Porsche is to release a new small roadster as an entry level into the brand. The new car will carry one of the most legendary name badges in Porsche’s illustrious history.
The new car will be named the 550, after the 550 Spyder of the 1950s. Today the 550 Spyder is best remembered for being the car in which James Dean was killed, but since it went out of production in 1956, it has accrued an almost folkloric reputation as one of the greatest racing cars ever made. Indeed, not only did it win the Targa Florio, it was also a bona fide Formula One car.
When the new car is released in 2014, it is unlikely that you will see Sebastian Vettel driving one to victory through the streets of Monaco, but it promises to be fast. The car will have a mid-mounted 1.6-litre turbocharged boxer engine developing 197bhp. Couple this to the fact that the 550 will weigh a trifling 1200kg and you’ll be hitting 60mph in 6 seconds and running out of poke on the scary side of 140mph.
The 550 will have a canvas roof and a choice of manual and PDK gearboxes. 40mpg will also not be out of the question as the car will feature start-stop technology.
Best of all, with an estimated price of under £35,000, you’ll be able to buy a genuine Porsche with genuine Porsche heritage for the price of an Mercedes SLK300.
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