Spyders Down Under

Porsche plans to build 1960 special Boxster RS 60 Spyders but only 12 are destined for Australia.

These will be over here around April/May and priced from $157,800.

The new Boxsters are a throwback to the 718 RS 60 Spyder that swept all before it in the 1960s, beating much bigger engined machines.

The 718 RS 60 started its winning run by claiming the Sebring 12-hour race in the US, which at the time, counted for the Manufacturer's world championship.

The tribute model is distinguished by the Porsche SportDesign Package in the front end, a modified exhaust system with the sports exhaust combined with the twin pipe arrangement bumping up power from 217kW to 223kW.

There are wheel spacers, which do a good job of placing the 19-inch Porsche SportDesign wheels further out for a more aggressive on-road squat and also improved traction.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is standard.

It is coated in striking GT silver metallic paint that is complemented by Carrera red leather with the ragtop roof also in red.

Stainless steel doorsills carry the RS 60 Spyder insignia and a silver plate in the glove box lid is further authentication of its special model status.

Other points of difference are a new gearshift lever, unique design touches for the sports seats, centre door linings, steering wheel and handbrake.

The hood for the instrument binnacle has been removed to expose the cluster.

A few more touches include a black windscreen frame, rear light clusters and centre console in red.

The seat backrests, roll bars and seat belts are all finished in silver.

The new-age racing version of the RS Spyder, a sizzling V8-engined prototype, starred in the American Le Mans series with the twin Penske Racing entries finishing first and second in the LMP2 category.

Australian driver Ryan Briscoe was one of the series stars in the No. 6 Penske machine.