The new Boxster has a new lightweight body, new direct-injection flat-six engines and what Porsche calls a 'completely revised' chassis. This involves a 'considerably lower weight' (though Porsche isn't yet saying by how much), a wider track, a longer wheelbase and electric power steering.
The styling is determinedly evolutionary, but to the collective eyes of PHHQ the Porsche 918-esque nose and more curvaceous sides and rump offer more than a couple of echoes of the original Boxster concept from 1993. Which surely can't be a bad thing.
Inside there's the now-familiar Panamera-style centre console treatment and the hood (only now fully electric) gets rid of its separate compartment lid for when it's stowed.
Under the bonnet (boot?) are a pair of new flat-six engines with direct-injection and start-stop tech. The new power unit fitted in the Boxster delivers 265hp from a 2.7-litre displacement - 10hp more than its larger-capacity predecessor. It is also now based on the 3.4-litre engine of the Boxster S. Said 3.4-litre S also now delivers 315hp, 5hp more than before. Both models feature a manual six-speed gearbox as standard (rather than the seven-speeder of the 991), with the seven-speed dual-clutch (PDK) available as an option.
The new Porsche Boxster will go on sale in the UK from April 28. And is priced from £37,589, (£45,384 for the S).