Porsche unveils light, lithe Boxster Spyder

Porsche has uncloaked the lightest, most powerful and most extreme version of its mid-engined Boxster to date. The new Spyder model will make its public debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December.

Weighing in at 1,275 kg, the Boxster Spyder is now the lightest Porsche production model. The German sports car giant created the two-seater as an homage to the legendary 550 Spyder, built back in 1953, and the open-cockpit RS Spyder Le Mans prototype.

The Boxster Spyder wears a lightweight manual soft top, extra-low side windows and a bulged rear decklid, reminiscent of the Carrera GT super car.

Power comes from a retuned version of the Boxster S’ 3.4-litre flat-six, up 10 horsepower to 320 ponies. Porsche say the Spyder has a lower centre of gravity than regular models and wears an all-new sports suspension.

Equipped with Porsche’s PDK double-clutch gearbox and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, while fuel consumption is 9.3 L/100 km (30 mpg) on the New European Driving Cycle. Top speed is 267 km/h with the roof open.

The Spyder’s interior is stripped-down. Automatic climate control and a radio are optional. The sport seats are a lightweight design with a carbon-fibre shell and larger side bolsters.  Fabric door pulls, like those in the 911 GT3 RS, replace the traditional door handles.

Unlike the special-edition 550 Spyder and RS60 Spyder models introduced in 2004 and 2008, the new Boxster Spyder is a regular production model. It goes on sale in February 2010 at $72,900.