Porsche 550 Revival Delayed as Concept Details Emerge
Porsche’s planned return of the 550 roadster was postponed to 2017, while details of a secret 2008 550one concept by Walter de Silva have surfaced.
Plans to revive the Porsche 550 took a step back in the early 2010s, as the company postponed the launch of its smallest roadster to 2017, citing market conditions and internal priorities. The project, codenamed 551, was intended to bring a new entry-level sports car below the Boxster, drawing on the legacy of the 1950s 550 Spyder.
Official statements from Porsche at the time linked the delay to the uncertain prospects for Volkswagen’s BlueSport platform, which was to underpin the new model. The BlueSport’s small size and projected price point raised doubts about its fit for the American market, while Audi reportedly resisted Porsche’s involvement with the related R4 project. Porsche instead focused on updating the Cayman and launching the Macan before entering this lower segment.
Secret 550one Concept by Walter de Silva
While the production car was delayed, a separate 550-inspired project was taking shape behind closed doors. In 2008, Walter de Silva, then Volkswagen’s head of design, created the Porsche 550one concept as a modern tribute to the original 550 Spyder. The project had the backing of Ferdinand Piëch, but was never shown to the public at the time, reportedly at Piëch’s insistence.
The 550one drew on Boxster underpinnings and featured a mid-engine layout. Its design mixed classic Porsche cues with modern details: a 911-inspired front, centre-exit tailpipe, and distinctive louvers on the rear deck. The interior was minimalist, with handle straps, a central tachometer, and a gated manual gearbox believed to come from the Audi R8. Despite the stripped-back look, the concept included air conditioning and a multimedia system. Pop-out door handles and unique venting completed the exterior touches.
Planned Specifications for the 550 Revival
Porsche’s planned production 550 roadster was set to use the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Sports Car Matrix (MSB-M) platform, which also underpinned the Boxster and Cayman. Two body styles were under consideration: Spyder Coupe and Cabrio. Powertrain options discussed included a supercharged 1.6-litre boxer four-cylinder engine with outputs ranging from 180 to 240 PS. This would have placed the revived 550 below the Boxster in both price and performance, targeting buyers looking for a more accessible Porsche sports car.
| Engine | Power (PS) |
|---|---|
| 1.6L boxer four (supercharged) | 180 |
| 1.6L boxer four (supercharged) | 210 |
| 1.6L boxer four (supercharged) | 240 |
Project Status and Outlook
By the mid-2010s, the fate of both the BlueSport and the 550 project remained uncertain. Volkswagen’s hesitation to launch BlueSport, questions over market demand, and internal brand politics left the 550 revival on indefinite hold. Porsche’s focus shifted to other launches, and the entry-level roadster never reached production in the form originally planned. Details of the 550one concept only began to circulate publicly more than a decade after its creation, adding a new chapter to the story of Porsche’s unfulfilled return to its lightweight roots.
For more on Porsche’s approach to entry-level sports cars, seePorsche to Launch Entry-Level Sports Car Below Boxster in 2016
