Porsche just celebrated 70 years since its very first automobile, the 356 "No. 1," was created on June 8, 1948, and unveiled a speedster model based on the 911. But, while we were expecting a production model this year, the Germans showcased a production-ready concept car.

Developed at the Porsche Motorsport Center in Weissach, which is the birthplace of the 911 GT3, 911 GT3 RS, and the 911 GT2 RS, the Speedster Concept also celebrates the company's long-standing tradition of making speedster-type roadsters, which don't have folding roofs and are usually stripped of convenience features. The concept car likely previews a production model, further feeding rumors that a 911 Speedster will follow toward the end of 2018. But until that happens, let's have a closer look at this concept car.

Porsche 911 Speedster Concept Exterior

Based on the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, the Speedster Concept shares a few features with its production sibling, but it also sports quite a few unique design elements. Up front, we can see black-painted trim around the side vents and a dark silver metallic trunk lid with quick-release pins and a center-mounted fuel cap. The latter is reminiscent of 1950s Porsche models.

The unique front-end design is finished off with bespoke headlamp covers that have transparent surfaces that resemble the shape of an "X." These are a nod to the era when automakers used to tape up headlamps before races to protect them against stone shipping and from shattering. Both the front fenders and the trunk lid are made from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer in order to save weight.

Moving onto the sides, we can see the main elements that turn the 911 into an authentic speedster. The windshield is shorter and has a greater angle, the side windows are also shorter, while the deck lid features two flying buttresses. The hoops and the seats are separated by a carbon-fiber cover with "Speedster" lettering in gold. The Talbot-shape side mirrors also hark back to Porsche models from the past, as do the Fuchs-design rims. The 21-inch wheels have race-inspired center locks for the very first time. The number "70" in a big white circle and "Porsche" graphics on the doors round off the classic look.

Around back, the Speedster Concept showcases a transparent plexiglas wind deflector between the rollover hoops and a revised decklid that no longer features the usual grille above the engine. There's also gold "Speedster" lettering on the rear fascia and a pair of center-mounted exhaust pipes made from titanium. The concept car also comes with a lightweight tonneau cover. Since speedsters don't have folding roofs, this cover is mainly designed to protect the interior from bad weather while parked.

All told, this concept car definitely looks like an authentic speedster. What's more, it looks as if it's ready to go into production.

Porsche 911 Speedster Concept Interior

Porsche didn't have much to say about the interior, but it appears to be the standard 911 Carrera with minor modifications. In the pure speedster tradition, the Germans removed the navigation, radio, and air conditioning system to reduce weight. The standard seats were replaced with full bucket seats made from carbon-fiber. These were wrapped in light brown leather as a tribute to the classic Speedster models. Other unique features include brown inserts on the door panels and dashboard, fabric pull loops instead of the original door openers, and gold "Speedster" badges.

Porsche 911 Speedster Concept Performance

While the body is borrowed from the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, the entire drivetrain is taken from the more hardcore 911 GT3. Porsche didn't provide too much information, but it did say that the engine, probably the familiar 4.0-liter flat-six, cranks out "more than 500 horsepower." For reference, the 911 GT3 comes with 500 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque on tap, while the GT3 RS model benefits from 520 horses. Considering the "more than 500 horsepower" claim, it's safe to assume that this concept is a 911 GT3 underneath.

However, while the GT3 RS is sold with an automatic PDK transmission only, the Speedster is equipped with the six-speed manual gearbox. Good news for gearheads, assuming that Porsche will put this concept car into production.

The big mystery is how fast this car actually is. Due to the convertible layout that usually requires a bit more reinforcing, the Speedster Concept should be a tad slower than the GT3 RS. With the latter needing three seconds to hit 60 mph with the PDK, the Speedster probably needs around 3.5 clicks. Top speed is probably rated at over 185 mph, but don't expect it to be as fast as the 911 GT3 RS, which hits 194 mph.

The concept should feature all the other GT3 RS goodies, including a rear-axle steering system, dynamic engine mounts, ceramic-composite brakes, and the Chrono Package. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Porsche also added the anti-roll bars and end links made from carbon-fiber that come with the Weissach package.

Conclusion

Needless to say, the Speedster Concept's arrival is a bit of a surprise. Not because Porsche wasn't expected to build a new speedster version of the 911, but because we were preparing for a production model. A prototype is already being tested on public roads and word has it we will see it in the metal by the end of 2018. I guess we can say that this concept car is confirmation that a production model is coming, even though Porsche clearly built it to celebrate 70 years since it completed its first ever road car. Pairing a speedster body with 911 GT3 RS underpinning is definitely an exciting option and all I can hope is that the production version turns out to be the same.

Further Reading

Read our full speculative review on the 2018 Porsche 911 Speedster

Read our full review of the 1955-1958 Porsche 356a Speedster

Read our full review of the 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster

Read our full review on the 1994 Porsche 964 Speedster.

Read our full review of the 2010 Porsche 911 Speedster

Read more Porsche news.