Porsche 981 Bergspyder study (2015)

Date of unveil by Porsche AG: May 30, 2019
Premiere: May 30, 2019 Gaisbergrennen, Austria

Porsche Boxster 981 Bergspyder — © Porsche

Engine	3.8 B6 289 kW
Gearbox	6-speed manual
Weight	1099 kg / 2423 lb

In 2015, Porsche's executive board ordered Weissach engineers to design and build the lightest sports car possible based on the 981. It was to be more minimalistic than the 981 Spyder. Some of the inspiration came from the 1968 Porsche 909 Bergspyder, although 909 was a complete space-age machine with no magnetic metals used and there was no chance to get power-to-weight ratio anywhere near the brainchild of Ferdinand Piëch. The 981 Bergspyder became 16% lighter than the 981 Spyder and got a special 3.8-litre engine with 289 kW, but the 909 Bergspyder with 2-litre engine would still have a 100% or 2 times better power-to-weight ratio, because it was a purpose-built hill climb racer.

The 981 Bergspyder study did not pass the feasibility test and remained a one-off, a delight and eye-candy for Porsche fans. The car was shown to the public for the first time in 2019 at the classic Gaisberg hill climb event in Austria.

Porsche Boxster 981 Bergspyder instruments — Unique dashboard and simple centre console around the gear lever© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 981 Bergspyder dashboard — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 981 Bergspyder tachometer from 918 Spyder — The instruments in this prototype are from the 918 hybrid, that's the reason they read "Zero emission" and "Charge" © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 981 Bergspyder engine cover — Some retro-styling on the 3.8-litre engine © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 981 Bergspyder roll-over bar — The passenger door could be opened to access the special luggage compartment for a helmet and a removable cover for the driver's seat© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 981 Bergspyder steering wheel — Cool © Porsche

Porsche 981 Bergspyder vs 909 Bergspyder — 1099 kg/2423 lb vs 384 kg/847 lb © Porsche

Continue to 718 Boxster (982)

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