If you follow us on Twitter or have liked are Facebook page then you already know that just two days after dropping the top on the new 911 Cabriolet at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Porsche unveiled a few official details of the 2013 Porsche Boxster. Set to make its world debut in Geneva, the new Boxster weighs less than the previous generation, has a longer wheel base, wider track and even more power (see the video at the end for a quick look at the new Boxster in action).
While information on the new Boxster is sparse (expect more in March around the Geneva Auto Show) we do know that the first offerings will be a base Boxster and it’s athletic, more powerful brother, the Boxster S. The base model gets an additional 10 horses (bring the total to 265) from a 2.7 liter power plant while the Boxster S goes up by 5hp (from 310 to 315). Both Porsches come standard with a 6 speed manual transmission but can be optioned with PDK if you so choose. With PDK, the Boxsters get their best fuel consumption and will do zero to 60 in 5.4 seconds and 4.7 seconds respectively.
Besides the redesigned exterior and larger wheels, the Boxster gets a completely redesigned interior reminiscent of the Carrera GT. See the rake center console? Porsche says it improves ergonomics. We just think it looks great. Along with the interior, the Boxster gets a new electronic roof which dispenses with the convertible top compartment lid. No word yet on if there’s any additional storage as a result.
The new Boxster models are expected in U.S. showrooms in early summer 2012. The basic list price will be $49,500 for the Boxster and $60,900 for the Boxster S, not including a $950 destination charge. Hopefully we’ll get to drive one soon and let you know how they perform.
I drove my first Porsche as a college kid in 1979 – a new 928. It was cool — not Steve McQueen cool, more like James Bond cool. With its wild pop-up headlights, swoopy interior and powerful V-8 under the long hood, I couldn’t conceive of a woman driving this car. It was a guy’s car.
I’ve driven a lot of Porsches in the ensuing three decades and these days my idea of the real man’s Porsche is more 930 than 928 — raw and visceral and requiring absolute attention.
Of modern Porsches, after the GT3 RS, the Cayman is one of my favorites. Interestingly, I hadn’t spent any real time with the Boxster, either 986 or 987. I know quite a few racers who run Boxsters in GRAND-AM and PCA so I appreciate the capability of the cars. But would I feel as connected in the Boxster as in a 911? When Porsche offered up a 2012 Boxster S, I decided to find out.
2012 Porsche Boxster S
This particular Guards Red 987 was very well equipped with nearly $17K in options resulting in an MSRP of over $76K (click here to view the window sticker). As is typical of most press cars, the option list included the PDK transmission (you would be surprised how many auto journalists can’t drive a manual, but that’s a conversation for another day). Additional options included the 19” Carrera S wheels, painted console and red seat belts so the car looked good — for a convertible.
My initial drive was to get familiar with the basic features. The power top was a breeze to operate and could even be done while moving, unlike my recent Corvette Grand Sport test car, which required engagement of the hand brake. The sound system was excellent and the seats were typical Porsche – supportive yet comfortable.
On the road
The next day, I hit my favorite stretch of twisty two-lane, turned off the radio, switched on the Sport Plus, and put my foot down. With every turn, and every perfect paddle shift, my smile grew. This car is good I thought. Really good. I drove some more, pushing harder. Scratch that last thought. This car is GREAT! The handling is like the Cayman — perfectly neutral and predictable. But the grip and acceleration was much more than I expected and the PDK is incredibly responsive. As a manual transmission purist, I’ve been hesitant to embrace the PDK, but there is no denying the car is faster with it. And there is something to be said for keeping two hands on the wheel when pushing a car.
Having the top down on this crisp fall afternoon, and hearing the aggressive exhaust note bouncing off the trees, made for pure motoring joy. I pulled into my garage knowing the Boxster is a real Porsche. In fact, I mentioned to a Porsche exec I felt the Boxster was under-appreciated. He responded with “it’s more like under-realized.” Good point.
What defines a “chicks”car?
The next evening I had dinner with my friend David, a car guy who drives a BMW M3. When I showed him the Boxster, he said, “it’s nice, for a chick car.” Excuse me? I hadn’t really considered how non-Porschephiles view the Boxster. Is this the general perception of the car? Chick car? After taking David for a spirited drive, he kind of backpedaled on that remark. But it got me thinking. What defines a chick car?
Certainly appearance can play a big part. A Mary Kay Beetle, in Pepto Bismo pink? Definite chick car. Many convertibles appeal to women, but few to the exclusion of men. And the Boxster’s exterior doesn’t look particularly feminine to me. Maybe chickness comes from a particular vehicle’s marketing campaign. Not in the Boxster’s case. Perhaps it’s the perceived capability of the car. That’s easily fixable in the Boxster. Anyone who really drives this car will appreciate it has as more potential than most people can use. So maybe it’s the demographics of the people who buy them. Since the Boxster has a higher percentage of female owners than other Porsches, the car apparently speaks to women on some level. So maybe it is simply high numbers of female owners that makes a car a chick car?
Not that that is a bad thing. I know quite a few woman who can drive the pants off most guys (pun intended). But does a guy want to be seen driving a chick car? Look what VW just did with the redesign of the Beetle: they made it macho — at least more macho than the previous one — since it was selling in much higher numbers to women. Mission accomplished since more guys are taking notice of the car.
So, the question remains: What defines a chick car and is the Boxster one? Something to consider: I took my wife for a ride in the Boxster and she said, “I really like this car.” This is from the woman that hates every sports car I bring home. Maybe it really is a chick car. If so, someone needs to get me a skirt…
About the Author
Today’s post is by Roger Garbow. Roger is the founder of Ridgefield, CT-based Full Throttle Marketing, and Vice President of Car Guy Nation. A member of the International Motor Press Association, Roger is a contributing writer for the Fairfield County Business Journal, Ridgefield Magazine and China’s most exclusive lifestyle publication, Fortune Character.
In 2008, as the Marketing Director for Farnbacher Loles Motorsports, Roger drove a 3.8 liter Porsche Cayman S in an exhibition drag race on NY’s 11th Avenue to open the NY Auto Show — after getting pulled over for driving an “unlicensed” 997 GT3 Cup on city streets. When not turning laps at Monticello Motor Club, he can be found wherever car guys are gathering.
Following on the heels of the recently announced 911 Black Edition, Porsche introduces a new, luxurious and limited edition Boxster S this spring. The 2012 Boxster S Black Edition features a 10-horsepower boost and a long list of standard equipment at an attractive price.
This new mid-engine sports car is only available in solid black and features a monochrome treatment with a black body, black convertible top and black-painted 19-inch Boxster Spyder design wheels. Normally contrasting trim pieces from the Boxster S are also painted for a uniform look: the supplemental safety bars and side air intake grilles are painted black, as are the twin exhaust tailpipes and the model designation on the rear luggage compartment lid. A Black Edition model designation is embossed on the side of the fabric roof.
The monochromatic theme continues to the interior where black is the only available color, with aluminum and stainless steel used as accents. The brushed stainless steel door-entry guards feature Black Edition lettering, and the standard SportDesign steering wheel features twin aluminum-look spokes with a rim of smooth-finish black leather. Also painted black are the trim strips on the dashboard and around the six-speed manual shift lever or the gear selector for the optional Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed double clutch transmission, while the instrument dials are black instead of the usual white. Two final touches are the Porsche crest embossed on the headrests and a limited-edition badge on the glove compartment.
Like the 911 Black Edition, the Boxster S Black Edition combines Porsche’s popular option packages to deliver additional value to customers. The black-painted exterior and interior touches are part of the Design package available on other Boxster models. The Convenience package, also standard, includes Bi-XenonTM headlights with dynamic cornering function, a wind deflector, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, rain sensor and automatic climate control. Finally, the Infotainment package adds a touch-screen Porsche CommunicationManagement system with navigation, BOSE® surround-sound system and XM® Satellite Radio with XM NavTraffic®.
The Black Edition’s chassis builds on the foundation of the Boxster S, which already features exceptional balance and handling. The lightest 19-inch wheels in the Porsche lineup are fitted 235/35 ZR 19 tires up front and 265/35 ZR 19 in the rear, providing a visually dynamic upgrade from the 18-inch wheels on the regular Boxster S.
A 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, mounted in front of the rear axle, produces 320 horsepower – 10 more than in the Boxster S – while also delivering excellent fuel economy, particularly when coupled with the PDK transmission. With PDK, the Boxster S Black Edition will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and reaches a top track speed of 170 mph while achieving EPA estimated fuel economy of 19 city and 26 highway (20/29 when equipped with PDK). An optional Sport Chrono package further reduces 0-to-60 acceleration times to 4.6 seconds, two-tenths of a second faster than the Boxster S, while providing a launch control function and more aggressive Sport and Sport Plus shift strategies.
The 2012 Boxster S Black Edition price is $65,200 which gives buyers added value on several levels considering the extra functional and visual upgrades and the enhanced power output. When compared to the MSRP of a comparably equipped Boxster S, this limited edition model saves the buyer $3,200
Do you have a deep desire to impress your neighbors? Do you live in a neighborhood where the latest Porsche 911 just isn’t good enough? What’s that you say? Your champagne taste doesn’t match your beer bankroll. No worries. Buy a Porschini. What? You’ve never heard of a Porschini. No problem! Neither had we until we stumbled upon a listing for a 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago priced at only $45,000. Why so cheap? Is it a wreck? Is it a joke? Turns out it’s a little bit of both.
According to the seller’s listing this Lambo started life as a 2000 Porsche Boxster S. That’s right, a Boxster. Today, for reasons known only to the original owner (and perhaps their therapist) the frame has been stretched, a full body kit added, original Lambo wheels shod with P-Zero’s mounted and charging bull logos placed in all the right spots. And, for just $45k this creation abomination* can be yours. Talk about platform sharing….
*In all fairness, even though we’re not big fans of these conversions, this particular job is fairly well done. The Porsche/Lambo sits a bit high and a few things don’t look right, but otherwise it’s pretty damn close to the real thing, at least from 20 feet away.
Renowned US specialist journal “Car and Driver” has awarded the Porsche Boxster Spyder the title “best-handling car in America”. Thanks to its outstanding handling characteristics, the open-top mid-engine sports car from Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, asserted itself against six high-class competitors during the test drives at the Waterford Hills race circuit in Michigan. The top model in the Boxster series particularly impressed the experienced testers with its well-balanced chassis, its precise steering and its predictability, especially at the handling limits.
The test result precisely reflects the design of the Boxster Spyder: the two-seater clearly and visibly embodies the puristic form of a Porsche sports car – light, powerful, consistently open-topped plus extremely efficient and economical. At 1275 kilograms, it is the lightest model within the entire Porsche product range. In combination with the 320 hp (239 kW) six-cylinder engine, this enables both extremely sporty dynamics and economical fuel consumption – in short, exemplary Porsche Intelligent Performance. Equipped with Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package, the Spyder accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds from a standing start, but consumes just 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres (30 mpg imp.) in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). The Boxster Spyder’s optical feature is its flat, light fabric hood, which extends far to the rear. Together with the striking double-bubble soft top hardcover on the continuous rear lid, the closed hood lends the two-seater a silhouette which is reminiscent of the Carrera GT.
In terms of its basic concept, the Boxster is regarded as the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder from 1953: mid-engine and roadster concept, low weight, originality and high agility with maximum driving pleasure characterise both vehicles. The 550 Spyder was the first sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen developed specifically for racing. Nevertheless, it was also certified for on-road use. During the subsequent years, the 550-kilogram Spyder achieved numerous victories on the round circuit and in the road races popular at that time.
According to President and CEO Michael Macht, “We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers performance and a cruising range comparable to that of a sports car today.”
In today’s press release, Porsche announced they will begin “practical e-mobility tests” on three research cars, based on the Porsche Boxster model, but with all electric drives. The test is designed to provide insight into new electric drive components and battery systems for a possible electric sports car in the future. In other words, they want to play with it on the road and see what works and what doesn’t.
With the recent on track success of the new GT3 R Hybrid and having just had the chance to play with the new Cayenne Hybrid S at Barber Motorsport park, we feel that Porsche is well on their way to achieving an all electric sports car with “the performance and range” comparable to today’s Porsches. The full press release is below for your review.
Furthering the Porsche Intelligent Performance development philosophy of combining high performance with lower fuel consumption and emissions, Porsche AG will begin practical e-mobility tests as part of the Stuttgart Model Region for Electromobility in early 2011.
In the test process, three research cars with all-electric drive based on the Porsche Boxster will provide an initial insight into new electric drive components and battery systems for all-electric vehicle drive. This field test will also provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electromobility, user behaviour and the demands made of future products.
Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, sees this research as absolutely essential to the development of electric drive in Porsche vehicles. “We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers performance and a cruising range comparable to that of a sports car today.”
Porsche’s commitment to electric mobility is evident in the three vehicles introduced earlier this year, each with a hybrid-drive system tailored specifically to its intended use.
The spectacular 918 Spyder concept study is a high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology. It combines high-tech breakthroughs in engine technology and electromobility with a truly fascinating range of sporting qualities. Emissions of just 70 g/km CO2 and fuel consumption of just 3 L/100 km come with the performance of a super sports car developing well over 600 horsepower.
The hybrid system of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been developed especially for racing, with two 60 kW (82 hp) electric motors on the front axle providing a boost for the 480 hp six-cylinder power unit fitted at the rear. Replacing conventional batteries is an electrical flywheel power storage system which is recharged whenever the driver applies the brakes. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has already proven its racing qualities in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
With the Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche also offers its first production car able to run under electric power alone. With maximum output of 380 hp, the Cayenne S Hybrid consumes just 8.2 L/100 km in the NEDC cycle and pares CO2 emissions to 193 g/km. The hybrid technology from the Cayenne S Hybrid will also be featured in the Panamera S Hybrid, which will enter the market next year.
[Source: PCNA]
Written on July 18th, 2010 at 9:38am by Pepper Girl
Could you swap an old cell phone for a Porsche Boxster? According to an article in the San Grabriel Valley Tribune, that’s exactly what 17 year old Steven Ortiz did. How, you ask? Time, an eye for a deal and Craigslist.
Craigslist is many things to many people, and for a growing number it’s become a hot bed of barter. In other words a place to get rid of previous purchases no longer needed and acquire additional assets in a swap of sorts.
Starting with “an old cell phone” that most would throw away, Steven spent the next two years making 14 different trades that eventually led to the 2000 Porsche Boxster S you see above.
Not possible you say. Surely you remember the story of Kyle MacDonald who famously traded a red paperclip for a two-story farmhouse in 2006.
It seems Steven has a similar knack for the art of the deal. For the full story, check out Rebecca Kimitch’s story. over at sgvtribune.com
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