Boxster Bergspyder is the Single-Seater Porsche to Rule Them All

A true mountain pass corner carver

The mid-engine Porsche Boxster is one of the most rewarding sportscars you can buy. But imagine if Porsche built an ultra-lightweight version? One with only seat? That is the beauty of this unique Porsche Bergspyder concept. To many, it's the ultimate Boxster. 

A family affair

As with most unique Porsches, the 981 Bergspyder draws its inspiration from a legendary road racer of the 1960s: Porsche's 909. Side-by-side, the lineage is obvious. It also illustrates how incredibly low the 909 is. Both have open cockpits, with the driver only protected by a small deflector screen. 

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What is in the name?

The 981 Bergspyder's platform is a third-generation Porsche Boxster. That is easy enough to fathom. But what about the name? Well, 'berg' means mountain in German - and the 'spyder' bit is easy enough to understand if you are a Porschephile. It is what it says: an open-top hillclimb car, ready to tame any mountain pass. 

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Striking single-sided design

There is beautiful asymmetry to the single-seater cockpit, a striking feature of the packaging. Note too, the unique rearview-mirror placement. Unfortunately, the open-cockpit design was also the 981 Bergspyder's undoing - with Porsche canceling the production version, due to fears about legal issues in certain markets.  

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Where's the SavtNav?

The green styling undertone from the 981 Bergspyder's exterior is repeated inside the cabin, with lime-colored trim piping. As with all Porsches: there is a proper twist-and-turn ignition slot, with the Bergspyder featuring a very green keyfob too. The six-speed manual gearbox operates with a very closely positioned shifter, perfect for downshifting into those delicate Alpine hairpins. 

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A tach that runs to 10 000rpm?

Only a very special Porsche redlines at 9000rpm - and the Bergspyder's central dial gives a clue to the special flat-six which powers it along. The 3.8-liter engine was borrowed from Porsche's previous-generation Cayman GT4 and makes a very potent 388hp. Good enough for 0-60mph in only four seconds. 

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There's lightweight and then there's this...

The 981 Bergspyder might be an ultra-lightweight Porsche, but its antecedent namesake is much lighter, and smaller. This nose-to-nose image illustrates just how small the 1968 909 Bergspyder really is. And its weight? An astonishing 847lb....

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Forget the helmet, just wear a cap

Viewed in motion, the 981 Bergspyder looks absolutely glorious. It really is a shame Porsche never put it into production. The driver feedback and agility of that tauter open-cockpit bodywork, as well as the low 2423-lb curb weight,  would have made for an awesomely responsive sportscar. And an indulgently selfish one too: with seating for only one...