New lightweight specials from Porsche and BMW ...

[Wouter Melissen]

At next month's Los Angeles Motor Show, Porsche will reveal this Boxster Spyder. Based on the current Boxster S model, the new Spyder is a tribute to Porsche's legendary racing cars from the 1950s like the 550 RS Spyder from 1955 or the 718 RS 60 Spyder built five years later. The most obvious visual change on the 2010 Spyder is the rear deck, which sports two bumps instead of the fold-down roof found on the regular production model. In the spirit of the early racing cars, a very rudimentary cloth roof can be used but it only offers minimal weather protection. The interior is equipped with the bare minimum and includes racing touches like the straps to open the doors. Performance is also up compared to the standard Boxster courtesy of a considerable drop in the weight and an additional 10 bhp from the direct injection flat six. The Boxster Spyder will be available from February 2010.
BMW also revealed the first details of a special, lightweight edition of one of their current models today. Dubbed the M3 GTS, the new BMW is even more extreme than the aforementioned Porsche. The GTS features a completely stripped interior, a larger and more powerful engine and an aggressive body-kit. The most fundamental change is the introduction of a 4.4 litre version of the highly acclaimed M3 V8. It produces 450 bhp, which is transferred to the rear wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. Weight is down to 1490 kg or 3285 lbs. According to BMW the car is suited for use on the road but can also be campaigned on track, in 'Clubsport' events. The M3 GTS may also serve to homologate new bits for the M3 GTR GT2 racer that is expected to feature more prominently on the world's racing tracks in 2010.

Enjoy the links:

2010 BMW E92 M3 GTS - Images, Specifications and Information

2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder - Images, Specifications and Information