Thursday 2nd April 2015

Porsche Boxster Spyder - New York 2015

Well obviously it's not being shown with the roof up!

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Porsche has a fearless honesty about its products that other few other car companies would dare to match. On the stand in New York there was absolutely no attempt to hide the fact that, however gorgeous the Boxster Spyder looks, it's basically a stirred-together parts bin special.

Exige Roadster comparison?

But what a handsome bitsa it is. Porsche's engineers and designers - even its PR managers - were happy to list where all the various components had come from. There's the same 3.8-litre Carrera S engine as the Cayman GT4, Carrera S brakes, suspension settings that split the difference between the Boxster GTS and the Cayman GT4. With awesome spannering skills and a detailed knowledge of the Porsche parts database you could probably have a go at building it yourself...

We didn't get to see the roof in place on the show stand, although we're promised that it will be more practical than the last Spyder's virtual mankini, even if it won't end up as the sort of car to keep you snug through a long winter. We're promised the new car's roof is easier to operate and more rain tight than its predecessor's. But you just know they could offer the Spyder with a bin bag in the boot as weather protection and still sell every one they could build.

[Mogul]

Looks good in Hammond's Teeth white!

Edited by Mogul on Thursday 2nd April 13:24

[PhantomPH]

Such a good looking car.

[Repent]

Any further info on the suspension? By a mix of GTS and GT4 parts, I'm guessing that means the bespoke GT4 rear arm setup has been canned?

[jamespink]

Beautifully resolved.

[highway]

How much lighter than a Boxster S ?

[EricE]

highway said:

How much lighter than a Boxster S ?

30kg on paper.

0kg if you were to option the deleted air-condition, radio with speakers and the regular 64L tank at no cost.

[Emley]

Rarely moved to comment

But I do like that... a lot !

[AdamLoewy]

ooooofff that is lovely. splurge.

[n4aat]

Those engine cowls need some slats or grills. They are very slabby.

[DeltonaS]

Emley said:

Rarely moved to comment

But I do like that... a lot !

Me too.

Although I do think it's a strange mix bag of 911 Carrera S, Cayman S and Cayman Gt4 spec parts....

Same engine as a Gt4/Carrera S, but 10 hp less than a Gt4 and 25 less than a 911 S, no Gt4/Gt3 suspension or brakes, but regular 911 brakes and Cayman S suspension.

Why does Porsche need all this Marketing ??

[leglessAlex]

I think it looks good, but I'm surprised it isn't lighter? No air-con, no powered roof and fancy seats and yet 'only' 30kg saving over the GTS? I would have thought they aimed for closer to 1300kg than 1400kg.

Also it seems that a complaint recently has been gearing that's too long, I cant imagine this'll be any different if it goes to 180!

[EricE]

DeltonaS said:

Why does Porsche need all this Marketing ??

Because they are selling more Diesel SUVs than anything else. These special editions (GT3 RS/GT4/Spyder) are supposed to keep the "sports car" image alive. Whether that works long term remains to be seen.

[redroadster]

I would love one,ticks all boxes if you like open tops.

[pagani1]

It looks good. I would add the radio, and the air con though. But not in Hammond White!

[anonymous-user]

That looks lovely - have never got on with Porsche's, last one I had was a 996 which lasted 3 weeks or so before it got ditched. However, after driving one of my team's '14 Boxter S, I was very impressed. Great to drive, great to look at, and this just adds to that.

Yes please.

[jakeb]

very "storm trooper"

marvelous though (and i dont like convertibles usually). Side on almost 918'ish

[Si_man306]

New spyder: 1390kg (1420kg with air con and radio etc, BEFORE adding further options)
370z: 1466kg

And yet all we hear is how the 370z is lardy and overweight. Considering this is porsche's lightweight option I think that's laughable.

I loved the old spyder after spending a day on track with one at silverstone. Insane money though. I also liked how rare they were (further propping up residuals).

[British Beef]

Very nice, to my eyes the best looking porsche currently on sale.

Although for £10k less I suspect the new Exige 400 will spank the arse off this, with more power, torque and 200kg+ less weight.

[Wills2]

Lovely, Porsche are on a roll at the moment well to be fair they have been on a roll for a while, yet another superb car.

Are they going to bother to build more than 10 of them?

[Squozen]

I guess I'll be the contrary one to say that I really don't like the new Boxster look at all. Far, far too bloated. I understand that these changes are required for pedestrian safety, but the 986 is still my Boxster of choice, looks-wise. Then again, my favourite 911 is the early-70s 2.4L so I'm pretty much out of step.