2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Price
Porsche has gotten our attention right off the bat at the 2019 New York Auto Show by bringing the 911 Speedster for its North American debut. It won't be plentiful, limited to just 1,948 units worldwide. It won't be cheap, either. The 911 Speedster borrows its naturally-aspirated 4.0 liter flat-six engine from the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS. That produces 502 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque, with a pulse-elevating 9,000-rpm redline. It gets individual throttle bodies for improved response, and is mated to a GT Sport six-speed manual transmission. It'll do 0-60 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds, before continuing to a top speed of 192 miles per hour. How badly do you want to feel 192 mph in the open air? Speaking of which, the 911 Speedster comes equipped with a manually operated lightweight fabric top. We won't image it'll see much time in the closed position, though. Behind the cockpit are the two signature streamliner bulges, making the Speedster instantly recognizable. The weight reductions continue inside the car, with lightweight door panels with storage nets and woven door pulls. The car makes extensive use of carbon fiber, as well. If you're lucky enough to own one of these Speedsters, you can also get an exclusive Porsche Design 911 Speedster Chronograph watch. It features a carbon fiber dial, a rotor modeled after the Speedster's center lock wheel, and a strap made of Porsche interior leather.
The Jaguar F-Type represents a more affordable luxury sports car. Like the Porsche 911, the F-Type is available as a coupe or convertible. Both vehicles offer a handsome interior with spacious front seats. The F-Type does not have rear seats, and the 911鈥檚 are so small that they鈥檙e better used for storing cargo than seating people. The Jaguar is also available with your choice of several powerful engines, culminating with the high-performance F-Type SVR trim鈥檚 575-horsepower V8. Though the F-Type is muscular and athletic, its ride gets a little rough at times. The big difference between the two is price. 30,000 better (at least) is up to you. 911 Engine: Really, Really Fast or Really, Really, Really Fast? The 911 gives you a choice of three six-cylinder turbocharged engines with varying outputs between and among them. The base engine puts out 370 to 450 horsepower, depending on the trim, and it has all the power you need (and then some) for day-to-day driving. You'll find this engine in many of the staple trims, including the 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S, and the various Targa trims.
The other two engines - found in the 911 GT3, GT2 RS, and Turbo, among others - are high-performance options that make 500 to 700 horsepower. With acceleration straight out of a "Fast and Furious" movie, these sporty cars feel right at home on the racetrack. A seven-speed manual transmission comes standard in most trims, and a seven-speed automatic transmission (known as the Porsche Doppelkupplung, or PDK) is available. Both operate smoothly, and the automatic shifts right when you want it to. The base engine is the 911's most efficient offering. According to EPA estimates, it gets 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway (22/30 mpg city/highway with the PDK transmission). Both numbers are above average for the class. The 911鈥檚 fuel economy tends to decrease with the more powerful engines. The 911 Turbo gets 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, and the GTS R2 earns an estimated 15/21 mpg city/highway. Keep in mind that the 911 - as well as nearly every other luxury sports car - requires premium gasoline, so good mpg ratings don't necessarily translate to low fuel costs.
The 911 is a sports car and a Porsche. As you might guess, it鈥檚 fun to drive. With a standard adaptive suspension, responsive steering, and agile cornering, zipping along winding roads will get your blood pumping. The sturdy brakes provide plenty of stopping power, and the available Sport Chrono package lets you select different modes that alter driving dynamics. How Many People Does the 911 Seat? Most 911 models have four seats (the GT3 seats two), but that doesn't necessarily mean they should be thought of as four-seaters. While rear seats are a rarity among luxury sports cars, the 911鈥檚 are so cramped that they're better used as extra cargo space. The front seats, however, are quite nice. They鈥檙e easy to access and offer plenty of head- and legroom, even for tall adults. The standard sport seats are extremely supportive, though a few critics think the available 14- or 18-way power-adjustable seats offer less support in certain circumstances.
The 911 lives up to Porsche鈥檚 reputation as a luxury brand. Even small trim pieces look and feel premium, and the full leather interior and upscale cabin design are more than welcoming. Somewhat unusually, the 911 has a rear-mounted engine, which means the trunk is in the front. There鈥檚 just over 5 cubic feet of room, which is enough for roughly four shopping bags. However, the 911 has the advantage of having folding rear seats, which create extra cargo space for smaller items. The 911 comes standard with the Porsche Communication Management infotainment system, which includes a 7-inch touch screen, navigation, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, satellite radio, and smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay. Available features include a sunroof and a 12-speaker Bose or Burmester audio system. The infotainment system has a learning curve, but it works well once you've mastered it. One knock against this vehicle is that it doesn鈥檛 offer Android Auto, which many rivals do. For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay?