Porsche's limited run last hurrah for the 991-gen 911 has been leaked online ahead of its motor show debut
11 April 2019

Porsche will say farewell to the 991-generation 911 with a limited-production Speedster variant, which will be unveiled at next week's New York motor show

Previewed by a black and white image of the finished car leaked online by US publications, the Speedster will stay largely faithful to the concept version, bar a change in alloy wheel design. 

Confirmed for production last summer and previewed by the Speedster concept, its the return of a sought-after special variant first produced in the 1950s. 

The brand will produce 1948 examples of the Speedster, a number marking the brand's 70th anniversary last year. The thinly disguised test mules, seen testing alongside the latest 992 generation car, first showed the roof layout in detail. 

A heritage design pack adds retro-inspired flourishes to the car, and Porsche hinted that the packs would be available on other models. 

New 21in cross-spoke wheels feature and are likely to be carried over to the production version, as is the car’s 4.0-litre flat six engine, borrowed from the GT3, and manual gearbox. 

The first of the two design studies was put on display at Goodwood last year as part of Porsche's wide-ranging anniversary celebrations.

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Power output is believed to be more than 500bhp, but it's not clear yet whether Porsche will upgrade the existing GT3 engine or use the more powerful unit from the GT3 RS. Either way, it's expected to retain the same 9000rpm rev limit. 

The Speedster is the combined work of Porsche's GT division and its Exclusive arm, mixing its finest engineering department with the one responsible for bespoke designs. 

The 911 Speedster will have a lightweight tonneau cover rather than a convertible top, while other weight reduction measures include the removal of the sat-nav, audio and air-con systems. The bucket seats are made of carbonfibre.

The concept’s body is based on that of the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet but with the wings, bonnet and engine cover made from lightweight carbonfibre composite.

A rear cover, also made of carbonfibre, connects behind the front seats, covering the rollover structure and featuring a ‘double bubble’ – an iconic design element of 911 Speedster models since 1988.

The concept features details that celebrate Porsche’s early racing days, such as the 1950s-style central fuel tank cap positioned in the middle of the bonnet.

The shape of the Speedster takes influence from the original 356 1500 Speedster that has inspired 911 Speedsters for the 930, 964 and 997 generations.

The previous Speedster cost about £50,000 more than the GT3 of the time, suggesting the new model could sell for more than £155,000.

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Comments
14

9 June 2018
"Fly line" isn't a thing.

9 June 2018

OMG....how many different variants are in 911

9 August 2018

does it matter how many variants are the of the 911 Michael Joseph , becasue you cant afford one anyway, so stop complaining about something that is out of your reach

9 June 2018

 No, no it isn’t, infact of all Cars that are bedecaled this is quite restrained even the different paint job on the front works, well it works for that is.

Peter Cavellini.

8 August 2018
Peter Cavellini wrote:

 No, no it isn’t, infact of all Cars that are bedecaled this is quite restrained even the different paint job on the front works, well it works for that is.

 

What??

8 August 2018
Luap wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 No, no it isn’t, infact of all Cars that are bedecaled this is quite restrained even the different paint job on the front works, well it works for that is.

 

What??

Actually, that's quite lucid for Peter...

9 June 2018

Wow, an exquisitly detailed car, in the best tradition of German industrial design, nearly as impressive as the original TT. Not sure about the two tone paint though.

12 July 2018

This concept car would be worth hundreds of thousands, wonder how much it would take Porsche as the car is stunning and worth more, in my opinion, than a million pound Veron

typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion

jer

8 August 2018

He cost more than a million. 

9 August 2018

stunning car....any Porsche with a cropped windscreen and a rump like that makes me fizz...BUT those rear view mirrors, they're just too literally retro. The details should be within a 'family', under the same ethos: the locking wheel nuts, the fuel filler and the front headlamps for example. Whereas the mirrors are like are a bit throwback....

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