Porsche revives the Spyder

The new Boxster Spyder stays faithful to the original formula of a low-slung, lightweight, performance-focused roadster.

The 550 Spyder will be officially revealed at the Los Angeles motor show next month.

Porsche says the car’s lower weight, lowered ride height and revised sports suspension make it the most performance-focused roadster in its line up.

Power is up slightly on the current Boxster S, with the 3.4-litre flat six engine producing 235kW (7kW more than the S).

Porsche has built limited Spyder editions of the Boxster before, but this is a regular production model.

Owners will be able to opt for Porsche's dual-clutch transmission and launch control.

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Porsche has resurrected the spirit of one of its most famous cars, the legendary 550 Spyder.

The original model attracted infamy as the car James Dean was driving when he died in a car crash in 1955.

The new Boxster Spyder stays faithful to the original formula of a low-slung, lightweight, performance-focused roadster.

Designed to sit at the top of its Boxster soft-top range, the car will be officially revealed at the Los Angeles motor show next month, before going on sale in Europe in February next year.

Australia should get the car in the second quarter of 2010. The new Spyder will be the lightest sports car in the Porsche range, weighing 50kg less than the lightest current Boxster.

It will also be the quickest roadster in the Porsche range, with a claimed 0-100kmh time of just 4.8 seconds, when fitted with Porsche's optional dual-clutch transmission and launch control.

Power is up slightly on the current Boxster S, with the 3.4-litre flat six engine producing 235kW (7kW more than the S).

Top speed is 267kmh. Porsche says the car's lower weight, lowered ride height and revised sports suspension make it the most performance-focused roadster in its line up.

The Spyder is designed primarily as an open-top car, with lower side windows and two bulges on the engine cover behind the driver, giving the car a look reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

The original 550 Spyder is one of the world's most collectable - and replicated - cars, with several modern kit versions of the car available in the US.

Launched in 1953, the 550 (named after it ultra-light weight of just 550kg) was the first Porsche sports car developed specifically for racing.

It gave Porsche its first victory in a major motor race. Porsche has built limited Spyder editions of the Boxster before, but this model is a regular production model.

Australian pricing for the car will be revealed closer to the on-sale date, but expect a price tag upwards of A$150,000.

- © Fairfax NZ News