Porsche Boxster Spyder Revealed - World Premiere in Los Angeles

Set to go on sale in February

By Michael Gauthier
November 5, 2009 12:35 PM
Filed Under: German, Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche

Porsche has released the first images and details about the 2010 Boxster Spyder.

Described as the "...purist form of the Porsche sports car - light, powerful, consistently open, and very efficient", the Spyder is powered by a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 320 hp (10 hp more than the Boxster S). Backed up by the optional PDK (Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) transmission, the Spyder accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds before topping out at 267 km/h (166 mph) - with the roof down. If that isn't impressive enough, the roadster consumes just 9.3L/100km (30.4 mpg) in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

To further maximize the Spyder's sporting prowess, Porsche put the car on a diet (it only weighs 1,275 kg / 2,811 lbs which makes it the lightest model in the Porsche lineup), lowered the center of gravity, and added an all-new sports suspension.

In terms of styling, the car features a unique soft top, extra-low side windows, and two rear deck lid bulges which are meant to resemble the ones used on the Carrera GT. Other design touches include modified front and rear bumpers, 10-spoke alloy wheels, and revised air intakes. Inside, the roadster boasts an exclusive interior with sport seats, 'Boxster Spyder' branded scuff plates, and a body-color center console.

Set to debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show, the Boxster Spyder will go on sale in February 2010 for €53,100 (€63,404 in Germany, after a 19 percent VAT and country-specific features are applied).

Source: Porsche

Press Release (Click to expand)

Purist Mid-Engined Roadster is the Lightest Porsche

Light, Efficient, Open: Boxster Spyder Making World Debut in Los Angeles

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is introducing a new top version of the Porsche Boxster, a light mid-engined roadster making its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December.

Weighing just 1,275 kg or 2,811 lb, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest model throughout the entire range of Porsche cars. Clearly recognisable right from the start, this new mid-engined roadster represents the true, purist form of the Porsche sports car - light, powerful, consistently open, and very efficient.

This is precisely the formula already applied in creating Porsche's most successful road-going sports and racing cars, ranging from the legendary 550 Spyder all the way to the RS Spyder so successful in motorsport today.

The Boxster Spyder now continues this clear-cut philosophy with full homologation for the road, thus reflecting a common wish expressed by Porsche customers. The new model is entering the market in February 2010 as the third version in the Boxster range, joining the Boxster and Boxster S.

The new member of the Boxster family stands out clearly at very first sight from the other versions of Porsche's mid-engined roadster. Quite simply because the Boxster Spyder has been developed first and foremost for driving in the open air, the low-slung, light soft top extending far to the rear serving exclusively to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather. When closed, the soft top, together with the extra-low side windows and the two striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, boasts a stretched and sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

Significantly less weight than the Boxster S, a lower centre of gravity and an all-new sports suspension give the Boxster Spyder the right kind of driving dynamics clearly reflecting the unique look of the car.

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-litre six-cylinder with Direct Fuel Injection upfront of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S.

Equipped with PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Again with optional PDK, fuel consumption is a mere 9.3 litres on 100 kilometres (equal to 30.4 mpg imp) in the NEDC New European Driving Cycle. Top speed, in turn, is 267 km/h or 166 mph - with the roof open.

In terms of its fundamental concept, the entire Boxster family is the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder built back in 1953, both models sharing the same mid-engine roadster concept, low weight, back-to-the-roots lifestyle, and supreme agility combined with equally outstanding driving pleasure.

The 550 Spyder was the first sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen developed specifically for racing but also homologated for the road. In the years following its production, this unique Spyder weighing only 550 kg or 1,213 lb, scored numerous victories on race circuits and in the road races so popular at the time.

The 550 Spyder was followed by other extremely successful Porsche Spyders such as the 718 RS 60 in 1960.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche dedicated a limited edition of special Boxsters bearing the additional name Spyder to these legendary racing cars. By contrast, the new Boxster Spyder is a regular, specially developed and upgraded production model with far-reaching modifications versus the Boxster and Boxster S.

Market introduction of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder will start worldwide in February 2010. The base price in the Euro countries is 53,100 Euro. Including 19 per cent VAT and national specifications, the market price of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder is 63,404 Euro.

 

Comments

ceven
November 5, 2009 12:41 PM
Looks good to me, the rear view evokes memories of the CGT.

carbonfibreguy
November 6, 2009 1:42 AM
makes me almost want to go steal a CGT and this...both equally sexy!!!

9TNine
November 5, 2009 12:55 PM
wasn't the Boxster always a "Spyder"?

clash_189
November 5, 2009 1:00 PM
Yeah Therefore, the article title is making me confuse. The coupe is called as Cayman, so why put "spyder" as an extension name just like BMW X6 X drive, it doesn't make sense, full stop.

ceven
November 5, 2009 1:08 PM
Well... I think the Boxster is a "Roadster", thus a Spyder per se, but I always felt like a Spyder was more dedicated to the open-top experience, more radical.

scratchy996
November 5, 2009 1:10 PM
Boxster is a Roadster, a Spyder is a car that's always open , like the 550 in the first picture.

dbehmoaras
November 5, 2009 6:09 PM
At scratchy: What about the Gallardo Spyder or F430 Spyder? You can close those.

MTC
November 5, 2009 8:08 PM
Those which can't close should be Roadsters, Pagani Zonda Roadster and Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster are few examples, but the rule is broken by almost all other Roadsters on sale, which is now very confusing

scratchy996
November 5, 2009 10:17 PM
@dbehmoaras , i'm talking about the original designation, naming conventions have changed because "Spyder" sounds cool. same with some sedans being called 4 door coupes nowadays.

chris25
November 5, 2009 1:02 PM
Please remove that roof top otherwise it will spoil the design but this car looks pure beauty from all the sides.

nederina
November 5, 2009 1:18 PM
Why would you want to pay more for an impractical Boxster S with a plastered engine cover - and when they say lighter than a Boxster S, meaning you have to pay more to spec up the car.

zeitgeist_md
November 5, 2009 3:05 PM
A condensed Carrera GT.

A spyder looks more integrated than a roadster when the roof is down and a spyder looks more like that it is designed to be without the roof.

Porsche already put a web special online.

see: http://www.porsche.com/usa/


Edited by user on November 5, 2009 at 3:08 PM
jerry05cod4
November 5, 2009 4:55 PM
agree... the back most certainly is almost identical to the carrera gt

Siawa
November 5, 2009 4:54 PM
O I like the lights(head/tail) a lot.

N20_Purge
November 5, 2009 5:49 PM
Oooh, I love it. It is so classic and modern at the same time!

catchmyshadow
November 5, 2009 6:08 PM
@Brian WCF, here are 2 videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LTiT6tXHY0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3mfViT8qLs

GTurbo
November 5, 2009 6:26 PM
Boxster GT would have been better than 'Spyder'. Roof up spoils the profile awkwardly from all angles, but topless, it's an eye-catching spawn from the new, affordable Porsche variant. Handling dynamics and soundtrack should be familiar territory; simply superb. Great headlights and rear light cluster designs too.

nederina
November 5, 2009 8:48 PM
If I were them, I would create the mesh wires or an exposed engine cover like the carrera gt.

scratchy996
November 5, 2009 10:21 PM
good idea, but you won't be able see much of the boxer engine anyway.

Shyne
November 5, 2009 9:15 PM
oh, a baby gt...sexy

HEMI426
November 5, 2009 9:33 PM
The roof looks rubbish

GuyOh
November 5, 2009 10:47 PM
with the top up, it looks hideous!!!

top down, looks sexy!!!!

scratchy996
November 5, 2009 11:27 PM
the roof wasn't a priority. it's just a piece of cloth , it doesn't even close in the back.

johnakis
November 6, 2009 1:19 AM
the roof is ugly!!!!!!!but the hole car i can say that is nice!

BabyMilo
November 9, 2009 12:43 AM
gahhh the change is it so radical

08_022
November 11, 2009 11:38 PM
it looks kinda ...gothic from the front if you know what i mean. but still looks awsome, better than any other Boxter/Cayman.


Edited by user on November 11, 2009 at 11:39 PM
08_022
November 11, 2009 11:44 PM
it looks kinda ...gothic from the front. but still looks awsome, beatter than any other Boxter/Cayman.

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