The New Porsche Boxster Spyder

A lightweight version of the mid-engined Porsche Boxster roadster, the Spyder represents the true, purist form of the Porsche sports car - light, powerful, open-roofed, and very efficient.

This is precisely the formula already applied in creating the most successful road-going sports and racing cars throughout the history of Porsche, ranging from the legendary 550 Spyder of the 1950s to the RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype race car so successful in motorsport today.

Weighing 1,275 kg, the Porsche Boxster Spyder is the lightest model in the Porsche line-up, and continues this clear-cut philosophy in a package offering full homologation for the road, and fulfilling a popular wish expressed by Porsche customers.

While the overall objective behind the Porsche Boxster Spyder was to improve performance, this has been achieved in an intelligent way, not simply by boosting engine power. Instead, every detail was scrutinised to deliver the required dynamic responses, with the driver's needs - as is typical of Porsche - the primary focus.

The purist qualities of the Spyder are delivered by a comprehensive programme of lightweight features:

• manual fabric roof with carbon fibre front frame reduces the Porsche Spyder's weight by 21 kg
• aluminium doors similar to those on the 911 Turbo and GT3 saves 15 kg
• the use of an aluminium rear engine cover saves 3 kg
• since the Porsche Spyder was designed for sporty open-top driving, the air conditioning has been removed and saves 12 kg
• using lightweight carbon fibre sports bucket seats saves 12 kg
• the fuel tank has a capacity of 54 litres, 10 litres fewer than standard Porsche Boxster, saving 7 kg
• the lightweight design of the 19" Spyder alloy wheels saves 5 kg
• there is no radio and a smaller battery, saving approximately 3 kg
• dispensing with cup holders and using lightweight interior door trims with door opening loops saves 2 kg

The interior of the Porsche Boxster Spyder has been adopted from the Porsche Boxster S, but re-worked with particular emphasis on purism, ergonomics and authenticity. Finished mainly in black, the cockpit is complemented by features in exterior colour and highlights in red. Of particular note is the omission of the instrument cowl above the dials, which lowers weight and also sends out a clear puristic signal

The Porsche Boxster Spyder features a tuned version of the proven 3.4-litre flat six 'boxer' engine with Direct Fuel Injection, which is mounted amidships ahead of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S. As standard, the Spyder features a six-speed manual gearbox, but the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch transmission is available as an option. When equipped with PDK and the optional Sports Chrono Package, the new Porsche Spyder, using Launch Control, can accelerate from a standstill to 62mph in 4.8 seconds. Again with optional PDK, fuel consumption is a mere 30.4mpg (9.3 litres/100km) in the NEDC New European Driving Cycle and top speed, in turn, is 166 mph (267 km/h) - with the roof removed.

Market introduction of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder started worldwide in February 2010, and the car is priced from £46,387 in the UK. Standard specification on every Spyder includes 6-speed manual transmission, 19" Boxster Spyder alloy wheels, manual two-piece hood comprising sunshield and weather protector, wind deflector, sports chassis lowered by 20 mm, lightweight carbon fibre sports bucket seats trimmed in Alcantara/leather, Porsche Stability Management (PSM), 3-spoke sports steering wheel, fixed rear spoiler, and heat insulating glass.