Porsche Is Building A GT3-Based Convertible '911 Speedster'

While the performance compromises involved in drop-tops means it can't wear the GT3 badge, the planned 911 Speedster likely shares the same drivetrain
Porsche Is Building A GT3-Based Convertible '911 Speedster'

Porsche is said to be planning a new and desperately desirable ‘Speedster’ run-out special edition of the current 991 911, to follow in the tyre tracks of the 997-era car of the same name.

In (copyrighted) spy pictures that have surfaced online, a new two-seater test mule can be seen with the tail ends of buttresses that will emerge from behind the two seats. The main part of the assembly is hidden beneath a makeshift convertible roof, but the finished article will have a neater, folding item specific to the model.

When is a Beetle not a Beetle?
When is a Beetle not a Beetle?

Intriguingly, this one seems to be based on a GT3 body, where the 997 version in these pictures used the Carrera 4 ‘wide body’ base. In today’s range they are the same width, sharing a wider rear track and flared arches, but the GT3 has a different front bumper and bonnet. The prototype also has GT3 wheels, adding weight to the theory.

That suggests GT3 power: a 493bhp flat-six sans turbos, with sub-four-second acceleration to 62mph and a top speed over 195mph. We’d expect the extra weight of a convertible body style to impact the GT3’s famed driving dynamics and performance, but realistically the Speedster will be sold on style and exclusivity.

Porsche Is Building A GT3-Based Convertible '911 Speedster'

The 997 version was limited to 356 cars, referencing the 356 Speedster of the 1950s. It may have been little more than a restyled Volkswagen Beetle, but damn, it looked good. Other generations of 911 have had Speedster variants, too, like the 964.

The 997 Speedster was launched in January 2011, less than two years before the 991 replaced it, so with a new 911 scheduled for 2019, the latest Speedster is comparatively late. Expect a reveal at one of the year’s major motor shows; either Paris in October or Los Angeles in November.

Source: Motor Authority

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Comments

CannedRex24

crosses fingers

Please make it a manual
Please make it a manual

Please Porsche for the love of car enthusiasts
Please make it a manual

04/12/2018 - 10:34 |
64 | 0

prays with thee

04/12/2018 - 10:35 |
22 | 4
CannedRex24

Wait a Convertible GT3?

Holy hell Porsche!
What next, a 718 GT4?

Oh wait.

04/12/2018 - 10:35 |
74 | 0
Anonymous

911 R investors be like

04/12/2018 - 10:38 |
202 | 0
Aaron 15

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Well it was their fault for paying half a million quid for a toned-down GT3 😂😂

04/12/2018 - 10:51 |
32 | 0
Anonymous

Luckily not revived as an SUV… Gj Porsche!

04/12/2018 - 10:50 |
16 | 0
JenstheGTIfreak (pizza)

Seen a G-Modell speedster a few weeks ago at a Porsche event, at first I couldn’t even tell what it was because you couldn’t see the bump on the back because of the convertible roof, it looks really weird

04/12/2018 - 10:53 |
4 | 0
Aaron 15

Special edition 911 = drives like a dream. Loved by journalists. Loved by enthusiasts. But sadly, locked away by owners.

04/12/2018 - 10:53 |
50 | 0
Anonymous

I didnt like that “bump”, makes the porsch’ look like pregnant

04/12/2018 - 11:30 |
0 | 2
Anonymous

Black and grey accents + ducktail spoiler =😍

04/12/2018 - 12:48 |
0 | 0
TheMindGarage

I love the idea, and this might just be the 911 I’d buy if I had the money. It’s got the N/A goodness of the GT3 without being quite so focused, and being a convertible means you can hear more of that insane shriek! Just not sure about the looks though.

04/12/2018 - 12:52 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Im waiting for the porsche turbo s special kompressor edition fwd hybrid targa Elvis Prisley edition :))

04/12/2018 - 14:20 |
2 | 0