PORSCHE

SPEEDSTER CONCEPT: OPEN BODY AND 500 HP

Porsche will be giving itself a great gift for the 70th anniversary of its sports cars: the 911 Speedster Concept is a conceptual study ready to ride on the road in an open and particularly fascinating sports car. It creates a link between the very first Porsche 356 Roadster 'No. 1', which received its operating permission on June 8, 1948, and the current Porsche cars. With its pure concept and historically accurate performance, the 911 Speedster accurately and clearly reflects the brand essence of the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer. A pure driving experience is the main emphasis of the car. The technology under the two-body concept car body is derived from the current GT models.It was developed at the Porsche Motorsport Center, birthplace of the 911 GT2 RS and, more recently, the GT3 RS. The 911 Speedster Concept celebrated its world premiere as part of the official celebrations of Porsche's 70th anniversary in Zuffenhausen. The conceptual study allows a forecast of a potential version for series production, although this model can not be presented until 2019. A decision on its manufacture will be made in the coming months.

The features of the 911 Speedster Concept include the shorter window frame, with a tilted windshield and consequently smaller side windows. These items give the sports car study an even more compact profile with a very low contour line, reminiscent of its predecessors, such as the Porsche 356 1500 Speedster. A special carbon fiber tailgate is located just behind the front seats, covering an anti-slip protection structure and creating a 'double bubble', a traditional element of this sports car since the 1988 Speedster 911. Two contrasting black openings between the 'protrusions' add an aerodynamic touch and a transparent Plexiglas wind deflector brings the '70 years of Porsche' logo engraved.Like its historic original, the 911 Speedster Concept also features light tonneau (horizontal) cover instead of a convertible top. This cover protects the car's interior from rain when parked and is secured by eight Tenax tabs. The low-weight principles of the Speedster philosophy continue in the interior, where navigation, radio and air-conditioning systems have all been eliminated. The integral shell-type seats are made of carbon and the light brown Aniline leather cover in the Cognac 356 color lends ares to its classic predecessor.



The wide body of the concept car derives from the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, although the mudguards, front hood and rear cover of the concept are made of light composite material of carbon fiber. The painting in the traditional GT and White Silver colors reminiscent of Porsche's first racing cars - as well as many of the other carefully crafted details, like the 1950s-style gasoline tank top, positioned in the middle of the front hood, the Talbot's classic external mirror format and the unique design of the headlamps. Opaque and transparent surfaces on the headlight covers create a cross-effect and are also a tribute to a common practice in Porsche's early years in motorsports. At the time, the original headlights were protected by adhesive tapes before the races so as not to flake due to stones and to prevent the glass from shattering. The large B and rear columns are decorated with the gold-plated Speedster sign.

Under the body, the 911 Speedster Concept is based on state-of-the-art components. The chassis comes essentially from the 911 GT3, with contrasting details in shamrock leaf with polish in high gloss on the imposing wheels with Fuchs design. This is the first time these wheels are made with central locking (a single nut). The GT designers also contributed the titanium-tipped exhaust system and the powertrain, which includes a six-speed manual transmission. The horizontal six-cylinder engine of this minimalist conceptual study delivers more than 500 hp and reaches rotations of up to 9,000 rpm.

The history of the Porsche Speedster models began in the United States
Speedster-type versions of sports car models, which combine the pleasure of driving outdoors with incredible and distinctive driving dynamics, have been part of Porsche's history since 1952. The first predecessor to the Porsche Speedster models, the 356 1500 America Roadster , had its aluminum body made entirely by hand. It weighed 60 pounds less than the 356 Coupe and its top speed of 175 km / h, obtained with a horizontal four-cylinder 70 hp engine, was an impressive feat for the time. With doorknobs, folding rain cover, and light weight scoop seats, this car developed exclusively for the United States market had only 16 units built and already incorporated many key elements of the Speedster's design.By 2010, eight different series and special models were created with the 'Speedster' identification. The 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster was featured in 1957, and the first 911 Speedster came out in 1988. The 356 units of the 911 Speedster produced for the 997 series in 2010 marked a temporary end in the manufacture of the Speedster versions.

'70 years of Porsche '- special exhibition and numerous activities
At a special exhibition at the Porsche Museum, the company is showing numerous stories and milestones with which Porsche has decisively influenced the development of the sports car since 1948 and continues to do so today. Its purpose is to highlight the relevant developments promoted by Porsche over the last seven decades.Today, June 9, Porsche is inviting its fans to its 'Sports Car Together Day' in all its venues. around the world. At the weekend of June 16 and 17, the sports car manufacturer will welcome employees, residents of the Zuffenhausen district and potential customers to a commemoration at the factory in Stuttgart and its surroundings.

The 'Festival of Speed' held June 12-15 at the Goodwood Racecourse in the United Kingdom and the 'Rennsport Reunion' in California from September 27 to 30 will also mark the anniversary. The celebrations will be concluded with the 'Sound Night' event, which will take place for the first time at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart on 13 October.

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