One of a kind: the Boxster Bergspyder

06/01/2019 Years ago, a Porsche development team designed the prototype of a new edition of the legendary Bergspyder. The study, based on the 981 Boxster generation, did not pass the feasibility test in the end. Here, Porsche Newsroom tells the story.

Porsche engineers constantly use prototypes to test the lightweight construction potential of the current generations of sports cars. A car especially predestined for this treatment was the Boxster, an open-top two-seater and the lightweight model among the series production vehicles from Zuffenhausen.

In 2015, the Executive Board commissioned a project group from Weissach to build a sports car based on the 981, that was to be as light and minimalist as possible. The prototype was to have an even more radical and uncompromising design than the brand new Boxster Spyder in order to achieve an exceptional power-to-weight ratio with associated superior driving dynamics. The legendary Porsche 909, with its ready-to-drive weight of 384 kg — the lightest racing car ever used by Porsche — was built with similar specifications almost 50 years before. For the engineers, the name for the project was obvious: 981 Bergspyder. Deciding on the choice of colour was also quick: white with green touches.

Based on a 981 Boxster, the result was a single-seater sports car without a top, door handles or windscreen. As with the Porsche hillclimb racing cars from the late 1960s, there was only a flat, transparent wind deflector which extended around the driver and ended at the doors. The team of engineers and designers created a cover to extend from the windscreen to the engine compartment. This tarpaulin paid homage to the 1954 Porsche 356 Speedster.

It was made initially of imitation leather, with a carbon fibre component planned for the next developmental stage, which was also the material for both rear and front lids. The dashboard underwent a complete redesign, fitted with elements from the Porsche 918 Spyder and assembled in the style of the super sports car. The seat also originated from the 918 technology platform. The passenger door could be opened, with another luggage compartment concealed behind it to provide space for a helmet shelf, a removable cover for the driver's seat and additional luggage.

fter undergoing lightweight design treatment including minimal insulation material and weight-optimised components, the ready-to-drive 981 Bergspyder weighed 1,099 kg. Powered by the 3.8-litre 289 kW (393 PS) boxer engine from the Cayman GT4, the Bergspyder had a power-to-weight ratio of almost 2.8 kg per PS. Acceleration figures of just over four seconds from zero to 100 km/h and a Nürburgring time of around 7:30 minutes were close to becoming reality.

A major question mark remained as to whether the car would be eligible for registration in some countries, which would have an impact on potential sales. As a result, the project was not pursued and the prototype remained a one-off. The ready-to-drive sports car project was on display for two years at the development centre in Weissach before finally being transferred to the Porsche Museum. The 981 Bergspyder will be shown to the public for the first time during the 2019 edition of the Gaisberg hillclimb race.

by Porsche

The Porsche Boxster was introduced near the close of 1996 and is one of the companies smallest and least expensive vehicles offered for sale. Though this may be true, the mid-engined roadster is still a Porsche with superior performance, power, and styling. Internally, the Boxster is known as the 986/987, a naming scheme that Porsche has used since its existence. The name 'Boxster' is a combination of 'roadster' and 'boxer'. Boxer represents its horizontally-opposed engine which has its pistons moving in a boxing-like motion. The roadster represents the vehicles convertible top.

The styling is credited to Harm Lagaay and borrows heavily on the Porsche Spyder and Speedster. Immediately, the Boxster was popular and became Porsche's biggest volume seller. It would retain this title until 2003 when the newly introduced Cayenne SUV took away the title. From its introduction, magazines, journalists, and enthusiasts have been awarding the car with distinguished titles and accomplishments. It has been award Car & Drivers 'One of the 10 Best Cars of 1997', Automobile's 'Automobile of the Year', Business Week 'One of the Best New Products of 1997' and more.

When introduced, the Boxster was powered by a 2.5 liter flat six-cylinder engine that produced just over 200 horsepower. In 2000 the engine was upgraded to a 2.7 liter unit that raised horsepower by about 25. An 'S' variant also became available which added the 3.2 liter 250 horsepower engine. Porsche continued to improve the Boxster and by 2004 was offered a 240 horsepower engine as standard. The 'S' was producing an astonishing 280 horsepower.

The first version, the 986 was produced from 1996 through 2004. The upgraded engine brought about the 987 which began life in 2004. It was debuted to the public at the 2004 Paris Motor Show where it shared the stage with the new 911 997. Visually, there was little change for the 987 to the 986. The headlights of the 987 are more true to the Porsche designs of the past. The side intake vents became larger.

In 2007 Porsche again improved the base engine, now up to 245 horsepower which is the same as the newly introduced and highly anticipated Cayman. The 'S' version is nearly at 300 horsepower, again, equivalent to the 'S' version of the Cayman.

by Dan Vaughan