Jun 1, 2019 7:28:08 PM
One of a kind: the Porsche Boxster Bergspyder
Years ago, a Porsche development team designed the prototype of a new edition of the legendary Bergspyder. The study, based on the 981 Boxster generation, did not pass the feasibility test in the end. Here, Porsche Newsroom tells the story.
Porsche engineers constantly use prototypes to test the lightweight construction potential of the current generations of sports cars. A car especially predestined for this treatment was the Boxster, an open-top two-seater and the lightweight model among the series production vehicles from Zuffenhausen.
In 2015, the Executive Board commissioned a project group from Weissach to build a sports car based on the 981, that was to be as light and minimalist as possible. The prototype was to have an even more radical and uncompromising design than the brand new Boxster Spyder in order to achieve an exceptional power-to-weight ratio with associated superior driving dynamics. The legendary Porsche 909, with its ready-to-drive weight of 384 kg — the lightest racing car ever used by Porsche — was built with similar specifications almost 50 years before. For the engineers, the name for the project was obvious: 981 Bergspyder. Deciding on the choice of colour was also quick: white with green touches.
The Porsche 909 (right) was built with similar specifications as the Boxster Bergspyder
Based on a 981 Boxster, the result was a single-seater sports car without a top, door handles or windscreen. As with the Porsche hillclimb racing cars from the late 1960s, there was only a flat, transparent wind deflector which extended around the driver and ended at the doors. The team of engineers and designers created a cover to extend from the windscreen to the engine compartment. This tarpaulin paid homage to the 1954 Porsche 356 Speedster.
It was made initially of imitation leather, with a carbon fibre component planned for the next developmental stage, which was also the material for both rear and front lids. The dashboard underwent a complete redesign, fitted with elements from the Porsche 918 Spyder and assembled in the style of the super sports car. The seat also originated from the 918 technology platform. The passenger door could be opened, with another luggage compartment concealed behind it to provide space for a helmet shelf, a removable cover for the driver's seat and additional luggage.
The single-seater sports car based on a 981 Boxster
After undergoing lightweight design treatment including minimal insulation material and weight-optimised components, the ready-to-drive 981 Bergspyder weighed 1,099 kg. Powered by the 3.8-litre 289 kW (393 PS) boxer engine from the Cayman GT4, the Bergspyder had a power-to-weight ratio of almost 2.8 kg per PS. Acceleration figures of just over four seconds from zero to 100 km/h and a Nürburgring time of around 7:30 minutes were close to becoming reality.
A major question mark remained as to whether the car would be eligible for registration in some countries, which would have an impact on potential sales. As a result, the project was not pursued and the prototype remained a one-off. The ready-to-drive sports car project was on display for two years at the development centre in Weissach before finally being transferred to the Porsche Museum. The 981 Bergspyder will be shown to the public for the first time during the 2019 edition of the Gaisberg hillclimb race.
SciFrog:They waste time and money doing that but refuse to sell a GT3 touring with PDK and rear seats. Lame.
I, for one, do not see pursuing technology in aid of lighter cars as a waste of time or money. It sounds like only the regulatory world squashed this car, however the tech remains in-house, and could even benefit the PDK GT3 touring you so strangely keep wanting, considering how much you seem to consider Porsche passé.
2017 Range Rover Sport S/C, 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo
Jun 2, 2019 8:35:49 AM
4trac:SciFrog:They waste time and money doing that but refuse to sell a GT3 touring with PDK and rear seats. Lame.
I, for one, do not see pursuing technology in aid of lighter cars as a waste of time or money. It sounds like only the regulatory world squashed this car, however the tech remains in-house, and could even benefit the PDK GT3 touring you so strangely keep wanting, considering how much you seem to consider Porsche passé.
Spot on, this is the kind of things I like to see from Porsche, shows they still keep some of the right ethos in building cars too.
⇒ Carlos - Porsche 991 Carrera GTS
Jun 2, 2019 9:24:20 AM
Carlos from Spain:4trac:SciFrog:They waste time and money doing that but refuse to sell a GT3 touring with PDK and rear seats. Lame.
I, for one, do not see pursuing technology in aid of lighter cars as a waste of time or money. It sounds like only the regulatory world squashed this car, however the tech remains in-house, and could even benefit the PDK GT3 touring you so strangely keep wanting, considering how much you seem to consider Porsche passé.
Spot on, this is the kind of things I like to see from Porsche, shows they still keep some of the right ethos in building cars too.
+1
I had almost lost all hope until I came across this Boxster
2017 991.2 Carrera 4 GTS | GT Silver Metallic - The GT3 Killah!
2013 Audi S3 | Glacier White
Jun 2, 2019 2:51:13 PM
Porsche 910/8 Bergspyder -- Restoration of a rare exhibit...
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_CxG7iSuOI
bluelines:Manual transmission, 1099kg and revs to 9000 rpm Too bad it is a one-off.
I think only 7,800 rpm (981 GT4 motor), but still looks very fun...
I think the tach in the photo was borrowed from the 918...
--
18 GT3 Manual, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 16 Cayman GT4, 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
Grant:bluelines:Manual transmission, 1099kg and revs to 9000 rpm Too bad it is a one-off.
I think only 7,800 rpm (981 GT4 motor), but still looks very fun...
I think the tach in the photo was borrowed from the 918...
My GT4 rev’ed to 9000 rpm
2017 991.2 Carrera 4 GTS | GT Silver Metallic - The GT3 Killah!
2013 Audi S3 | Glacier White
bluelines:Grant:bluelines:Manual transmission, 1099kg and revs to 9000 rpm Too bad it is a one-off.
I think only 7,800 rpm (981 GT4 motor), but still looks very fun...
I think the tach in the photo was borrowed from the 918...
My GT4 rev’ed to 9000 rpm
Blueflame
bluelines:Grant:bluelines:Manual transmission, 1099kg and revs to 9000 rpm Too bad it is a one-off.
I think only 7,800 rpm (981 GT4 motor), but still looks very fun...
I think the tach in the photo was borrowed from the 918...
My GT4 rev’ed to 9000 rpm
How much did the rebuild cost?
18 GT3 Manual, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 16 Cayman GT4, 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
DaveC:The juxtaposition of old and new is alarming due to the size difference. Progress cannot invariably result in corpulence???
It is pretty shocking - I'm surprised Porsche would promote this obvious comparison...
18 GT3 Manual, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 16 Cayman GT4, 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
Jul 6, 2019 8:25:32 PM
Porsche Boxster Bergspyder meets the original 909 Bergspyder...
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG7UNMBNSHw