LIFE after death with 550 Spyder

That 1953 mid-engined road racer banked on ultra-lightweight construction making it a supremely agile form of transport.

Porsche has decided to resurrect the name for the Boxster family, creating the lightest model throughout the range and arguably the best looking mid-engined Porka on sale. The 1,275kg (60kg weight saving) Boxster Spyder represents the purist nature of Porsche's early cars, standing out from the rest with a low-slung soft-top and shorter side windows plus a Speedster style double-bubble rear lid.

It's not just a comeback of a legendary name and redesign though. The Spyder has a lower centre of gravity and a new suspension, while the extra power available is delivered through a PDK 'box mated to a 3.4-litre direct fuel-injected six. This engine produces 320bhp, which is 10 more than the Boxster S.

With the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder reaches 100kph in 4.8 seconds using launch control, so it once again trumps the S which takes 5.2 seconds.

Sure, you can argue that the entire Boxster line succeeds the 550 Spyder, especially since they all have mid-ship mounted engines and the sky above, but it's really the new Boxster Spyder that's captures the minimalist old-timer's spirit adequately. Back then, the 550 got its name from its weight, but the new Boxster Spyder wouldn't have the same ring to it if it was called the 1,275 Spyder.

We'll be seeing more of the newbie at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, after which it will hit showrooms across the Middle East in February next year. European prices start at 63,404 euros (including all their pesky taxes) or about Dh345,000. When you realise that the Boxster S costs Dh200,000, you may want to step back, kneel down on the ground and pick up your jaw. But calm down, because in the UAE the Boxster Spyder will only command a Dh14,000 premium over the S. And as far as I'm concerned, pretending you're James Dean on his way to a sports car race in California is worth that premium.