Porsche Boxster
The styling of the Boxster is owed to former "Style Porsche" department head Harm Lagaay . His Boxster design study and the production Boxster stimulated a commercial turnaround for Porsche after several difficult years of falling sales. Porsche internally designated the first generation of the Boxster the 986 . The visual appearance of the 986 is heavily inspired by the Porsche Spyder and Speedster . The Boxster features two models; the standard model with a 200 bhp (149 kW), 2.5 L flat six cylinder engine (enlarged to 2.7 L and 225 bhp (168 kW) in later model years), and the model "S" with an enlarged 3.2 L engine producing 258 bhp (192 kW). One unique styling feature on both the 986 and 987 is the automatically extending rear spoiler that extends at 75mph and retracts at 56mph which pushes down on the back end to increase steering control and stability. Combining the traditional Porsche virtues of quality, reliability, performance, and handling, with styling reminiscent of the larger 911 (to the point where buyers of the 911 complained that their car looked too similar to the Boxster), the car has been popular both with car industry journalists and with buyers. It was Porsche's biggest volume seller from its introduction in model year 1997 until the company introduced the Cayenne SUV in model year 2003.
Porsche Boxster
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BOXSTER - Wheelbase (mm): 2400 - Length/Width (mm): 4133/1740 2003 : Boxster's first facelift. Both 2.7 and 3.2S models gain extra 8hp, raising power to 228bhp and 252bhp respectively. S's torque also up by 3lb ft. Both models accelerate quicker and are more fuel efficient. Front and rear bumpers are new and air intakes are improved for both aerodynamics and cooling. New retractable rear spoiler also fitted. Clear indicators, upgraded interiors (cup holders), sports exhaust note and lighter alloy wheels help differentiate the new from the old. But the glass rear screen is the headline news (for some people anyway!)
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Boxster 1997 to 1999
2-door, mid-engined six-cylinder convertible. The saviour of Porsche after recession-hit '90s, Boxster offered true entry level Porsche ownership without feeling as if you are missing out. 911-esque looks drew critisicm from press (and 911 owners!), but sublime chassis and instant responses more than made up for this. Early straight line performance worries of original 2.5 models were quashed with the introduction of the 220bhp 2.7 and 246bhp 3.2 litres 'S' models two years after launch. Superb chassis dynamics provides Boxster with serious point-to-point ability and more than make up for the 'limited' horse power figures. Image not the strongest, but crucially Boxster stimulates all the right senses and is a real mini-911 with down to earth running costs
The New Boxster - 2005 to date
Eight years after the first cars launch the new Boxster finally arrives. Both the 2.7 and S feature slightly improved straight line performance and a new exterior, but the real step forward is the cabin quality. Like the 997, the new Boxster has a Cayene influenced interior andis all the better for it. With the old Boxster still at the top of the roadster pack, Porsche needed to do little to the driving dynamics to keep the new model fresh. However, like it did with the 997, Porsche has achieved the impossible and made an almost perfect car even greater. Mid engined roadsters just don't come any better than the Boxster!
