Car of the Day - Porsche Boxster Spyder

Car of the Day - Porsche Boxster Spyder

Porsche for the 2010 model year will introduce a new model to the Boxster range. The new Boxster Spyder will be unveiled at the 2009 Los Angeles Motor Show in December and set to slot in above the existing Boxster and Boxster S.

The Spyder harks back to Porsche roots and conceptually the original Spyder, the 550. Creature comforts take a step back in favour of lightness and performance. At just 1,275 kg or 2,811 lb, and with the warmed 3.4-litre Direct Fuel Injection six-cylinder delivering 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S at 320 bhp the new Spyder should give a driving experience worthy of the Spyder name.

Weight saving measures have been ruthless - and roofless, with the Spyder getting no more than a temporary canvas softtop. Designed as a purists open air car, the light and low profile soft top extends to the rear over the driver and passenger streamlined headrest humps reminiscent of the Carrera GT. The Boxster S with PDK is stated as 1455 kg so Porsche have managed to subtract 180 kg. The weight removal is not the only weight advantage the Spyder gets however as the centre of gravity now sits lower.

Porsche state an all-new sports suspension however details are not presented as yet. Performance figures given are 0 to 100 km/h of at 4.8 seconds with launch control and a top speed of 267 km/h or 166 mph - with the roof open.

Work on the engine has not only delivered 10 extra bhp but also (allow with the weight reduction) helped deliver fuel consumption figures of 9.3 litres on 100 kilometres (equal to 30.4 mpg) in the NEDC New European Driving Cycle.

The new Spyder is much more focused than the 2008 Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder and the purist Boxster ever form Porsche

The new model is entering the market in February 2010 with a base price of 53,100 Euro. Including 19 per cent VAT and national specifications, the market price of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder will be 63,404 Euro

Rod Halligan