Driven: Porsche Boxster Sports Chassis
A quick blast in new hardcore chassis option for Boxster S
Faster and with more feedback on track
As you’ll have seen from a previous blog, getting to the bottom of why passive dampers are considered better for a more focused set-up wasn’t an easy task, this being somewhat contrary to the party line that tech – with a supporting cast of acronyms behind it – is best. Indeed, in some ways this and the basic, no frills (relative) Carrera 2 were the elephants in the room, both proving in their own and very different ways how good Porsches stripped of all the electronic gubbins and tuned with good, old-fashioned engineering know-how can be.
Harder, faster ... better?
The Sports Chassis will be available from later in the year and although the hardware is apparently more straightforward than the PASM option we were told the price will be more or less comparable with the active dampers, which add £971 to the price of a Boxster S. The implication seemed to be that the Sports Chassis would only be available on the S too.
Stiffer rear axle dials out understeer
Strictly hardcore
And, guess what, that’s exactly what it does. True, we didn’t get a chance to try it on the road so – unfortunately - can’t comment right now on whether it’s a step too far for that default bumpy B-road. But on the smooth surfaces of Silverstone’s National loop the additional front-end is really noticeable, in both slower, tighter corners like the Luffield complex and higher-speed ones like Copse. An ambitious turn-in to either in the standard S induces obvious understeer that you just have to offset with a slower entry or sit out until you can pour in more power.
PASM is the more all-round choice
Credit to Porsche for offering us the choice though. And if you want your Boxster as an all-rounder then PASM makes a lot of sense. If, however, you want something a bit sharper and intuitive, well, you can have that instead. Horses for courses and all that.
 A PASM-equipped Boxster... |
 ...and one with the new Sport Suspension |
| PASM | Sports Chassis | |
|---|---|---|
| Front axle height | -10mm | -20mm |
| Rear axle height | -10mm | -20mm |
| Spring rate front | +12% | +20% |
| Spring rate rear | +15% | +25% |
| Anti-roll bar front | +12% | +22% |
| Anti-roll bar rear | +10% | +46% |
| Dampers | PASM | 'Sport Set-up' (passive) |
Note: all values compared with standard, non-PASM suspension
Porsche, I salute your ability to sell cars in large numbers at a huge profit; but I suspect I will never again have any kind of desire to own one of your cars.
"If you’re in the slightly unlikely position of looking for a Boxster S for regular track-work then the Sport suspension kit is definitely worth considering. It sharpens up the standard Boxster S’ already sharp driving experience to an impressive degree. On track it feels noticeably harder-edged than a PASM-equipped Boxster S, with less roll, a more responsive front end and a near-total absence of understeer. A classic case of small revisions having a major impact on the way the car drives: dynamically it feels far closer to a Cayman R than a standard Boxster.
On the road it’s equally hardcore – perhaps a bit too much so – with the same lightning responses but the firmed-up chassis picking up the sort of road imperfections that a PASM-fitted Boxster S would float over."
Another way of lightening the wallet of eager Porsche fans. I am sure it will be very nice to drive, but the gross margin on these options is obscene. So what to do? Throw caution to the wind and pay up for a dream car, or be sensible and compromise. Is this a purchase with the heart or the head?
Another way of lightening the wallet of eager Porsche fans. I am sure it will be very nice to drive, but the gross margin on these options is obscene. So what to do? Throw caution to the wind and pay up for a dream car, or be sensible and compromise. Is this a purchase with the heart or the head?
There are expensive options on some cars which may lose their 'value' entirely BUT they make the car saleable - if they were missing, you'd find it much harder to find a buyer, basically.
It's a lottery of course - you've no idea what will and won't be wanted by a buyer in X years time, but you have to consider both the raw cost and the effect is has on 'resale' over and above just the cost.
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