2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Porsche AG is at it again. This time around the boys at Zuffenhausen sprinkle their special edition magic on their facelifted (2nd generation 987 series) Boxster S, creating another Spyder variant: aptly named the Porsche Boxster Spyder.

Powered by the similar state-of-tune 3.4L naturally-aspirated Boxer-6 found in the Cayman S, the Boxster Spyder has a peak output of 320hp instead 310hp in the standard Boxster S. The Spyder will zip from standstill to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds when specified with Porsche Doppel Kupplungsgetriebe (PDK) twin-clutch gearbox, along with the (extra cost option) Sports Chrono Package. Terminal velocity is a lofty 267 km/h. In comparison, the standard Boxster S does the same century sprint in 5.0 seconds. Just how well the lightened and simplified pull-over canvas roof takes to this Vmax is anybody's guess. Yes, the regular electric folding top has gone the way of weight saving.




The most noticeable differences on the Spyder are the new 'double-bubble' rear deck, reprofiled front bumper, a set of newly designed alloy wheels and a large fixed rear spoiler.

Also obliterated in the interest of excess fab shedding are the standard Boxster's daytime running lights and fog lamps. The cabin has been stripped out of any "excessive" equipments like audio system and air conditioning. Both these items however, can be refitted as cost options! The interior also gets a pair of seat-belt like strips as door pulls instead of the regular metal door opening handles. In addition, there is also a pair of sport bucket seats of lightweight carbon-fibre construction.

After all these 'dieting' measures, this special edition Boxster manage to shed 80 kg off a regular Boxster S. To be exact, the Spyder tips the weighing scale at 1,275 kg.

Reliving a legacy harking back to the days of the iconic Porsche 550 Spyder from the 1950s, the 2010 Boxster Spyder essentially replaces the standard Boxster's electrically retractable soft-top with a simple and lightweight pull-over contraption that hooks up onto the windshield frame. It also sports rear double-humps just distal to the roll-over hoops, with a sloping contour reminiscent of the Carrera GT.






The new Boxster Spyder is slated for worldwide launch sometime February 2010. Base price starts at €53,100 (US$78,400) in Europe. Would the price be hovering near a standard Cayman S with PDK (RM665,000) if this is at all made available in Malaysia next year?