981 Spyder - Speculation - Page 3 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Now that we know the specs of the GT4 Cayman, what do you reckon the spec of the Spyder will be? My view:- 1. Would Porsche develop the 3.8 engine (based on 991 but with different crankcase according to Autocar) for one low volume car at this price point? I suspect not and hope that this will filter across. 2, The spyshots of the alleged Boxster Club Sport has a similar (same) front bumper as GT4. Why would the Spyder need the extra cooling vents (at top of bumper) if it was still sporting GTS engine? It could of course be a mule fioor the flat 4 turbo engines which might well require additional cooling. 3.The spyshots also show what appears to be standard Boxster roof. I was expressly told when placing my LOI that a new roof has been engineered. Why engineer a new roof if rear bodywork is to remain the same? Surely if weight saving was the main point they could simply make existing roof a manual operation (perhaps that is what they have done!) My money is on a revised rear deck (I hope so!) 4. Not being track focused in the same way as GT4, it will not need all the revised suspension bits from GT3 etc or PTV so this should reduce cost. Given that Boxster has lower price point than Cayman I would bet on a basic price of about £59K All speculation is pretty pointless I know but it is fun!! Edited by Johnthepotter on Thursday 5th February 18:11

Depends on when the car is released. The two rumours seem to be April 2015 or April 2016. If the car comes in April 2015 then chances are it's likely a "Boxster Clubsport or GT4" with similar running gear, 3.8L but -10 hp and slightly lower price. New roof seems unlikely in that case, the spied mule should already have it. If the car comes in April 2016 then chances are it's a new Boxster Spyder complete with bespoke roof/rear lid design (maybe carbon fibre like the 918) and possibly also some GT4 running gear. There are some chances that it would be based on the turbo flat-4 facelift that is supposed to come this autumn.

Why do we need a new one?

2010spy said: Why do we need a new one? What a beauty!

I agree the current Spyder is a thing of beauty - I' have owned mine for 5 years now so I would like a change but only for something along similar lines! It is unusual for me to keep a car this long!

Georgec - my OPC advised APRIL 2015 launch with deliveries starting in July 2015.

Agree - now in my fifth year and overtime I consider what else could replace it, I fall at the first hurdle. Still only done 6,000 miles though - not enough!

I thought my mileage was low at 11000!!!

If the Boxster Spyder had: 3.8 litres and 375bhp the same suspension as current, or ideally GT4/GT3 sophistication but soft enough for touring ....with a base price of £61k or so I'd be all over it providing there was a PDK option - can't be doing with the too long manual gearing. My BGTS isn't going to be built until July at the earliest, so with any luck I'll be able to switch my order to a Spyder if I like the look of it.

With you on that Mario - but I want "the humps" or something similar bodywork wise as well!!

Johnthepotter said: With you on that Mario - but I want "the humps" or something similar bodywork wise as well!! I'm happy with the look as is, but wouldn't say no to a few tasteful tweaks The main thing for me is usability. I'm specifically not after a track weapon with a good ol' manual box for this car. Which has actually got me thinking, I suspect that if PDK is available they won't let it have 375 bhp as it'd likely be quicker than the GT4 in a straight line....unless of course PDK was made available for the GT4 at the same time

TDT said: f k me that's embarrassing. 987 Spyder residuals sorted then...

Edited by TDT on Sunday 8th February 00:11

looks promising - maybe this will be the first convertible i will buy

Love it! Just submitted a deposit at my dealer! #1 on the list! Looks to have the GT4 brakes and Ducktail spoiler! Makes you think it will borrow a few other pieces. Hopefully the 3.8? So is April still the launch date? Would that mean a Shanghai debut? I think Geneva will be GT4/GT3 RS focused. Shanghai makes sense as its where Porsche launched the 981 GTS.

Doesn't have the air intakes of the GT4, no 3.8?

g7jhp said: New 981 Boxster Spyder spyshots! Edited by g7jhp on Thursday 12th February 20:37 Any chance that rear deck has been split to open and allow roof to fold in similar fashion to the Audi R8 - Side windows look like the regular Boxster glass! My LOI is in place so hoping it has the humps and 3.8L detuned of course :-( to keep the GT4 price higher with justification https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWLvIfxHuKg

Hopefully the roof will be better than the existing 2-piece 987 Boxster Spyder routine which makes a Lotus Elise look practical!

g7jhp said: Hopefully the roof will be better than the existing 2-piece 987 Boxster Spyder routine which makes a Lotus Elise look practical! but if you cannot take it off then no weight saving, and if it's full electric which it is said to be, even more weight. The 987.2 was a great concept, the lightness of that car makes it for me what it is, I love it and it's the longest I have kept a car. As most peoples are toys or 3rd cars you will find 80% of people all drive roof off :-). I doubt we will see cars that light again from Porsche, they cannot even build RS track cars that light any more. Don't get me wrong the new one looks cool and will be more usable for sure, and it looks like it has big brakes etc a nice buy it should seem, and it will be rare. Edited by PorscheGT4 on Friday 13th February 09:07

g7jhp said: Hopefully the roof will be better than the existing 2-piece 987 Boxster Spyder routine which makes a Lotus Elise look practical! Year 4 just coming up and never driven with suncap on Admittedly its my dry weekend garage queen but talking to Spyder owners who do use the roof it becomes second nature putting it on or taking it off and it has been well engineered so there is no need for tugging or fiddling around to get it to fit. I can confirm it's an easier job than my 1989 911 Speedster ever was which would often need two people pushing down on the clamshell in order to get the catch to lock properly! and when putting the roof back up the struggle would be trying to get the 2 header rail catches to line up and lock. For sure the Spyder is not only easier & quicker but it doesn't leak either (no personal experience) while the 89 Speedster came with an official disclaimer declaring it wasn't 100% water tight

Think the 981 will have an equal following and a lot of speculative buyers given the 987 now holding/rising back in value. The 987 has seemed to ignite a following and a lot of attention in magazines. The 981 seems to have finally got real recognition as a sports car in its own right rather than the 'poor mans Porsche'. Agree with you guys, had mine 4 years now which is the longest of any car and couldnt think what to replace it with. The roof does get a lot of chatter, but off in under a minute and on it maybe a little more, it only comes out on sunny days so once its off it stays off till it goes back in the garage under the cover. Cannot wait to venture into France in it for the first time this summer, favourite day of the year when the charger gets unplugged and it ventures into the Spring weather :-)

Daro - I too had a 911 Speedster many years ago (wish I'd never sold it, given current prices!!)- and agree Spyder roof much more practical.

Order In. Deposit Paid. Number 2 on list...

I agree with MrDemon, IF the new spyder roof is electric & none remove able it loses an intrinsic part of the whole philosophy of the car. A 981 spyder on ceramics would be a lovely thing to own.

Never happen imo. The Spyders coming and that's that.

Johnthepotter said: Daro - I too had a 911 Speedster many years ago (wish I'd never sold it, given current prices!!)- and agree Spyder roof much more practical. Yes the values today compared to when I sold in 2003 after 14 happy years together are enough to make me But on a fun factor and even looks too the Spyder has more than made up for the loss of profits

FWIW - and probably not a lot, Autocar have a lot to say about future and present 981s (and 911s) in this weeks issue. They are speculating on a Boxster Club Sport (rather than, or maybe in addition to a Spyder) with a little more power and a lot less weight. A little more power is easy to see but a LOT less weight more difficult - and Autocar don't specify HOW. Beyond, obviously, a manual roof of some sort, it gets more difficult now that 981s already have a lot of alloy panels. AC, radio and some sound proofing removal will gain a little (the AC/radio add will doubtless be an option many choose) a smaller petrol tank (does that really fool anyone?) Perhaps slightly lighter wheels. A titanium exhaust? - unusual on cars but commonplace on upmarket bikes. Interesting in the same issue is a comparison test between the 911GTS, 911GT3 and Cayman GTS. It's a bit light on detail but they clearly prefer the handling of the Cayman to either the GTS or GT3 on the road. Edited by bcr5784 on Saturday 14th February 16:59

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted. No... Porsche a lot of other manufactures will utilize different wheels for testing. Pretty common practice. When the production version debuts the wheel designs will match on all four corners I think it's funny how everyone hasn't noticed before... And give it as a reason that the Spyder photos are fake!

g7jhp said: New 981 Boxster Spyder spyshots! Edited by g7jhp on Thursday 12th February 20:37 Any other pictures knocking around? Do we think these are real or photoshopped?

DS240 said: Any other pictures knocking around? Do we think these are real or photoshopped? Definitely real!

http://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/boxster-spyder/15233/...

1240kg according to the EVO article... 100kg below the GT4. Could be possible with a smaller tank (-8kg) AC delete (-15kg), radio delete (-7kg), buckets (-10kg) and the old, completely manual version of the roof (-30kg), smaller 3.4 engine (-20kg) and other weight savings (-10kg). //edit: fixed numbers Edited by swimd on Sunday 15th February 18:11

swimd said: 1240kg according to the EVO article... 100kg below the GT4. Could be possible with a smaller tank (-8kg) AC delete (-15kg), radio delete (-7kg), buckets (-10kg) and the old, completely manual version of the roof (-30kg), smaller 3.4 engine (-20kg) and other weight savings (-10kg). //edit: fixed numbers Edited by swimd on Sunday 15th February 18:11 Not a chance :-) it has a new style electric roof and if it lifts the rear like the R8 that's more weight. Will be interesting to see though. But cannot see how it's going to save much over the BGTS bar the 918 seats, AC and PCM unit delete.

What makes you think it has an elctric roof GT4/Mr Demon? This would not make any sense at all!

Navanod said: Love it! Just submitted a deposit at my dealer! #1 on the list! Looks to have the GT4 brakes and Ducktail spoiler! Makes you think it will borrow a few other pieces. Hopefully the 3.8? So is April still the launch date? Would that mean a Shanghai debut? I think Geneva will be GT4/GT3 RS focused. Shanghai makes sense as its where Porsche launched the 981 GTS. Just make sure that you have that #1 allocation in writing from the dealer otherwise, you might be getting your hopes up. We saw this on the GT4 thread. Number #1 might just mean you are the first person to turn up with money, not the first person who will get a car and you may not even get a car at all, judging by the way the GT4 thread has played out.

Johnthepotter said: What makes you think it has an elctric roof GT4/Mr Demon? This would not make any sense at all! Strong rumours thats all.

Carl_Docklands said: Just make sure that you have that #1 allocation in writing from the dealer otherwise, you might be getting your hopes up. We saw this on the GT4 thread. Number #1 might just mean you are the first person to turn up with money, not the first person who will get a car and you may not even get a car at all, judging by the way the GT4 thread has played out. I have it in writing! I have a 1k deposit down. I was #4 on the list for the GT4, but retracted that once the latest spy photos hit for the 981 Spyder.

LaurasOtherHalf said: I agree with MrDemon, IF the new spyder roof is electric & none remove able it loses an intrinsic part of the whole philosophy of the car. A 981 spyder on ceramics would be a lovely thing to own. New roof is an update of the Gen 1 concept. Still a Suncap still lightweight but now good for the new top speed when in place Release Date April 1st;)

And so it starts over and people are leaving deposits again !!!

daro911 said: New roof is an update of the Gen 1 concept. Still a Suncap still lightweight but now good for the new top speed when in place Release Date April 1st;) The April 1st (1st Wednesday of the month) date makes sense... Cayman GT4 = 2/4 (also the 1st Wednesday of the month) I'm hesitant due to April Fools Day though Hopefully this is no joke!

What do people think will be the price on this. Same as gts , 52ish? Thanks

I,m expecting something around the £60K mark

57.6k is my guess.

£59,995.00

That's very precise GT4 - have you got some inside info again??!!

PorscheGT4 said: £59,995.00 My guess is £61995.00

It would make sense to do it sooner rather than later given the mess with GT4 allocations. If they announce the Spyder before slots are locked down for GT4 then some of the GT4 "confirmed" customers will no doubt jump ship to the Spyder thus freeing up capacity for the rest of us. If they do it after the GT4 slots are locked then its just a bigger mess IMHO.

AdamV12V said: It would make sense to do it sooner rather than later given the mess with GT4 allocations. If they announce the Spyder before slots are locked down for GT4 then some of the GT4 "confirmed" customers will no doubt jump ship to the Spyder thus freeing up capacity for the rest of us. If they do it after the GT4 slots are locked then its just a bigger mess IMHO. Not sure a GT4 customer and Spyder customer are so easily one of the same thing.. Some obvious crossover as porsche fans, but both appeal differently which might not make it an automatic 'one or the other' decision.

I agree. I want a Spyder but wouldn't consider GT4 - that rear wing is too much for me !!

I would like a Spyder with full electric roof as long as it has the humps and tails, the 3.8 engine with those big brakes and Adjustable LCA. best of every thing then and I could sell all of my cars and just have one ;-).

Price wise: If a good spec. GTS is £65K and a good spec. GT4 is £75K, would this not put a Spyder, that would be better than the GTS but not as hardcore as the GT4, at around £70K? I have my doubts about the Spy shots - look at where the bikini top joins the bodywork. It appear to join on at the wing which would not allow the top to be un/tensioned, leaving me to believe someone has taken a Boxster spyshot and Photoshopped the current Spyder roof onto it However if such a car is to be made, I hope that it follows the same design philosophy of the 987 model of lightness is everything.

A user on pcgb has apparently seen the car in the pics in the flesh in South Africa. Apparently buckets and lightweight manual hood. May be worth asking him on there.

A user on pcgb has apparently seen the car in the pics in the flesh in South Africa. Apparently buckets and lightweight manual hood. May be worth asking him on there.

PorscheGT4 said: I would like a Spyder with full electric roof as long as it has the humps and tails, the 3.8 engine with those big brakes and Adjustable LCA. best of every thing then and I could sell all of my cars and just have one ;-). Humps, 3.8, leccy roof and a few more toys than a GTS as standard = perfect for me. Not what the majority want granted, I'm basically just after a Boxster with 991 power figures that looks awesome.

So with some nice options about 68k-70k ish... Will the 981 Spyder be worth the 20k-30k upgrade on the current Spyder?!

philnotts said: So with some nice options about 68k-70k ish... Will the 981 Spyder be worth the 20k-30k upgrade on the current Spyder?! nothing is ever worth the upgrade price. is it worth the upgrade, over the list price of the Spyder when new, then yes. to part with £25k to swap than as always that's hard and all depends of future 981 Spyder prices.

http://www.carscoops.com/2015/02/heres-proof-that-...

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted. Personally, while I can see the merit in a more focused and lighter Boxster - with a lighter manual roof, the Spyder styling results in a much less practical design of roof. Retention of the existing Boxster styling wouldn't require such a compromised roof - just a manual one. In short the Spyder compromises practicality with no benefit in weight/performance - merely style, which is, of course, subjective. Beyond that, not everyone wants an open car. There is a BIG penalty in aerodynamic drag. Open car manufacturers rarely (if ever) quote performance figures with the roof off vs roof on. But an increase in drag of 15-20% is quite likely, offsetting, and in some respects overturning, performance gains resulting from increased power or reduce weight.

Yes but the car sounds far better with the roof off and with the wind blowing in your hair it's such an enhanced experience. Horses for courses though. Some people want the most focused version. I personally think cars like this have such performance that can't legally be used to their full potential on the road where most will be driven, you may as well enjoy a bit of open air motoring!

New 981 Boxster Spyder spyshots! updated to include close-ups of roof and seats. Edited by g7jhp on Friday 20th February 12:26

Beaver said: Exhaust and no music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECKyWbekatk Again this strange short shifting just like in the GT4 videos, I don't get it.

EricE said: Beaver said: Exhaust and no music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECKyWbekatk Again this strange short shifting just like in the GT4 videos, I don't get it. With the tall gearing the video would be too long if they revved it out in each gear

Beaver said: Exhaust and no music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECKyWbekatk Thanks Martin

anonymous said: [redacted] You're probably right. The manual roof on the MX-5 is a good bit of kit though.

Think the decals would have looked good...

anonymous said: [redacted] +1. I'd go as far to say even the gts bumper is a bit fussy & angular- think the standard one looks & integrates the best. Though efficiency is an entirely different matter I guess.

2010spy said: If I was in any doubt, I am no more! Beaver said: Exhaust and no music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECKyWbekatk That was exactly my conclusion. I've not been able to imagine letting go of my 987 but I'm now thinking, can I miss the opportunity to get one of the first of these? Decisions, decisions......

SFO said: dark colours would work better no need for the GT4 bits .. 99% of drivers won't notice their absence on public roads. I disagree, I find the standard brakes underwhelming. More power and not more braking ability is poor show.

Dark colours looking good...

DMC2 said: I disagree, I find the standard brakes underwhelming. More power and not more braking ability is poor show. nothing a BBK can't solve later down the line!

DMC2 said: I disagree, I find the standard brakes underwhelming. More power and not more braking ability is poor show. It's got the bigger brakes as well as the engine from the Carrera S..

2010spy said: Dark colours looking good... not from that angle !

Beaver said: It's got the bigger brakes as well as the engine from the Carrera S.. Ah, I read that it was the standard brakes.