Porsche Emblem

Porsche Emblem

Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you have to wonder how we ever got to 3,500 pounds, 500 horsepower twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example--considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars--weighed a mere 1,670 pounds and managed just 40 horsepower in some guises.

It appears the Speedster may make a return, as claimed by reports coming out of Europe. Porsche hasn't built a limited-edition Speedster since 1994, the last one based on the 964 generation of the 911, but according to a leaked document detailing Porsche’s product plans until the end of 2012 has revealed that the 911 Speedster will be built in a limited run of just 100 cars towards the end of the year.

The Speedster is essentially a chopped convertible with an oversized rear hump leading into a streamlined tail. The latest model based on the 911 will follow this same design route but it’s expected to also feature a wider body. Like last year’s 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder, the new 911 Speedster will feature a removable fabric roof for when the weather gets bad.

Powering the 911 Speedster will be the same 3.8-liter flat six engine from the 911 Sport Classic. Rated at 400 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the engine should be able to accelerate the 911 Speedster from 0-62 mph in around 4.5 seconds and see it reach a top speed of 190 mph.

The story doesn’t end there as Porsche is also expected to launch a widebody version of the 911 dubbed the GTS. It will come with the same 400 horsepower 3.8-liter engine but isn’t due to go on sale until sometime next year.

[AutoExpress]