Porsche Cayman Club Sport to follow Boxster Spyder...
Porsche has announced it is to build a lighter, more powerful version of its mid-engined Boxster called the Spyder. Based on the current 3.4S model the Spyder, which will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show next month, will be the lightest production car Porsche makes.
Porsche has really gone to town with its Spyder, in a way that GT3 RS owners can only dream off. The aluminium doors save 15kg, the air conditioning has been ditched saving a further 12kg, an identical weight saving achieved by fitting sports bucket seats. Other concessions to weight saving include no air conditioning (another 12kg saving), no radio or PCM module (3kg saved), the door cards are taken from the GT3 RS and feature pull cords in place of handles and are devoid of any storage compartments. With a canvas cover replacing the standard convertible hood Porsche has saved further weight by not having to fit electric motors, a glass rear window or heavy sound insulation. As an ultimate sacrifice the cup holders are no more. The standard 19-inch wheels are also the lightest Porsche offers on any of its production cars. In all Porsche has shaved 80kg with the Spyder weighing in at 1275kg.
The Spyder will be powered by an enhanced version of the 3.4-litre direct fuel injected flat-six found in the S. Peak power is up 10bhp to 320bhp delivered at a heady 7,200rpm (the Boxster S produced its 310bhp at 6,400rpm), and peak torque climbs from 265lb ft available from 4,400 through to 5,5500rpm to 272lb ft at 4,750rpm. Porsche’s six-speed gearbox is fitted as standard and comes complete with a shorter shift action, with the company’s seven-speed PDK unit available at extra cost, but adds 25kg to the kerb weight.
With the manual gearbox fitted Porsche claim the Spyder will reach 62mph from a standstill in 5.1-seconds, two-tenths quicker than a regular S, and crack 165mph, 3mph slower than an S, although this is with the roof of the Spyder open, Porsche as yet to announce if the Spyder has a limited top speed with the canvas roof in place. Opt for the optional PDK transmission and the Spyder shaves a tenth off the manual car’s 0-62mph time, and a further two-tenths off this if you specify the optional Sports Chrono Package with Launch Control.
Externally the Spyder is recognisable by a number of unique design touches, the most noticeable being the single piece rear lid featuring two distinct humps behind the roll over bars. There is also a fixed rear spoiler, and the engine air intakes on the side of the car do away with the regular struts. The front of the Spyder does away with the S’s front fog lights and the LED running lights are smaller, lighter, items.
Inside the minimalist approach continues with the centre console and dashboard trim painted the same colour as the exterior with the dials finished in black. In place of the Boxster’s traditional electric folding roof is what Porsche call a sun protector and weather shield that fixes to the windscreen header rail and two anchoring points fixed to the rear engine cover. While the windscreen remains the standard item, the side windows are lower.
Beneath the Spyder’s tweaked body lies a chassis lowered by 20mm with stiffer springs, recalibrated dampers, thicker anti-roll bars and a limited slip differential all part of the standard kit, as is Porsche Stability Management.
The Boxster Spyder will be available in seven colours: Black, Guards red, Carrara White, Basalt black, Aqua blue, Artic silver, Cream white.
On-sale from February 2010 the Boxster Spyder will cost £44,643 and you can expect similar treatment being dished out to the Cayman early next year, too...
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