2011 Porsche 997 Speedster Driving Footage – Video

The 911 Speedster’s specific appeal—aside from its exclusivity—is its shape, which is dominated by the small, black-frame windshield, lower than the regular 911 cabriolet’s by 2.4 inches, and the double hump that covers the fabric top when it is stowed. Even when up, the top makes for an extremely low silhouette, and, like that on the Boxster Spyder, it is manually operated. Like the just-unveiled and also rear-drive Carrera GTS, the Speedster comes with the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4’s wider bodywork—making it thicker by an extra 1.7 inches at the rear.

The Speedster’s drivetrain is taken directly from Porsche’s parts bin: It is the same 408-hp, 3.8-liter direct-injection boxer-six that drives the GTS. Peak power is reached at 7300 rpm; maximum torque is 310 lb-ft at 4200 rpm. Unlike the GTS, though, the Speedster only comes with Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Fuel economy is said to be identical to that of the 385-hp Carrera S, which gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway.