The 2020 Porsche 911 Speedster is a limited-edition version of the 991-generation 911. Based on the 991.2 model discontinued in 2019, the 2020 911 Speedster is the last iteration of the eight-year-old sports car. It's also the first Speedster since 2010, when Porsche sold a limited-edition model of 356 units based on the 997-generation 911.

Previewed by a couple of concept cars used to celebrate the company's 70th anniversary of building sports cars, the 2020 911 Speedster is actually very similar to the show cars. But unlike its predecessors, it's based on the track-ready 911 GT3 and generates in excess of 500 horsepower. As a result, it's also the first Speedster developed by the Porsche Motorsport division. It also comes with a Heritage Design package that adds unique features inspired by vintage Porsche race cars, as well as a premium timepiece.

A Rare But Legendary Nameplate

Although rare, the 911 Speedster is an iconic sports car. And the nameplate is actually much older than the 911 itself. The first Speedster came into the spotlight in 1952, when Porsche had just one model in showrooms, the 356. Called the 356 1500 America Roadster, the forefather of the Porsche Speedster was around 130 pounds lighter than the regular 356 and had a 70-horsepower engine and a top speed rated at 108 mph. It might not mean much now, but both figures were impressive at the time. It also had slot-in curtain windows, a folding top, and lightweight bucket seats.

The first vehicle to actually carry the Speedster badge arrived in 1957 with a really long name: the 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster. The first 911 Speedster didn't arrive until 1988, 24 years after Porsche launched the nameplate. Based on the updated original 911 with the wider body, it was showcased at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show. The second 911 Speedster arrived in 1992 and it was based on the 964-generation Carrera 2. Porsche skipped the Speedster body for the 993-gen 911 for public consumption but built one for Butzi Porsche's 60th birthday and a second one for TV star Jerry Seinfeld. In the absence of a 993 Speedster, it took Porsche no less than 18 years to make another Speedster.

The 2020 911 Speedster is the eighth official Speedster and only the second one since the early 1990s.

2020 Porsche 911 Speedster Exterior

For the most part, the Speedster is identical to the 911 GT3. It has the same front bumper with large vents onto the sides and a wide intake in the center, as well as a larger splitter below. The wheels are also taken from the GT3 and have the same center-lock design, but they're painted in Satin Black for this model. Everything else in the Speedster's profile is identical to the GT3 below the waist. The same goes for the rear end, which features wider fenders and a center-mounted exhaust with two pipes. A couple of vertical vents add sportiness to the rear bumper in conjunction with the diffuser-like element.

So what sets the Speedster apart from the GT3 it is based on? For starters, it's a convertible. Unlike the 911 GT3, which is a coupe, the Speedster lacks a hard-top. But it's not a 911 Cabriolet or a Targa either. It's something in between. While the rear section of the roof is missing, the deck lid features a couple of flying buttresses that are almost as high as the headrests. These are covered when the soft-top is on, but give the 911 a sleek profile when the canvas top is folded under the lid.

The Speedster also has a low-cut windshield and side windows, so even when the roof is in place it looks lower than the GT3 and even the standard 911 Cabriolet. More bonus points for the sleek silhouette. Speaking of the top, it's manually operated for weight-saving purposes, so you'd better forget about removing it and putting it back at the push of a button. It's a necessary sacrifice to keep the Speedster as light as possible.

The main highlight of the Speedster design wise is the pair of flying buttresses on the deck lid. They're made from carbon-fiber and feature "Speedster" emblems on the sides. A third "Speedster" logo was added to the rear fascia for complete recognition. Just like the GT3, the Speedster features a front hood, front fenders, and decklid made from carbon-fiber composite, while the front and rear fascia are made from lightweight polyurethane.

Heritage Design Package Add-ons

Although the sports car is restricted to just one exterior color, GT Silver Metallic, it has a white front bumper and upper fenders, as well as a white rear center fascia. This combo pays tribute to Porsche race cars from the past. The silver and white colors are also a tribute to the company's most-used factory racing colors in the '50s and '60s. The Speedster also comes with white "gumballs" on the front and hood and doors, and you can opt for individual numbers too via Porsche Tequipment. But you can also have the "gumballs" deleted if you prefer a cleaner look.

The Heritage Design model also comes with "Porsche" decals along the sides, a historic Porsche crest on the front lid, and wheels painted in Platinum Satin or silver. The gold "Speedster" badges on the rear fascia and on the sides of the buttresses and the black calipers with white "Porsche" lettering round off the package.

2020 Porsche 911 Speedster Interior

The Speedster's interior is also based on the 911 GT3, which in turns is very similar to the regular 911 design-wise. There are a few important features that set it apart though, including the steering wheel based on that in the 918 Spyder and the sports seats. You should be able to pick between four seating versions, just like in the 911 GT3. There are the standard seats with mechanical fore/aft adjustment, the adaptive Sports Plus seats with 18-way electrical adjustment and the bucket seats with folding backrest and integrated thorax airbag. Finally, you can go with the lighter bucket seats made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic.

In the tech department, you get the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system that includes an online navigation module with real-time traffic information, the Connect Plus module and the Track Precision app. The latter enables you to display, record and analyze detailed driving data on your smartphone.

The Speedster also has the GT3's lightweight door panels with storage nets instead of bins and fabric pull loops instead of handles. The standard leather upholstery is black and includes "Speedster" logos on the headrests. You can opt for red stitching if you want a splash of color on the dashboard and seats. This option also adds red door pull loops and a red marker on the steering wheel. The carbon-fiber trim on the center console comes standard, as do the unique door sills with "Speedster" lettering.

Porsche deleted the air conditioning in order to save more weight, but you can add it as an option. Fortunately, you don't have to pay extra for the A/C. "Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur" lettering on center console lid and a limited-edition plaque between the seats, showing the number of each car, complete the bespoke interior.

Heritage Design Package Add-ons

The latter is a rich shade of brown and it's a tribute to classic Porsche sports cars, as many of them had similar colors inside the cabin. The Cognac leather seats have historic Porsche crests embossed in the headrests, while their backs are finished in GT Silver Metallic to match the car's exterior. The "Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur" lettering on the center console lid and the limited-edition plaque between the seats are in gold with this option.

2020 Porsche 911 Speedster Performance

This is where the 2020 911 Speedster makes yet another step away from its predecessor. While the previous Speedster shared underpinnings with the Carrera GTS, the new Speedster is a 911 GT3 under the skin. It features the same 4.0-liter flat-six unit as the track-ready coupe, but the drivetrain now includes custom individual throttle bodies and other revisions. The mill cranks out 502 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque, notably more than its predecessor and a bit more than the current 911 GT3. The improvement is rather mild at only 2 horsepower and 7 pound-feet, but hey, owners are entitled to claim that the Speedster is more powerful than the GT3.

Transmission-wise, the 911 Speedster is a purist's sports car, as the six-speed manual transmission is the only gearbox available. Porsche says that it went with the six-speed instead of the seven-speed because it saves around nine pounds. It's also why Porsche isn't offering a PDK, as this gearbox would add almost 40 pounds to the car's curb weight.

When it comes to performance, the Speedster needs 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph. That's identical to the 911 GT3 equipped with the manual transmission, but six tenths slower than the PDK-fitted coupe. The Speedster's top speed is rated at 192 mph, a 6-mph decrease from the GT3. That's a normal downgrade given the open-top configuration.

Compared to its closest rival, the Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster, the 911 Speedster is three-tenths slower. But not only the Merc is more powerful at 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet, but it also comes with an automatic transmission. The GT R Roadster also tops out at 197 mph.

While the chassis is shared with the 911 GT3, the Speedster benefits from specific calibration for the rear-axle steering system and the dynamic engine mounts. It also comes standard with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) for enhanced stopping power. These also help reduce the car's curb weight even more.

Speaking of that, the Speedster tips the scales at 3,230 pounds. Although it's impressive for a roadster, the Speedster is heavier than the 911 GT3, which weighs 3,153 pounds with the PDK and 3,116 pounds with the manual. All told, the Speedster is 114 pounds heavier.

2020 Porsche 911 Speedster Chronograph

Developed in-house, the Flyback-Chronograph watch with Werk 01.200 movement features specific elements inspired by the Speedster or even taken from the car. It features a carbon-fiber dial, a rotor made after the car’s center-lock wheel design, and a strap made from the same leather with red stitching used inside the Speedster. If you opt for the Heritage Design package, the watch comes with a strap made from Cognac leather.

2020 Porsche 911 Speedster Pricing

When word got out that Porsche is working on a new Speedster I estimated its price at around $150,000. I was indeed expecting it to be a bit more expensive than the 911 GT3 based on its legendary status and limited production numbers. But I was wrong by a very large margin, because Porsche is asking a whopping $275,750 for one. That's three times more than the base 911 and almost $115,000 more than the 911 Turbo. It also costs $132,000 more than the 911 GT3 it is based on and around $88,000 more than the 911 GT3 RS. The only 911 that costs more is the GT2, priced from $293,200. That’s an extra $17,450 that will get you turbo power, a lot more oomph, and a big wing for track duty.

Ironically, the 911 Speedster isn't very limited production-wise. Porsche will build 1,948 examples, more than the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS together.

And needless to say, the 911 Speedster will become sold out in a couple of months, if not sooner.

Speaking of limited production, the 1,948-unit celebrates 70 years since Porsche started making road cars. Although it was established in 1931, Porsche didn't start making road-legal cars until 1948, when it introduced the 356.

2020 Porsche 911 Speedster Competition

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster

The AMG GT Roadster might not be a traditional speedster, but it's a fast convertible with a two-seat layout. Launched for the 2018 model year, the AMG GT is also different when it comes to engine layout too. Unlike the 911, which is a rear-engined car, the AMG GT has its engine in front of the driver. Also, while the Speedster features a naturally aspirated mill, the AMG GT gets its juice from a twin-turbocharged unit. The 4.0-liter V-8 engine generates 469 horsepower and 465 pound-feet in the base model, but the output increases to 515 horses and 494 pound-feet in the AMG GT S model. Neither are proper competitors since they're not equipped for track duty, but they're pretty fast. The sprint to 60 mph takes 3.9 and 3.7 seconds in these cars, while top speed is equally impressive at 188 and 192 mph, respectively. While the Speedster deliver only slightly more than 500 horsepower, the Merc generates more than that in AMG GT C trim, which comes with a whopping 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet on tap. The GT C is obviously quicker, needing only 3.6 clicks to hit 60 mph, while top speed increases to 196 mph. Finally, Mercedes offers a proper competitor for the Speedster in the AMG GT R Roadster. This thing is even more powerful at 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, and has the aerodynamics and rear wing of a race car. It needs only 3.5 seconds to hit 60 mph, but it comes with an automatic transmission only. Top speed jumps to 197 mph. Pricing for the GT R Roadster is not yet available, but it won't cost more than the Speedster. The GT C Roadster retails from $158,850.

Read our full review of the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster.

Conclusion

The Speedster is a great addition to the lineup. With the most recent model dating back to 2010 and only eight Speedster built in 70 years, this version is almost a unicorn among other 911s and it's great to see it return. The fact that its a full-fledged 911 GT3 under the skin makes things that much better. But the 2020 is just a marketing hit that's supposed to squeeze a lot of money from the outgoing 991.2-generation 911 with this massive price tag and it's a bit sad that Porsche placed it in such an expensive market.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche 911 Speedster concept.

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Porsche 911.

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.

Update History

Updated 06/29/2018: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Porsche 911 Speedster out for a new testing session around Nürburgring, and this time wearing absolutely no camouflage.

Updated 05/18/2018: The upcoming Porsche 911 Speedster was caught testing in the Spanish Mountains.

Spy Shots

June 29, 2018 - Porsche 911 Speedster caught testing at Nürburgring

May 18, 2018 - Porsche 911 Speedster caught testing in the Spanish Mountains

Porsche 911 Speedster History

Although it evolved into a special-edition model of the Porsche 911, the Speedster name is actually older than the nameplate itself, having been introduced in 1954 as a new body style for the 356. Launched in 1949, the Porsche 356 received a Speedster version in late 1954. Although it was similar to the convertible, the Speedster was aimed at customers who wanted a race-inspired drop-top and featured a lower, raked windshield that could be removed for weekend racing, a minimal folding top, and bucket seats. The Speedster became an instant hit in the U.S. and remained in production until 1958, when it was replaced with a more conventional roadster model.

Although it shared styling features with the 911 convertible, it had only two seats and a custom cover for the soft-top compartment that had two flying buttresses. The 930 Speedster was launched right before Porsche introduced the then-new 964 generation. The latter gained a Speedster version in 1994. Available in both standard and lightweight, Clubsport trim, the 964 Speedster was designed to be a more focused driver's car and lacked most of the comfort features of the Cabriolet model. Only 936 units were built in two years of production, 20 of which were fitted with the Turbo body by Porsche Exclusive.

Porsche skipped the Speedster body style for the 993-generation 911, but its Exclusive division built two on special request. The first one was assembled for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche's 60th birthday in 1995, while the second one was delivered to Jerry Seinfeld in 1998. The 993 Speedster is arguably the rarest of its kind.

The nameplate remained dormant again until 2011, when Porsche launched a limited-edition run for the 997-generation 911. Built in only 356 units as a tribute to the original Speedster, the 997 version was powered by the same engine of the Carrera GTS and was offered in only two colors, Pure Blue and Carrara White. The Speedster's windscreen was 70 mm (2.75 inches) shorter than the standard Cabriolet model.