Tuesday 6th March 2012

Geneva 2012: Porsche Boxster

Paint barely dry on the all-new 911, Porsche throws covers off new Boxster

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With a well-specced 991 Carrera now nudging £100K an all-new Boxsterlooks like an even more appealing choice, this third-gen version – as before – lifting much from its 911 big brother. With a sub-£40K starting price half as much.

Carrera GT/918 Spyder influence obvious

It’s got a stronger identity of its own this time round though, those big side vents giving it a distinctively mid-engined stance while the neat, integrated spoiler at the back adds a bit of pertness. There are definite hints of 918 Spyder in the lights and flanks too. No bad thing there either.

Our man Harris will be driving the car before the week is out and, for a man you might assume doesn’t get out of bed for anything less than a GT3, appears to be ‘very excited.’

Well he might be too because while Lambo and Ferrari cater to extremes of wealth, performance and size anxiety the Boxster is very much a sports car for our times. Downsizing means a return to the 2.7-litre displacement of old, now direct injected of course, and a 3.4-litre S, both returning solid mid 30s official mpgs with the PDK gearbox. The 2.7 is good for 265hp, the S 315hp and Porsche claims a typical weight saving of around 35kg. Time to dust off the inevitable 'ring lap time and, for the record, the S will do it in 7:58, 12 seconds faster than the outgoing car and, according to our Porsche man, similar pace to the 996 GT3.

Interior influenced by new 911

Though the 991 influence is clear – electric steering included – the manual option remains a six-speed rather than the seven of the 911. The rising centre console – originally inspired by the Carrera GT and introduced to mainstream Porsches by the Panamera, Cayenne and now 911 – also carries through to the new Boxster while the roof – now one-touch, power operated – is faster than before. No excuses for not dropping it at every opportunity then.

[HeMightBeBanned]

That looks fantastic. I hope the electric power steering hasn't ruined it.

[Flawless Victory]

What's the deal with all the air-vents on the dash?

[Twilight1]

I find 7:58 very fast around the track. I wonder how much does the standard S cost in regards to the normal 2.7- version?

[kentmotorcompany]

Really nIce looking car.

Never liked the Clarksonism of "poor mans Porsche" I've always thought it to be a great car in its own right.

[Raitzi]

7:58. That is much quicker than Cayman R. How is that possible with less power?

[HokumPokum]

Raitzi said:

7:58. That is much quicker than Cayman R. How is that possible with less power?

It's not

[Venari]

HokumPokum said:

Raitzi said:

7:58. That is much quicker than Cayman R. How is that possible with less power?

It's not

IIRC, there are quite a few 'corners' on the 'ring. So, just a wild stab in the dark here, but... by being able to carry more 'corner speed'? Apparently, 'new' things can occasionally be better than what are known as 'older' things. Something to do with vorsprungs, apparently. I don't know if Porsche have ever improved anything before now (I'm an American car fan, hence I don't know anything about 'corners' either.)

[E38Ross]

Twilight1 said:

I find 7:58 very fast around the track. I wonder how much does the standard S cost in regards to the normal 2.7- version?

IIRC it's about £10k, with options a new S will cost circa £55k

looks fantastic

[Ferosferio]

In an age where car designs are being criticised for being either overly fussy or just downright bland, I think that is one of the nicest looking cars produced in recent times.

For what was originally one of the most awkward looking cars at launch (IMO), the Boxster has evolved into probably the best looking 'mass-produced' convertible/roadster available.

Porsche, I applaud you

[wildman0609]

love the way this looks

[sanctum]

Looks a bit like an MR2 tho....

[Stitch]

To the tune of The Who's Won't get caught again:

"Look at the new Boxster........Same as the old boxster"

[cragswinter]

Stitch said:

To the tune of The Who's Won't get caught again:

"Look at the new Boxster........Same as the old boxster"

Wrong

[Captain Muppet]

Raitzi said:

7:58. That is much quicker than Cayman R. How is that possible with less power?

Among many other things: it's lighter.

Performance through light weight, that could work as a tag line for a sports car company, couldn't it?

[Doshy]

sanctum said:

Looks a bit like an MR2 tho....

That's a joke, right ?

[alexpa]

Let's hope the engine isn't designed to implode at 70k like my ex-996... or numerous Cayenne abominations, or insert here

Why do Porsche make(some of)their engines like light bulbs?

[Roberty]

I actually want one of these more than the new 911.

Love my Boxster and if it looked like this with that much power I wouldn't have 911 envy any more.





Until the 991 GT3 and Turbo come out of course!

[boxsey]

I'd just got in to a 986 when they launched the 987. Now I've just swapped for a 987, they go and launch the 981! Roll on 7 years and no doubt I'll end up being one step behind again.

[stuckmojo]

I think it looks fantastic.

[nickfrog]

sanctum said:

Looks a bit like an MR2 tho....

Maybe that's because the MR2 tried to look like a Boxster in the first place ? And failed.