Porsche is one of the few automakers that understands subtraction as a way of improving a car. Case in point, the Boxster Spyder: a stunning, minimalist roadster.

Porsche cut nearly 200 pounds of weight out of the Spyder compared to the Boxster

The third variation of mid-engine roadster is the lightest car Porsche sells, at 2,811 pounds it’s 176 pounds lighter than a Boxster S with the manual gearbox. Aluminum door skins with lightweight interior panels from the 911 GT3 RS add to a minimalist approach. The new carbon and canvas top weighs a scant 13 pounds. Other weight reduction measures include stripping out the radio, air conditioning and cupholders. A new sport suspension lowers the Spyder 20mm or eight-tenths of an inch.

In addition to lightweight, the Spyder benefits from a 10 horsepower boost over the Boxster from the 3.4-liter, direct-injection flat-six engine, which puts out 320 ponies with 270 lb.-ft. of torque. Transferring that power to the road is either a six-speed manual gearbox or PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission both feeding a limited-slip differential.

The lightweight top adorning the Boxster Spyder looks a bit complicated. Let's hope it operates as quickly as the car accelerates.

When equipped with PDK and using launch-control, the Boxster romps from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top speed on the racetrack is 166 mph with the top down.

While Porsche has sold limited-edition Boxsters with the Spyder name, there is no mistaking that this is a different car. The roofline is chopped and the low-slung top extends further back onto a distinctive twin-bulge rear deck.

The Spyder goes on sale in February 2010 starting at $61,200.