Motor Authority - blog Category: Boxster

• What is it? A lighter and more hardcore version of the Boxster S
• The basics: 10 extra horsepower and 176 less pounds
• On sale: February 2010, with a public showing at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
• Price: $61,200

Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you have to wonder how we ever got to 3,500 pounds, 500 horsepower twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example--considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars--weighed a mere 1,670 pounds and managed just 40 horsepower in some guises.

It appears the Speedster has...

• What is it? A lighter and more hardcore version of the Boxster S • The basics: 10 extra horsepower and 176 less pounds • On sale: February 2010, with a public showing at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show • Price: $61,200 Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you have to wonder how we ever got to 3,500 pounds, 500 horsepower twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example--considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars--weighed a mere 1,670 pounds and managed just 40 horsepower in some guises. It appears the Speedster has made a return, although this time around Porsche has used its Boxster as the basis. The new car is called the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder and it’s set to make its world debut next month at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show before going on sale in February 2010. The Spyder is based on the Boxster S but it gets a small bump in performance, with its 3.4-liter flat-six engine developing 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque--the same as the current Cayman S. Weighing in at just 2,811 pounds, the Spyder will be the lightest Porsche available--from a company already known for lightweight, proficient sports cars. Some of the techniques used to shed the pounds include the removal of the regular Boxster’s daytime running lights and fog lamps, as well as its automatic soft-top roof. Instead, the Spyder gets a manually-operated canopy-style roof and new rear deck. Inside, the weight saving theme continues with the removal of the air conditioner and stereo, as well as the regular Boxster’s seats, which have been replaced with lighter and more supportive bucket seats. The end result is a saving of 0.2 seconds off the Boxster S’ 0-62 mph time, with the Boxster Spyder doing it in just 4.8 seconds when equipped with Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch gearbox and Sport Chrono Plus package. The other benefit of the lighter kerb weight is a slight improvement in fuel economy though official numbers are yet to be released. The combination of more horsepower and 176 pounds less weight than the Boxster S, plus an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm, a lower center of gravity, a standard limited slip differential, and exclusive wheels provides the kind of driving dynamics that back up the unique look. Aluminum door skins and lightweight interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS contribute to the weight reduction. This third Boxster model will join the Boxster and Boxster S and will make its world debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, December 2, 2009. First sales will start in February 2010, with prices starting at $61,200. Read More

Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you have to wonder how we ever got to 3,500 pounds, 500 horsepower twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example--considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars--weighed a mere 1,670 pounds and managed just 40 horsepower in some guises.

It appears the Speedster may make a return, although this time around Porsche will be using its Boxster as the basis. Porsche hasn't built a limited-edition Speedster since 1994, the last one based on the 964 generation of the 911, but these spy shots confirm that a...

Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you have to wonder how we ever got to 3,500 pounds, 500 horsepower twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example--considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars--weighed a mere 1,670 pounds and managed just 40 horsepower in some guises. It appears the Speedster may make a return, although this time around Porsche will be using its Boxster as the basis. Porsche hasn't built a limited-edition Speedster since 1994, the last one based on the 964 generation of the 911, but these spy shots confirm that a Boxster Speedster is in the works. Unique elements of the Speedster include double humps on the rear deck, a chopped windshield, and a short rear deck. Expect to see a unique bodykit and custom alloy wheel designs. One other important element is the car’s stripped out interior, all intended to make the Speedster a pure drivers’ car. The new Porsche Boxster Speedster should hit showrooms sometime next year as a run-out model. The next-generation Boxster, which you can also see testing in prototype form, is due just one year later. Read More

Late last year Porsche unveiled its updated Boxster and Cayman range but there are still several other models based on the same Boxster/Cayman platform in the works. One of these is a high-performance RS model, recently seen testing at Germany’s Nurburgring, and another is a long-rumored chopped 'Speedster' model.

However, development of the next-generation model is also well underway and images of a prototype for the car have once again surfaced. This time the prototype has been spotted on its way to Germany’s Nurburging circuit for some high-speed testing.

A rumor alleging that Porsche insiders are talking about a lightweight,...

Late last year Porsche unveiled its updated Boxster and Cayman range but there are still several other models based on the same Boxster/Cayman platform in the works. One of these is a high-performance RS model, recently seen testing at Germany’s Nurburgring, and another is a long-rumored chopped 'Speedster' model. However, development of the next-generation model is also well underway and images of a prototype for the car have once again surfaced. This time the prototype has been spotted on its way to Germany’s Nurburging circuit for some high-speed testing. A rumor alleging that Porsche insiders are talking about a lightweight, turbocharged four-cylinder platform for the next-gen Boxster recently began making the rounds. The thought coincides with possible rumors of a revived 914 that could be co-branded by both VW and Porsche, targeted at different market sectors, which means the new Boxster could certainly be fitted with a highly charged four-banger. If that’s the case, we're sure Porsche will still offer a six-cylinder option for upper range models. Such a design premise might offer more room to launch a detuned entry-level Carrera also aimed at improving emissions ratings. Even the current six-cylinder Boxster and Cayman, the most efficient in Porsche's line, emit about 222 g/km of CO2--about 100 g/km more than the projected 2015 limits. Whatever Porsche has in store for the new car, we’ll have to wait until its expected arrival in 2011 to find out. Read More

Porsche, the once unassailable leader in the sports car segment, has proven that it is not completely shielded from the current economic crisis sweeping the globe. In an official statement, Porsche revealed back in March that its sales have been struggling and earlier in the year the company reported a 27% decline in sales. Hit hardest was the Boxster mid-engined roadster, which despite a recent facelift has experienced a sales decline of almost 60%.

To overcome this, European media is reporting that Porsche is looking to expand its Boxster range with a cheaper base model. If the reports are true then Porsche is strongly considering a new... Porsche, the once unassailable leader in the sports car segment, has proven that it is not completely shielded from the current economic crisis sweeping the globe. In an official statement, Porsche revealed back in March that its sales have been struggling and earlier in the year the company reported a 27% decline in sales. Hit hardest was the Boxster mid-engined roadster, which despite a recent facelift has experienced a sales decline of almost 60%. To overcome this, European media is reporting that Porsche is looking to expand its Boxster range with a cheaper base model. If the reports are true then Porsche is strongly considering a new Boxster model powered by the same engine found in the Audi TTS. Currently, the base Boxster features a flat-six engine that outputs 255hp (190kW) and 213lb-ft (290Nm) of torque. Introducing the new TTS engine as it is found in the Audi model would give the Boxster an additional 20hp (15kW) and 44lb-ft (60Nm) of extra torque, as well as allowing the car to be sold for a cheaper price. According to Auto Motor and Sport, the idea of putting the TTS engine into Boxster has already been discussed by a joint Audi-Porsche product planning committee, and if Porsche decides to go ahead with the plan then we might see a raft of new Boxster owners swayed by the cheaper price tag. In Europe, the cheapest Boxster runs for around €46,500 ($64,000), but with a TTS engine in place it has been estimated this figure could go down to €40,000 ($55,000). However, some obstacles may stand in the way of a Porsche-Audi tie-up, especially the issue of brand cannibalization between the two. There is also the issue that many Porsche purists will have with an Audi engine, rather than a Porsche engine, sitting under their bonnet. The story doesn’t end there, however. The same reports also claim Porsche is considering adding a new roadster model to its lineup that will be positioned below the Boxster. For more information on this vehicle, check out our previous story by clicking here.2009 Audi TTS2010 Porsche Cayman and Boxster Read More

Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you'd wonder how we ever got to 3,500lb, 500hp twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example - considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars - weighed a mere 1,670lb (760kg) and managed just 40hp (30kW) in some guises.

A return to those motoring roots is thought to be in the works at Porsche, and the latest reports peg the arrival date at sometime in 2013, says Auto Zeitung. Work on the next-generation Boxster and what has been thought of as a 914 revival may be a sort of cover for the even more secret... Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you'd wonder how we ever got to 3,500lb, 500hp twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example - considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars - weighed a mere 1,670lb (760kg) and managed just 40hp (30kW) in some guises. A return to those motoring roots is thought to be in the works at Porsche, and the latest reports peg the arrival date at sometime in 2013, says Auto Zeitung. Work on the next-generation Boxster and what has been thought of as a 914 revival may be a sort of cover for the even more secret work on the 356's modern spiritual successor. But tying a design ethos that first hit the streets in 1948 in with modern safety regulations will doubtless prove difficult. Volkswagen's Bluesport roadster concept, unveiled at this year's Detroit Auto Show, is an example of what might come of such a design premise, and the Porsche-VW tie-up could be strong enough to share the platform for both applications. That would mean finding a new entry-niche for the Porsche brand without stepping on toes at Audi or VW, however, itself a tricky task. If such a car were green-lighted, it would likely fall on VW to debut the car, followed by Audi, with Porsche's version - the most expensive, highest-performing - saved for last, at least partially explaining the four-year wait time. Spy photos and details of the next-gen Boxster in winter testing captured earlier this year hint at some of the possible avenues Porsche might take with a new, light-weight, lower-power Speedster-type vehicle, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine borrowed for VW's extensive cache of powerplants. Beyond the historical and romantic notions of reviving the 356 and Porsche's motoring heritage, there is the very real practical consideration that a small, lightweight, low-power - and therefore highly fuel-efficient - car would have a positive impact on the VW Group's fuel efficiency and emissions situation with regard to both European and U.S. regulations.Next-generation Porsche Boxster spy shots2009 Volkswagen Bluesport roadster concept Read More

In the world of high-end car modification, there's extreme, there's insane, and then there's Mansory. But every now and then a tuner has to release something just a little ordinary to prove that it hasn’t completely lost the plot. That’s where Mansory 955 kit for the facelifted Porsche Cayenne steps in.

Borrowing elements from the out-of-this-world Cayenne Chopster, revealed at last week’s Geneva Motor Show, Mansory’s new 955 Cayenne picks up a carbon-infused bodykit, lowered suspension set, and new wheels.

The new kit includes an aggressive front bumper with oversized intakes, a lightweight carbon-fiber bonnet with... In the world of high-end car modification, there's extreme, there's insane, and then there's Mansory. But every now and then a tuner has to release something just a little ordinary to prove that it hasn’t completely lost the plot. That’s where Mansory 955 kit for the facelifted Porsche Cayenne steps in. Borrowing elements from the out-of-this-world Cayenne Chopster, revealed at last week’s Geneva Motor Show, Mansory’s new 955 Cayenne picks up a carbon-infused bodykit, lowered suspension set, and new wheels. The new kit includes an aggressive front bumper with oversized intakes, a lightweight carbon-fiber bonnet with integrated air ducts, pumped fender flares and side skirts to boost the vehicle’s width by 40mm, and a new rear bumper with a carbon-fiber diffuser. Performance modifications include a high-flow exhaust system with an electronically controlled valve system for when the boys in blue turn up, as well as a 45mm suspension lowering kit and performance brake package. Stopping power comes from 420mm discs and chunky eight piston calipers up front. In the rear are smaller 375mm discs with four piston calipers. A new wheel package consists of 23in aluminum five-spoke alloys. Inside, there is fully custom sports dress up kit with aluminum pedals, various carbon-fiber inserts, and leather trim with decorative stitching.Mansory Porsche Cayenne ChopsterMansory Porsche Cayenne 955 Read More