The Definitive Porsche Roadster - The New Boxster Spyder
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READING, UNITED KINGDOM – March 25, 2010: 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 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.
The new model becomes the third version in the Boxster range, joining the Boxster and Boxster S, yet at first sight stands out clearly from the other models. This is quite simply because the Spyder has been developed essentially for driving in the open air.
Bold and sporty styling
The Boxster Spyder is first and
foremost a Boxster – but interpreted in a totally new way. The purist
character of the car is evident at first sight, with particular emphasis on
the two-seater roadster design with its mid-engine. The new, elegantly long
rear lid, together with new wheels and distinctive styling touches inside
and out, give the car an absolutely unique look.
The low-slung, lightweight soft top extends far to the rear at a distinctive angle and serves to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and rain. When closed, the soft top, together with the bespoke, shallower side windows and the two unique striking bulges on the single-piece rear engine cover, boasts a stretched and sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT super sports car.
And classic Porsche logos run along the bottom of each door as a leitmotif inspired by earlier Porsche Spyder race cars.
The main objective of the Porsche Design Studio in creating the Boxster Spyder was to make the classic design of the current Boxster S even purer and to make clear reference to classic Porsche racing cars. Great importance was placed on emphasising the car’s functions. The design of the manual roof is intended not only to perfect the silhouette but also to meet the basic needs of the passengers in bad weather. For this reason, the top speed with the hood raised is limited to 124mph.
Two convex curves running lengthwise in the completely new aluminium rear lid, the fixed rear spoiler and a modified front spoiler lip help to optimise the car’s aerodynamics. As you would expect, the aerodynamic qualities of the Boxster Spyder have been honed for superior driving dynamics. The aerodynamic Cd rating of 0.30 is identical to the Boxster S, while the drag (Cd x A) is in fact lower due to the smaller frontal area. The excellent aerodynamics makes a significant contribution to the agility of the car at speed, and also to low fuel consumption.
Significantly, the Spyder weighs 80kg less than the Boxster S which, combined with a lower centre of gravity and revised chassis settings, gives the Boxster Spyder the calibre of driving dynamics that clearly reflect the unique look of the car.
Higher performance through intelligent weight reduction
While
the overall objective behind the 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 obvious point of difference between the Boxster Spyder and its siblings is its manual roof instead of an electric folding one, and the use of a large aluminium rear lid, that not only creates that essential ‘speedster’ look, but also contributes to the car’s lightweight character and thrilling performance.
The purist qualities of the Spyder are delivered by a comprehensive
programme of lightweight features:
The interior of the Boxster Spyder has been adopted from the 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
Chassis tuned for even sharper handling
As is evident,
systematic lightweight design sets the Boxster Spyder apart, and delivers
an excellent power-to-weight ratio of 4 kg/hp (9 per cent better than a
Boxster S) that manifests itself in remarkable performance, culminating in
a lap time around the Nurburgring Nordschleife seven seconds quicker than
that of a Boxster S.
The specially adapted chassis of the Boxster Spyder gives the car its more dynamic character. Lowering the entire body by 20mm contributes further to the car’s lower centre of gravity and the combined use of modified anti-roll bars and even stiffer spring/damper units significantly increases the performance potential. This is supported by a front track width increased by 4mm and an 8mm wider rear track. A mechanically locking differential is fitted as standard, and delivers significantly improved traction on changing road surfaces and when cornering at the extreme limits of performance. Locking values are 22 per cent under power and 27 per cent in overrun.
Although delivering a firmer and sporty chassis set-up, the Boxster Spyder retains a remarkably compliant ride; not least as a result of the tyre pressures being able to be set slightly lower due to the weight reduction measures.
More power from classic flat six engine
The 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 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.
The outstanding driving dynamics and steering precision of the Boxster Spyder achieves a standard never before seen in any Boxster. The car’s lightweight construction, combined with the increase in performance and modifications of the chassis, offers not only superior driving pleasure, but also a level of performance quite unique in the market.
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.
Included in the purchase price is the invitation for customers to explore the dynamic attributes of their Boxster Spyder, and develop their own skills behind the wheel, courtesy of a Driving Experience Programme at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone.
