There seems to be a lot of activity going on in Stuttgart as Porsche->ke1 has been in the center of numerous rumors with regards to a number of vehicles that are in the pipeline for release.

A few days ago, we touched on the company already preparing a Porsche GT3 RS Limited Edition. Now, Porsche has decided to do a pre-emptive strike by releasing the first official details of the long-awaited Porsche 911->ke282 Speedster based on the current 997->ke509 a week before its scheduled appearance at the Paris Motor Show.

It’s been a while since Porsche has come out with a 911 Speedster – the early nineties, if you can believe that – so while it’s a little surprising that the brand only decided to come out with a successor now, it’s a surprise that we’re all happy to find out especially when you consider that the last Speedster was one of the most desirable Porsches of that generation.

For this new 911 Speedster, the convertible sports car carrying an aerodynamic body kit package, tinted headlights, black accents, a soft-top cover, a special front apron, specific sideskirts, a distinct rear apron, and a choice of two paint options: Carrera White and Pure Blue.

Updated 11/08/2010: When Porsche unveiled the new 911 Speedster at the Paris Auto Show they also announced the spicy price for it: 201,682 Euros (around $285,000 at the current exchange rates). Despite the high price tag, the 356 units in line for production have already been allocated. Scheduled to hit dealerships in December, this Speedster has already received enough booking to exceed the number of copies available. In other words, it's SOLD OUT. So if you intended to buy one, we're sorry, but about 356 people or more have beat you to it.

UPDATE 11/12/2010: Want some eye candy? Check out the 70+ new images in the gallery. Enjoy!!

Hit the jump for full details on Porsche new 911 Speedster and the press release.

2010 Porsche 911 Speedster

Specifications
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  • Model: 2010 Porsche 911 Speedster
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The new 911 Speedster will be powered by a 3.8-liter flat six engine that produces 408 horsepower through a seven-speed PDK transmission that sends power to the car’s rear axle that’s fitted with a standard differential lock. The sports car also features an active suspension management and ceramic composite brakes.

The 2011 Porsche Speedster was born out of Porsche Exclusive, the company-owned outfit that specializes in individualization of Porsche vehicles, with the car’s design paying homage to the original Porsche 356 Speedster. Incidentally enough, Porsche Exclusive will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2011, which paved the way for the 911 Speedster to be tagged as a special edition sports car that will be limited to only 356 units with an individual price tag of €201,682 - that’s about $265,075 by current exchange rates.

Press Release

Very low-slung, very sporty, and very rare: The Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, launches a small edition of a new 911 Speedster. Paying homage to the first Porsche model that bore the name Speedster - the 356 Speedster -, the production run for the new model is limited to 356 cars. The two-seater is significantly different from the other members of the 911 family. In the best tradition, the 60 millimetre lower, more raked windscreen, the flat contour of the sporty-look manual hood, and the characteristic double-bubble hardcover for the soft top define the striking profile of the new 911 Speedster. This makes the body of this rear-wheel drive with its 44 millimetre wider rear stand out even more. The new Porsche 911 Speedster will celebrate its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in early October.

The new 911 Speedster combines the classic features of this type of Porsche sports car with further improved performance of the current 911 generation: The 3.8-litre flat six delivers 408 hp (300 kW), 23 hp more in comparison with the 911 Carrera S. With its average consumption of 10.3 litres/100 km (27.43 mpg imp) (NEDC), the new Speedster is no less efficient than the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet without Powerkit - an effect of Porsche Intelligent Performance. The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) is in charge of transmitting power to the rear axle fitted with a standard differential lock. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are standard, too. Add to that exemplary protection for driver and passengers in the new 911 Speedster. Especially for this model, the Porsche engineers further improved the rollover protection system which is standard in all open-top Porsche cars.

The conception of the current Speedster comes from Porsche Exclusive - the company-owned "enhancer" specialising in individualisation of Porsche cars and small series. The 911 Speedster heralds the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive which will be celebrated in 2011, and once again, demonstrates the small-series competence of Porsche Exclusive after the big success of the 911 Sport Classic.

Living up to the Porsche Exclusive standard, the 911 Speedster features almost all optional equipment of the 911 series and its appeal also comes from its meticulously hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather with numerous exterior colour painted details exclusive to the Speedster. These include decorative designs with checkerboard patterns in the seat centre section of the adaptive sports seats reminiscent of a chequered flag, and the leather side bolsters in the exterior colour.

The sporty flavour is further enhanced by the exterior colour "Pure Blue" that has been developed exclusively for the Speedster, providing an intriguing contrast with the tinted front lights, black headlight rings, black windscreen surround and other black decorative designs. Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White, at no extra cost. It also features a special front apron, specific sideskirts and a distinct rear apron.

In 1953, the Speedster series was launched with a puristic sports car based on the Porsche 356, which had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic side windows, and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen. In 1988, the Speedster based on the 911 Carrera celebrated its revival with an added feature. For the first time, the hood compartment lid had the characteristic double bubbles. In 1993/1994, the next evolutionary stage of the 911 Carrera was ushered in with yet another Speedster.

In Germany, the 911 Speedster including country-specific equipment and 19 % VAT is priced at Euro 201,682 and will be launched in December 2010.

The retail price and market launch date vary by region or country. Please contact the Porsche PR Manager of your country in order to receive country-specific information.