Porsche has announced that a new 911 Speedster will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October. Paying homage to the first Porsche model to bear the Speedster name – the 356 Speedster – the production run of this special car will be limited to 356 units worldwide, with approximately 100 heading to the U.S. The 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster is only the fourth model to ever bear the “Speedster” name.
2011 Porsche 911 Speedster - Only 100 Available in U.S.
The new 911 Speedster combines the classic features of the now well-known Speedster series with improved performance over the current 911 generation. The 3.8-liter flat six engine delivers 408 horsepower (hp), 23 hp more in comparison with the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, but with the same EPA fuel economy rating at 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway. It also reaches 0-60 miles per hour (mph) in 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph.
The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission transmits power to the rear axle with a limited-slip differential lock, also included as standard equipment. A six-speed manual transmission is not available. It’s also only available in real-wheel drive.
To differentiate it from other members of the 911 family, the Speedster two-seat roadster features a lower, more raked windscreen and a double-bubble hardcover for the manual soft top of the convertible. Porsche engineers also have improved the rollover protection system, which is standard in all open-top Porsche cars.
In the U.S., the 911 Carrera Speedster will be available beginning in early 2011 with an MSRP of $204,000.
The Other Speedsters
- In 1953, the Speedster series was launched as purist sports car based on the Porsche 356. It had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic windows and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen and proved to be quite popular.
- In 1988, the second Speedster, this time based on the 911 Carrera, celebrated its revival with an added feature: the characteristic double bubbles.
- In 1993-94, the next evolutionary stage of the 911 Carrera was ushered in with the third Speedster edition.