Porsche 911 Speedster (2010) first official photos

Further evidence of Porsche market saturation: the new Porsche 911 Speedster, announced today ahead of its debut at the 2010 Paris motor show.

Porsche has dabbled with speedsters before, of course. Most notably with the 356 - and Stuttgart's playing homage to that car with the new 2010 911 Speedster.

Only 356 will be built worldwide and you might understand why when you see the £144,100 price tag. UK deliveries start in January 2011.

By chopping 60mm off the windscreen of a wide-bodied Carrera 4 bodyshell; that stubby window now in place is angled back. There's a manual canvas roof complete with double-bubble hard top.

It's not just a Californian poser, insists Porsche. The Speedster comes with a limited slip diff and an engine developing some 20bhp more than standard.

It'll be plenty fast enough. The 3.8-litre flat six from the regular Carrera S develops a stronger 402bhp and 310lb ft - enough for 0-62mph in 4.6sec and 190mph. Should owners care, it'll average a creditable 27mpg and spew out 242g/km of CO2 (figures enabled by the rangey seven-speed PDK twin-clutch transmission; no manual is offered).

The Speedster was designed by bespoke wing Porsche Exclusive, which celebrates its silver anniversary this year.

After last week's 911 GTS, it might appear so. But there's a band of collectors out there who'll snap up every last Speedster.

And who knows? Weighing in at 1540kg and rear-drive only, it'll probably be a hoot to drive.  

By Tim Pollard