Exclusive roadster is fourth iteration of Porsche’s legendary sports car.
Porsche’s new 911 Speedster that will debut at the Paris Auto Show in October pays homage to the first Porsche model to bear the Speedster name, – the 356 Speedster – launched in 1953 for the U.S. market only. Significantly different from other members of the current 911 family, this two-seat roadster features a 2.36-inch lower, more raked windscreen and the characteristic speedster double-bubble hardcover for the manual soft top. The rear-wheel-drive only Speedster is even more striking thanks to use of the 1.73-inch wider all-wheel-drive 911 body. Speedster production will be limited to 356 units worldwide, with approximately 100 heading to the U.S.
Powered by a 3.8-liter flat six engine, the new 911 Speedster is rated at 408 horsepower, 23 more horsepower than the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, yet is EPA rated the same at 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway. The 2011 Speedster reaches 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds with Sport Chrono Plus and has a top speed of 190 mph.
The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission transmits power to the rear axle that is fitted with a standard limited-slip differential. A six-speed manual transmission is not available. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are standard.
In 1953, the Speedster series was launched as purist sports car based on the Porsche 356. New York Porsche importer Max Hoffman envisioned a lightweight 356 Cabriolet that would look and perform in America like no other sports car. The car Porsche created had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic windows and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen. The 356 Speedster was very popular, especially in Southern California.
In 1988, the second Speedster, this time based on the 911 Carrera, celebrated the classic’s revival with an added feature: characteristic double bubbles. In 1993/1994, the next evolutionary stage of the 911 Carrera was ushered in with the third Speedster edition.
The conception of the current Speedster comes from Porsche Exclusive – the department specializing in individualization of all Porsche cars and limited production models. This year it introduced the successful European 911 Sport Classic. The Speedster showcases the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive that will be celebrated next year.
The Speedster features almost all optional equipment of the 911 series as well as a hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather with numerous exclusive exterior color painted details. Included are designs with checkerboard patterns
in the seat center-sections of the adaptive sports seats, and leather side
bolsters finished in the exterior color.
A new Pure Blue exterior color has been developed exclusively for the Speedster, providing an appealing contrast with the tinted front lights, black headlight rings, black windscreen surround and other black decorative trim. Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White, at no extra cost. It also features a special front apron, specific sideskirts and a distinct rear apron.
Priced at $204,000 in the U.S., the 911 Carrera Speedster will be available beginning in early 2011.
For more information about Porsche vehicles, please visit,
http://www.porsche.com/usa/
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