Porsche is apparently ready to cap off the 991-generation of their signature sports car, the 911. Introduced in 2012, it’s no secret that the Zuffenhausen automaker is teeing up an all-new replacement. However, the new spy images show a new current-generation Speedster shape is bound for imminent launch.
Traditionally, as evidenced by three iterations of 911, Porsche has used the limited run variant to mark the end of that particular generation, characterising its debut as a celebratory epitaph. The timing of a 991-gen Speedster seem to be bang on, and it would be interesting to see how this 2019 model will look like seeing as how the company has typically stuck to retro-inspired styling on prior appearances.
The spy photographs show many of the telltale cues that would have one suspect it of being a Porsche Speedster, namely its lowered windscreen rake and bespoke ‘double-bubble’ tonneau cover for its manually operated roof.
Interestingly, the prototype seems to also wear GT3 bits, including its centre-locking lightweight wheels and rear vents. While these might just be fitted to throw speculators off balance, the presence of dual exhaust exits suggest that the Speedster will use a naturally aspirated flat-six instead of the smaller turbocharged units in the more mainstream Carrera range.
It would certainly be a departure from its 997-based predecessor, which was based on a 997 Carrera GTS, but at this stage it’s fairly murky as to whether Porsche will take their Speedster in a more ‘hardcore’ direction.
Assuming that it will indeed feature an atmospheric flat-six, Porsche could just lump in the 4.0-litre unit from their current GT3, which will mean 368kW at a heady 9,000rpm, or re-use their slightly aged 3.8-litre flat-six screamer, producing 350kW at a marginally lower 8,250rpm.
We would relish seeing another factory Porsche with the Fuchs five-spoke wheels, and we wouldn’t mind if they threw in a good old manual transmission too since the Speedster is all about celebrating the 911’s roots. However, we won’t be too shocked if it were PDK-only.
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