Automotive

Porsche 911 Speedster nearly doubles the price of a GT3 to pull the top down

Porsche 911 Speedster nearly doubles the price of a GT3 to pull the top down
150 grand extra, for a convertible roof you've got to operate by hand? OK then.
150 grand extra, for a convertible roof you've got to operate by hand? OK then.
View 13 Images
150 grand extra, for a convertible roof you've got to operate by hand? OK then.
1/13
150 grand extra, for a convertible roof you've got to operate by hand? OK then.
The 911 Speedster with the 356 "No. 1" roadster from 1948
2/13
The 911 Speedster with the 356 "No. 1" roadster from 1948
11 grand extra gets you a watch.
3/13
11 grand extra gets you a watch.
The watch is available in two colors.
4/13
The watch is available in two colors.
Silver/tan version with the roof down
5/13
Silver/tan version with the roof down
Red/black version with the roof down
6/13
Red/black version with the roof down
Silver and red versions with their rooves down
7/13
Silver and red versions with their rooves down
911 Speedster steering wheel
8/13
911 Speedster steering wheel
Are there any photos of this thing with the roof up?
9/13
Are there any photos of this thing with the roof up?
No, there are not.
10/13
No, there are not.
Manual shift only
11/13
Manual shift only
The 911 Speedster should be a weapon to drive
12/13
The 911 Speedster should be a weapon to drive
a nudge over 500 horsepower will keep things crazy
13/13
a nudge over 500 horsepower will keep things crazy
View gallery - 13 images

It's a gorgeous, razor-edged convertible ... But at what cost? After revealing the 911 Speedster as a concept last year, Porsche has announced the limited edition production version's price tag. Based on the 911 GT3 with some touches from the 911 R, it's a sexy beast indeed, but it costs an absolute bomb.

The engine is developed from the one in the GT3, with a tiny nudge from 373 to 375 kW (500 to 503 horsepower) from the 4-liter, 6-cylinder boxer thanks to new high-pressure fuel injectors and individual throttle valves in the intake system that also add responsiveness to the motor. Zero-100 km/h (0-60 mph) will take four seconds flat, and the top speed will be a very adequate 310 km/h (192.6 mph).

Transmission is manual only, with a six-speed 'box that'll keep the purists purring, although it does have automatic throttle blipping on downshifts. You can turn that off and heel-toe the thing to your heart's content if necessary.

Manual shift only
Manual shift only

Weight is saved not only with the removal of the roof, but with carbon composite hood and wings from the 911 R. The Speedster will roll at a fighting weight of 1465 kg, or 3,230 lbs. The Talbot-style mirrors from the concept are gone, replaced by a more anonymous sport design that won't offend anyone.

With active suspension damping, a mechanical rear diff lock with asymmetric locking, rear-axle steering and dynamic engine mounts, taken from the GT3 and 911 R, this thing should be a proper weapon to drive, and Porsche's torque vectoring and stability control will be very handy on the road.

And then there's the roof. It's a fabric top that part-opens itself at the push of a button. You then manually push it around to complete the process and close the lid. Yeah, really. At least you get those two sexy streamliners behind the seats, they look super cool.

Silver and red versions with their rooves down
Silver and red versions with their rooves down

If I was a cynical man, I'd say I want a bit more from my convertible roof if it's going to take the price of my car from US$148,000 up closer to $275k. But hey, Porsche only needs to find 1,948 buyers – a number chosen to commemorate the 1948 356 "No. 1" roadster that kicked off Porsche's sportscar business. And those 1,948 drivers can leave their tops down all day if they like, hanging their arms out the side to show off the specially designed companion watches they shelled out about 11 grand more for.

Nice work if you can get it. Orders are open now.

Source: Porsche

View gallery - 13 images
2 comments
2 comments
guzmanchinky
It IS an amazing car. That's too much money. And they NEED to come out with an answer to the Tesla Roadster in the form of a 911 immediately.
WB
the tesla roadster is running circles around this one. The Tesla roadster costs half, has more range, twice the acceleration and likely a lot more safe. So why bother.