The Porsche 911 Speedster Concept isn’t a concept anymore. It has evolved into a special edition model after the folks from Stuttgart introduced the 911 Speedster Concept II at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. The 911 Speedster Concept II will be produced as a special edition model that’s limited to only 1,948 units. Porsche hasn't announced pricing details for the limited edition roadster, but expect an announcement from the German automaker in the next few months. Keep yourselves updated because production of the 911 Speedster Concept II starts in the first half of 2019.

2018 Porsche 911 Speedster Concept ll

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Porsche 911 Speedster Concept ll
  • Engine/Motor: flat-6
  • Horsepower: 500
  • Torque: 339
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

2018 Porsche 911 Speedster Concept II Exterior

Both versions are based on the 911 Cabriolet 4 Carrera, though Porsche did borrow the 911 GT3’s chassis and built other elements from carbon fiber composite to help keep the roadster’s weight down.

On the design front, the 911 Speedster Concept II features a shorter and more rakish windscreen. If you know your history of Porsche speedsters, you'll recognize the treatment as something similar to the 356 1500 Speedster. There's also a carbon fiber rear cover with a double bubble design that conceals the car's roll-over protection structure. Look closely at the humps and you'll see that they're connected by a floating third brake light that illuminates "Porsche" lettering.

The color itself has historical roots to Porsche, namely to the 1988 911 Speedster. You’ll notice, too, that the racing decals on the first version of the concept are absent in the second version. It appears that all 1,948 units of the Speedster Concept II won’t carry any of the fancy graphics, at least unless you want Porsche to add them.

Beyond its new color, the 911 Speedster Concept II is also sporting a set of 21-inch center-lock wheels with a cross-spoke design that’s similar to the ones found on the 911 RSR and GT3 R race cars. Tinted daytime running lights come in red to complement the body color of the roadster. The side mirror caps are also nods to classic Porsche speedsters. The Speedster features a lightweight tonneau cover instead of a traditional convertible roof. To give them a modern twist, Porsche designed the mirror caps using black chrome and platinum. The same two materials were also used on the fuel tank cap that’s centrally located on the hood of the roadster.

2018 Porsche 911 Speedster Concept II Interior

The seats, for instance, are carbon fiber bucket seats. The seats are wrapped in black leather that’s partly perforated and has a smattering of eye-catching red accents. The treatment is different from the first concept, which featured light brown Aniline leather upholstery and Cognac leather door pull straps.

There’s no infotainment system anywhere in the cabin of the roadster. Instead, prospective customers will see nothing but an empty space in the center stack. There are air-conditioning vents in the cabin, though it’s unclear if the production version will have an air conditioning system of its own. The first concept didn’t have any.

All told, Porsche’s minimalist approach to the interior speaks to the nature of the roadster as a special edition model that’s going to cater to a specific group of Porsche enthusiasts.

2018 Porsche 911 Speedster Concept II Drivetrain

Porsche alluded to that, saying that the Speedster Concept II features a 4.0-liter flat-six engine that produces 500 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. On the flip side, the 911 Speedster Concept II doesn’t share the same standard transmission - a seven-speed, dual-clutch PDK transmission - as the 911 GT3. Instead, it utilizes a standard six-speed manual transmission that Porsche received from its own GT division. That same division is also responsible for engineering the special edition Speedster’s exhaust system and titanium tailpipes.

Porsche didn’t say what kind of performance numbers the 911 Speedster Concept II has. It does source an engine from a car that can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds before setting off on a top speed run that peaks at 197 mph.

We’ll know soon enough when the special edition hits the streets, but for now, it’s not entirely out of the question to imagine it being a nick faster. Perhaps a 0-to-60-mph sprint time of 3.1 seconds is within reach? Maybe a top speed of 198 mph, or even 200 mph?

Final Thoughts

On its face, the 911 Speedster Concept II is sleeker than the 911 Cabriolet and more potent than the 718 Boxster. It’s a unique Porsche in it of itself because of the elements that came with its creation. It’s essentially a cross between the 911 Cabriolet 4 Carrera and the 911 GT3. But step away from its aesthetics for a second.

Whether it’s the 1956 356a Speedster, the 1989 911 Speedster, the 1994 964 Speedster, or, most recently, the 2010 911 Speedster, there’s a long list of iconic Porsche models that have worn the “Speedster” moniker.

This new special edition Porsche will follow in those footsteps once production starts in the early part of 2019. We don’t know what name it’s going to come by — it’s probably not the “911 Speedster Concept II” — but rest assured, when it does arrive, it’s going to be one of the most sought-after special edition models to come out of Porsche in recent memory. The fact that only 1,948 units are earmarked for production will only add to its appeal among Porsche collectors.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche Speedster Concept I.

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 2010 Porsche 911 Speedster

Read our full review of the 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster