PORSCHE'S latest Boxster Spyder certainly weaves a complex web by reflecting both historical values and futuristic performance in one superbly engineered package.

The beguiling open top recalls halcyon days when the original Spyder 550 showed off its competitive edge during the 1950s.

It has also been stripped down to replicate the 550's racing specifications, and even recalls yesteryear by requiring owners to fold the two piece canvas hood themselves.

In fact, the many faces of this tantalising machine combine to bewitch prospective buyers, who will initially gasp at its awesome acceleration of 0 to 62mph in 4.8 seconds,  yet bemoan the fact that the basic model does not even warrant a radio.

But once you have equated its race bred pedigree with its power and handling and have come to terms with the paucity of its standard specification, you will really appreciate what a top class car this new Spyder really is.

And once lured into this web of contradictions you will be bowled over by the two seater for the Boxster Spyder's DNA not only reflects the whole history of the marque, it also benefits from the latest engineering expertise.

Class leading electronics boost its performance and the stiffer dampers and modified anti-roll bars ensure that it is a safe and secure car on dry, wet, icy roads and motorways and race tracks.

Porsche designers worked to an exacting brief after being requested by existing owners to produce a lighter, trimmed down version of Boxster, and they have built a model that fulfils every requirement asked.

The secret of it's appeal starts with the fact that its power to weight ratio is nine per cent better than the Boxster S and its lap time around the race circuit is seven seconds faster.

Performance is enhanced by a set of exclusive 19-inch alloys built to match the sports suspension that has been lowered by 20mm.

This is taken a step further by the removal of the electrically operated roof gear, removal of the instrument hood and the air conditioning unit.

As well as the radio some interior carpeting and door fitments are missing from this 'back to basics' model.

And that's not all, in an effort to lighten the model further aluminium doors from the 911 Turbo, an aluminium bonnet and engine lids have been fitted enabling the engineers to make it 80 kilos lighter than the Boxster S.

Due to these specification changes the Spyder, at 1,275 kilos, is now the lightest Porsche in the current line-up, yet it boasts a performance that punches above its weight.

It has a top speed of 166mph and the ability to reach 62mph in 4.8 seconds due to the excellent 3.4-litre, 320bhp engine.

This allied to responsive steering and glue like road holding, ensure that this latest version of Boxster meets the criteria of those who require the purist touch.

Before undertaking a road drive I spent a couple of hours putting Spyder through its paces on Porsche's bespoke track at Silverstone.

From skid pan to icy-style road surfaces and from a high speed circuit to a tight handling course, this car behaved in an exemplary manner.

Whilst I managed to hang the back out a number of times, the on-board electronics instantly kicked in, and put me back on track.

Out on the public roads the sense of confidence I had acquired on the track, allowed me to enjoy the drive with gusto.

On country lanes, and on rain swept dual carriageways, it was smooth and in town it purred along sedately, yet that hint of latent power was always evident by the quietly growling sounds from the sports exhaust.

Sometimes it all comes together and this was one of these occasions - but then you would expect little else from Porsche.

The Boxster in standard Spyder guise, with its urban fuel return of 20.2mpg, its extra urban figure of 42.8mpg, and its combined figure of 29.1mpg, also has a creditable CO2 emission rating of 218g/km, and its price of £46,387 makes it highly competitive against roadsters from Mercedes and Audi.

For those who wish for more, optional extras can be added, and one model I tested, with satellite navigation and telephone point, plus a few other goodies, carried a price tag of £57,360.

After some time behind the wheel of this trimmed down model I was convinced that despite lacking the myriad of items fitted to most cars of this ilk, this one, even in basic trim, is the perfect package.