Lightweight 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder to debut at LA Auto Show, price and details now

November 5, 2:28 PMAuto Review ExaminerJohn Matras

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Auto Review Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The definition of "sports car" and what cars qualify as such is and has been the subject of conversation, argument and debate for as long as the term has been in use--which is probably a subject for discussion as well--but if there's one car that qualifies, it's the original 1953 550 Spyder and the RS 60. And now the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder.

Announced today and to be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in early December, the Boxster is what its name suggests, lightweight version of the basic Porsche Boxster. Coming in at a mere 2,811 pounds, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest Porsche available.
 

To get down to that weight, the Boxster Spyder sheds luxury items such as the lined convertible top with its glass rear window "for a low-slung, lightweight soft top – when closed – extends far to the rear to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather."

Porsche calls the two-piece top a sun shield and weather protector, and claims that with the top erected and the windows raised, the Porsche Boxster Spyder is fully weather tight. The only power operation, however, comes from the one person it takes to put it up, or take it down and stow it in the rear trunk.

View the photo gallery for more pictures of the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder.

Additional weight savings come from aluminum door skins and lightweight interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS (for a 33 pounds weight reduction). Porsche also skips the audio (saves 6.6 lbs) and air conditioning (26 pounds, gone), and uses strap door pulls for weight reduction and that stripped down, track ready look. And did we mention no cupholders?

The 19-inch wheels are the lightest of any of that size used by Porsche, with remarkably airy spokes.
Porsche says the reduced weight also lowers the Boxster Spyder's center of gravity, as if that were needed, as does a suspension system recalibration that lowers the Boxster Spyder by 10mm (0.4 inches).

In addition to the 176 pounds weight saved from the Porsche Boxster S, the engine from the Boxster S gets a 10 horsepower boost, up to 320 horsepower. It all translates into an increase in straight line performance. Says Porsche:

"When equipped with Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top track speed is 166 mph – with the roof open."

Braking and cornering are also improved by having less poundage to haul about, which will, as they say, pay dividends all the way around the track. Speaking of which, the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will carry have a price of $61,200, which compares to the base Boxster at $47,600 and the Boxster at $58,000. The 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will be in dealer showrooms in February. The Boxster Spyder will not be limited production; Porsche will build as many as you can buy.

The Porsche Boxster Spyder will be easy to spot. First there are a pair of large fairings behind the headrests and along the sides.

The Boxster Spyder will be available in three standard Porsche solid colors and three standard metallic colors, plus a unique cream white. And of course with the top up--there are special short-height side windows for weather protection--the Porsche Boxster Spyder will be unmistakable.

If anything is certain, the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will be a sports car, with no argument or debate but, we'll bet, a lot of discussion.

Illustration: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder. Photo credit Porsche Cars North America.

Subscribe to email alerts of new articles by John Matras, or follow John on twitter @AutoReview.