2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
How do you make a Porsche Boxster better? How about subtracting some weight and adding some power?
Adding ten horsepower to the 3.4-liter flat-six engine (output is now 320) and subtracting nearly 200 pounds (176 to be exact) will help increase performance in a car that already has a reputation for its sublime street moves. Lowering the car by 20 millimeters and adding high-performance suspension bits can't hurt, either. A 6-speed manual transmission is still standard, but Porsche's 7-speed PDK automatic transmission will be available (Note: don't ask me to spell out the "PDK." It's short for a very long German name, and I'd prefer that my spellchecker didn't explode.).
Porsche is claiming a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds and and a top speed of 166 mph. That's pretty quick, and if I were shelling out the base price of $61,200, I'd expect the car to be quick. Interested buyers shouldn't dawdle, there may be a race to dealerships when this edition of the Boxster hits showrooms in February of 2010.
The Boxster already has a reputation as one of the best performing roadsters on the market. Boosting the power is nice, and losing weight rarely cause a car to perform worse. Unique wheels and trim will help the car standout from "regular" Boxsters, thus adding to the appeal of the car for those who want to be seen driving a Porsche that's "different" from the rest of the lineup. So whether you want a little extra verve or just want to stand out from the Porscheophile crowd, this new Boxster may be for you. You know, if you have $60K laying around.