A 500 HORSEPOWER OPEN-AIR THRILL RIDE
World premiere at the “70 years of Porsche Sports Cars” celebration
Atlanta, Georgia. Porsche unveiled a thrilling concept as part of the 70th anniversary of its sports cars: the 911 Speedster Concept is a drivable vision of a particularly exciting open-top sports car. It links the very first Porsche 356 “No. 1” Roadster, which received its operating permit on June 8, 1948, with today’s Porsche cars. The purist concept and historically accurate execution of the 911 Speedster Concept clearly reflect the essence of the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer. All elements of the car emphasize a pure driving experience. The powertrain under the two-tone painted body of the concept is derived from current GT models. It was developed at the Porsche Motorsport Center in Weissach, which is the birthplace of the 911 GT3, the 911 GT2 RS and, most recently, the 911 GT3 RS. The 911 Speedster Concept celebrated its world premiere as part of the official “70 years of Porsche Sports Cars” anniversary celebrationThe in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
The characteristics of the 911 Speedster Concept include a shorter windshield frame with a greater windscreen angle and shorter side windows. These features give the concept an even more pronounced stance with a very low fly line, which is reminiscent of its predecessors, for example the Porsche 356 Speedster. A special rear decklid made of carbon fiber connects behind the front seats, covering supplemental safety bars and featuring two “streamliners”, a traditional element of this sports car design since the first 911 Speedster was introduced in 1988. Two contrasting black slats between the “streamliners” add an aerodynamic touch, and a transparent Plexiglas™ wind deflector features an etched ‘70 years of Porsche’ logo.
Like the historic original, the 911 Speedster Concept also features a lightweight tonneau cover in place of a convertible top. This cover protects the interior from rain when parked and is attached using eight Tenax™ fasteners. The Speedster philosophy also defines the interior, where the navigation, radio and air conditioning systems have all been removed to reduce weight. The Full Bucket Seats are made of carbon fiber, and light brown natural leather in Cognac picks up on features from the car’s classic predecessors.
The body of the concept car was adopted from the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. The fenders, front trunk lid and the rear decklid cover of the concept are made of light-weight carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite material. Traditional GT Silver Metallic and White paintwork harks back to Porsche’s early race cars – as do many of the other carefully crafted details, such as the 50s-style central fuel tank cap positioned in the front trunk lid, the classic Talbot® shape of the exterior mirrors or the unique design of the headlights. Transparent and opaque surfaces on the headlight covers resemble the shape of an “X” and are a nod to a practice prevalent in Porsche’s early years in motorsport. At the time, the headlights were taped up before races to protect them against stone chipping and to prevent the glass from shattering. The wide B-pillars and the rear fascia are decorated with milled, gold-plated Speedster lettering.
Underneath the skin, the 911 Speedster Concept features state-of-the-art components. The chassis is essentially derived from the 911 GT3. Imposing 21-inch Fuchs-design rims with contrasting high gloss polished petals details are unique to the 911 Speedster Concept. It is the first time that Fuchs-design wheels have been fitted with center locks. The GT development department also supplies the exhaust system with titanium tailpipes and the powertrain, which includes a six-speed manual transmission. The naturally aspirated flat-six engine in this minimalist concept study delivers over 500 horsepower and revs up to 9,000 rpm.
The history of Porsche Speedster models began in the United States
Speedster variants of sports car models, which combine open-top driving pleasure with incredibly distinctive driving dynamics, have been part of the Porsche company history since 1952. The forefather of Porsche Speedster models, the 356 1500 America Roadster, had an aluminum body manufactured entirely by hand. It weighed about 130 pounds (60 kilograms) less than the 356 Coupe and its top track speed of 108 miles per hour (175 km/h) with its 70-hp four-cylinder flat engine was impressive at the time. Featuring slot-in curtain windows for the doors, a folding top and lightweight bucket seats, this car developed exclusively for the US market was built just 16 times and already embodied several key elements of the Speedster design.
By 2010, eight different production and special models bearing the “Speedster” name had been created. The 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster represented a highlight in 1957, and the first 911 Speedster followed in 1988. Limited to just 356 units worldwide, the 911 Speedster of the 997 generation built in 2010 was the latest model to be fitted with the famous designation.
“70 years of Porsche Sports Cars” – special exhibition and numerous activities
In a special exhibition at the Porsche Museum, the company is now showcasing numerous stories and milestones with which Porsche has decisively influenced the development of the sports car since 1948 and continues to do so today, highlighting outstanding Porsche developments over the past seven decades.
The sports car manufacturer is also celebrating this anniversary with numerous activities around the world throughout 2018. Tomorrow, June 9, Porsche will be inviting fans to its Sportscar Together Day at all of its sites around the world. During the weekend of June 16–17, the sports car manufacturer will host employees, residents of the Zuffenhausen district and prospective customers at a celebration in and around the factory in Stuttgart.
The Festival of Speed, held from July 12–15 at Goodwood in the U.K., will also celebrate the anniversary, as will Rennsport Reunion VI at the legendary Laguna Seca racetrack in California from September 27–30. The celebrations will conclude with the “Sound Night” event, which will be held for the first time in the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart on October 13.
Gallery form the 2018 Paris Motor Show
PORSCHE 911 SPEEDSTER CONCEPT FASCINATES U.S. AUDIENCE
North American premiere at Rennsport Reunion VI in California
Atlanta, Georgia. The Porsche 911 Speedster Concept received an enthusiastic welcome at its third public appearance. Following its world premiere on June 8 in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany, as part of the “70 years of Porsche Sports Cars” anniversary celebration, and first demonstration drives at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, the open-top concept car is now celebrating its U.S. debut at Rennsport Reunion VI in California. The 911 Speedster Concept is based on the current 991 generation and offers a preview of a potential new equipment range from the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. With Heritage Design packages, the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer is considering providing a modern interpretation of the distinctive themes and colors of its history from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. In addition to the 911 Speedster Concept, Porsche is presenting another unique product at the Laguna Seca Raceway as part of Rennsport Reunion VI: the Porsche Design ‘911 Speedster’ concept chronograph. A decision about a possible production version of the 911 Speedster Concept will be made very soon.
Painted in a two-tone GT Silver Metallic and White, the concept car reflects the core of the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer in precise clarity and historically accurate design. It was developed at Porsche Motorsport in close cooperation with Style Porsche and the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. It is powered by a naturally aspirated flat-six engine developing over 500 horsepower and capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels by a six-speed manual transmission. The development focus was on creating a pure and exhilarating driving experience.
Strong partnership: Top performance meets fine craftsmanship
The cooperation between Porsche Motorsport and the Exclusive Manufaktur for the 911 Speedster Concept – as the first glimpse of a forthcoming Heritage design strategy – has historical roots, as the two divisions have the same origins. Porsche Exclusive once fulfilled special requests from racing customers, such as the legendary 935 Street designed with a flat nose. The last joint project between Porsche Motorsport and Porsche Exclusive was the Porsche 911 Turbo S Lightweight (Type 964) in 1992. With the expansion of motorsports at the Porsche AG Weissach Development Center, the two divisions parted ways. As specialists in manufacturing individually crafted vehicles, Porsche Exclusive concentrated on individual customer requests and limited production runs, exhibiting a great passion and attention to detail. Milestones include the 911 Sport Classic of 2009 and the 911 Speedster of 2010, of which only 356 were built. For the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, one-off product details are almost always possible, provided that they are within the boundaries of applicable regulations and that Porsche AG’s requirements relating to quality and long service life are met.
Meticulously executed details of the 911 Speedster Concept clearly demonstrate just how well the revitalized collaboration between Porsche Motorsport and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur works. The handcrafted two-tone paintwork, together with the so-called ‘spears’ on the front fenders, reference the brand’s racing history. The same applies to the fuel tank cap positioned in the middle of the front lid in 1950s style, the exterior mirrors in the classic Talbot® shape, and the special design of the headlights. The transparent and opaque surfaces of the headlight covers resemble the shape of an “X” – a further nod to the early years of Porsche in motorsport, when headlights were taped to protect the glass from stone chips and breakage. Both the wide B-pillars and the rear end are decorated with milled and gold-plated Speedster lettering, also a nod to the past.
Tribute to a dream: 911 Speedster concept chronograph by Porsche Design
Porsche Design has created a special timepiece for the new 911 Speedster Concept: the ‘911 Speedster’ concept chronograph. Just like the vehicle, it is initially a one-off; subsequent production is currently under consideration. The chronograph case is made of a lightweight titanium, with a black titanium carbide coating to highlight its sporty design. The matte-black dial – similar to the instrument cluster of the 911 Speedster Concept – is characterized by its excellent readability. Instead of a small second hand, a function display with ‘911 Speedster’ lettering positioned at 9 o’clock indicates that the movement is running. As a special gesture on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Porsche Sports Cars, the ‘70’ on the tachymeter is high-lighted in a contrasting color. The leather strap matches the color and material of the interior of the concept vehicle.
The timepiece is powered by the first independently developed Porsche Design calibre, the Werk 01.200 with flyback function, load path optimized movement bridge and official COSC certification. The Swiss movement is the result of three years of development and state-of-the-art manufacturing methods, and impresses with precision, functionality and performance.
Looking back: Speedster models from Porsche made their debut 66 years ago
Various Speedster models have been part of Porsche company history since 1952. They combine open-top driving pleasure with outstanding driving dynamics. The forefather of these models is the 356 1500 America Roadster, whose aluminum body was manufactured entirely by hand. It weighed about 130 pounds (60 kilograms) less than the 356 Coupe, and its top track speed of 108 mph (175 km/h) with its 70 hp flat-four engine was impressive at the time. That exclusive car was built only 16 times, and already featured key elements of the Speedster design with slot-in windows for the doors, a folding rain-cover top, and lightweight bucket seats.
Porsche produced the significantly less expensive Speedster version in 1954, and quickly caused a sensation in the world of motorsports. For the first time, it combined the sheet steel body of the coupe with a flat windshield, reduced interior equipment, and a rain top. In the U.S., the 356 1500 Speedster cost less than 3,000 dollars and became an instant hit, particularly in places like California. Hollywood icon James Dean was also an enthusiastic racing driver and chose this purist model, which is dedicated solely to the sheer pleasure of driving. Other variants followed. The model reached its peak in 1957 with the 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster.
It was not until 1988 that a 911 Speedster variant was introduced, serving as the crowning highlight of the outgoing G-model generation. It was based on the air-cooled 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine with up to 231 horsepower and – unlike the 911 Speedster Clubsport concept car previously shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show – featured a wide turbo look. At the same time, 161 units with a regular Carrera body were also produced. They were intended for export and are particularly prized by collectors today.
Between 1992 and 1993, 930 units of the 911 Carrera 2 Speedster of the 964 generation rolled off the production line. This time, the Turbo body was more rare with only 15 vehicles produced in this body style.
Even rarer is the opulent 911 Carrera Speedster based on the 993 generation model. Only two of this model were developed by the Porsche Exclusive department – one for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and one for a collector. Customers didn’t get their hands on a Speedster version of the 911 again until 2010, when it debuted as a limited production run from Porsche Exclusive based on the 997 model generation. The sports car with the shortened windshield was produced in a strictly limited edition of 356 units.
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