports seats have leather side bolsters in the paint color and a subtle checkerboard pattern in the center.

The 2011 model marks the fourth generation of Porsche Speedsters, which began as the 1953 Porsche 356. The first model was more of a purist’s car, with simple, sport bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic windows and a shortened, curved windshield. Other generations were in 1988 and 1993-94.