Porsche 911 Speedster priced from $600K

Porsche Cars Australia has confirmed the new Porsche 911 Speedster will be priced from $604,800 plus on-road costs – making it one the car-maker’s most expensive limited-edition models to-date.

Based on a concept car revealed in 2018 to commemorate the Speedster’s 70th anniversary, the new Porsche 911 Speedster draws inspiration from the original Porsche 356 drop-top.

The 2019 model will be strictly limited to 1948 cars globally. It’s not yet known how many are destined for Australia but the limited production, history and ethos of the Speedster will no doubt make it highly sought-after.

The cabriolet uses hardware from the 911 GT3 and GT3 RS – most notably a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six with 374kW and 470Nm, paired solely to a six-speed manual transmission.

The newcomer is said to feature a unique soundtrack courtesy of individual throttle bodies and bespoke exhaust.

Porsche says the 911 Speedster will hit 100km/h in just 3.8sec on its way to a top speed of 309km/h.

Read the Porsche 911 Speedster 2019 Review

Developed by the Porsche Motorsport department, the 911 Speedster features a low-cut windscreen and side glass, and a manually-operated cloth top. The streamliners at the rear of the car are constructed of carbon-fibre, as are the front guards and front and rear deck-lids.

An emphasis on weight reduction sees the Porsche 911 Speedster’s door cards fitted with fabric storage nets and door pulls, and the standard black leather upholstery is available with red contrast stitching and ‘Speedster’ designations in the head restraints.

The 2019 Porsche Speedster – which is based on the chassis of the 911 GT3 – is fitted as standard with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) and omits air-conditioning in the name of weight-saving. Porsche lists the car’s kerb weight at 1465kg.

Australian cars will be fitted standard with cruise control and a front axle-lift system. A grey top tint for the windscreen and the Porsche Communication Management infotainment system, bringing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, are no-cost items.

Elsewhere, a rear-axle steering system and dynamic engine mounts are unique to the limited-edition car, as are 20-inch centre-lock wheels in Satin Black.

Order books are now open for the Porsche 911 Speedster, each of which will be delivered with its own Speedster Chronograph timepiece. First cars are due to touch down here in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The 911 Speedster’s $600K price tag makes it more expensive than recent 911 limited-edition including the 911 R. In pricing terms, it is bested only by the 911 GT2 RS, which cost $645,000.