Following the unveiling of the most powerful ever Cayman in the shape of the GT4, Porsche is continuing its offensive with the new 370bhp Boxster Spyder.
Porsche Boxster Spyder – just taken the roof off in seconds. Oh and it’s got a 911’s engine. Wow. pic.twitter.com/iF7gDEMnXl
— Steve Fowler (@SteveFowler) April 1, 2015
Introduced at the New York Motor Show today, the Spyder is the most powerful ever version of Porsche’s baby sports car, and retains the hand-operated folding fabric roof from the previous model.
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Its design should look familiar, with both the front and rear end mirroring that of the Cayman GT4.
The distinctive rear buttresses nestling behind each seat are unique to the Spyder and are a nod to the 718 Spyder from the sixties.
Porsche has also borrowed a selection of mechanical components from the 911. The Spyder becomes the first Boxster to feature the larger 3.8-litre flat-six engine from the 911, developing 370bhp, with 0-62mph taking 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 180mph.
It also rides 20mm lower to the ground than the standard Boxster and larger brakes from the 911 have been fitted. Porsche claims more direct steering has been added to the Spyder, too.
As with the recently introduced Cayman GT4, Porsche will only make the Boxster Spyder available with a six-speed manual gearbox – a PDK automatic is not even on the options list.
To keep weight to a minimum, carbon-fibre bucket seats from the 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar have been bolted into the cabin, with the air-conditioning and radio also removed to further reduce weight.
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Buyers who are seeking a few more creature comforts will be able to choose them as an optional extra, however.
Porsche has already begun taking orders for the Spyder, with prices starting from £60,459. First deliveries will begin in July, with customers also being invited to Porsche’s Experience Centre at Silverstone to get to grips with their latest purchase.
Now read our review of the Porsche Cayman GT4 here.
