Porsche AG is introducing a new top version of the Porsche Boxster, a (very) light mid-engined roadster, which will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December this year: the Boxster Spyder.

Weighing just 1,275 kg or 2,811 lb, this Porsche is the lightest model through-out the entire range .  The new model is entering the market in February 2010 as the third version in the Boxster range, joining the Boxster and Boxster S.

We show you some photos of this purists’ dream…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Pure thoroughbred…

The new member of the Boxster family stands out clearly from the other versions of Porsche's mid-engined roadster.

Simply because the Boxster Spyder has been developed first and foremost for driving in the open air.

The low-slung, light soft top extends far to the rear, serving exclusively to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather. When closed, the soft top, together with the extra-low side windows and the two striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, boasts a stretched and sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

The legendary example: the Porsche 550 Spyder...

Weighing significantly less than the Boxster S, the Spyder has also a lower centre of gravity and an all-new sports suspension. Needless to say that this gives the Boxster Spyder the right kind of driving dynamics which is reflected in the unique look of the car.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche dedicated a limited edition of special Boxsters bearing the additional name Spyder to these legendary racing cars 

With power to match…  

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-litre six-cylinder with Direct Fuel Injection sitting right in front of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S.

Equipped with PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Again with the optional PDK, fuel consumption is a mere 9.3 litres on 100 kilometres (equal to 30.4 mpg imp) in the NEDC New European Driving Cycle. The top speed, in turn, is 267 km/h or 166 mph - with the roof open…

The cockpit of the new Boxter Spyder evokes the purposeful austerity of the original 550 spyder...

In terms of its fundamental concept, the entire Boxster family is the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder built back in 1953, both models sharing the same mid-engine roadster concept, low weight, back-to-the-roots lifestyle, and supreme agility combined with equally outstanding driving pleasure.

The D'Ieteren Mueum houses a magnificent example of the 550 Spyder, and we could not resist including a photograph of its dashboard, beautiful in its purposeful simplicity... note the similar instrument lay-out!  

The 550 Spyder was the first sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen developed specifically for racing but also homologated for the road. In the years following its production, this unique Spyder weighing only 550 kg or 1,213 lb, scored numerous victories on race circuits and in the road races so popular at the time.

In the Porsche museum the timelessly beautiful and pure spyders are shown... in front on the right is the 718 RS in all its former glory...

The 550 Spyder was followed by other extremely successful Porsche Spyders such as the 718 RS 60 in 1960.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche already dedicated a limited edition of special Boxsters bearing the additional name Spyder. But his new Boxster Spyder is a specially developed and upgraded production model with far-reaching modifications compared with the Boxster and Boxster S.

Market introduction of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder will start worldwide in February 2010. The base price in the Euro countries is 53,100 Euro. Including 19 per cent VAT and national specifications, the market price of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder is 63,404 Euro.

Just a few months’ patience and the purists can really have a go… but can in the meantime look at these mouthwatering photos…

Hans Knol ten Bensel