Porsche set to launch new 911 Speedster

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It's a busy time for Porsche with a raft of new models coming through, the latest of which is the 911 Speedster, set to be officially debuted at the Paris Motor Show in October. It will share the stand with the forthcoming Carrera GTS but promises to be even more exclusive with just 356 examples being built - a nod to the famous Porsche 356 of the 1950s.

That exclusivity comes at a price though because when it goes on sale in the UK in January 2011, the 911 Speedster will cost an eye-watering £144,100 - almost twice as much as the Carerra GTS. However, for your money, Porsche is promising a model that is significantly different from the other members of the 911 family.

From the outside it's marked out by its shortened windscreen and sleek tail, featuring a 60mm lowered and raked windscreen and the characteristic ‘double-bubble' hardcover for the manual soft top. The profile of the rear-wheel drive Speedster also stands out thanks to the use of the wider Carrera 4 body with a 44mm wider rear stance.

Power comes from the impressive 3.8-litre flat six used in the 911 Carrera S but it's been tuned to deliver 408bhp - 23bhp more than in the Carrera S. With claimed average fuel consumption of 27.4mpg the new Speedster uses no more fuel than the standard 911 Carrera S Cabriolet.

The 911 Speedster also comes as standard with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) gearbox which transmits power via a limited slip differential to the rear axle. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are also standard. The conception of the current Speedster comes from Porsche Exclusive - the department of Porsche that specialises in individualisation of Porsche cars and low volume production. The 911 Speedster heralds the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive which will be celebrated in 2011.

The 911 Speedster has a generous level of equipment as standard as you'd expect given the price tag. Inside there is a hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather with numerous exterior colour painted details - each one bespoke to the Speedster. These include decorative designs with black and white patterns reminiscent of a chequered flag on the centre sections of the sports seats along with leather side bolsters in the exterior colour.

The sporting theme is enhanced further by the ‘Pure Blue' exterior colour that has been developed exclusively for the Speedster and which contrasts with the tinted front lights, black headlight surrounds and black windscreen border. It also features a bespoke front spoiler, specific side-skirts and a distinct rear apron. Porsche fans will no doubt notice the colour-coordinated black stone guard ahead of the rear wheels, reminiscent of prior editions of the 911. The Speedster is also available in Carrara White at no extra cost.

Fitted to every 911 Speedster is a Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and customers will also be able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

Click here to read our 2010 Paris Motor Show A-Z guide.