Porsche beautifies the Boxster
Porsche AG has announced the SportDesign add-on body kit for its popular Boxster, making the company the latest automaker to try to capture a bigger share of the burgeoning aftermarket for auto upgrades and accessories.
The factory SportDesign option package includes a front spoiler, a redesigned automatically extending rear spoiler, and a modified rear fascia with integrated diffuser. More after the jump...
Porsche claims reduced aero lift front and rear, without an increase in drag, so it's all good, with the possible exception of the nearly $4,900 price tag (in Germany) for the factory-installed option. A do-it-yourself kit is also available for customers who already have their Boxster sitting in the driveway. No word on U.S. prices yet, but the package will be available through Porsche dealers worldwide.
[Source: Porsche AG]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael Karesh 11:18AM (3/29/2006)
Porsche charges crazy money for aeshetic options. $4,900 is enough to buy one-third of an entire car.
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Adrian 11:21AM (3/29/2006)
Man, it's about time someone did SOMETHING to improve the looks of that hideous chunk of metal. I mean, it's still no Subaru Tribeca, but there's still time.
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Jim 12:05PM (3/29/2006)
Moving the "sphincter exhaust" would beautify the car considerably more than any add-on body kit.
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James Fabin 12:20PM (3/29/2006)
I like it. I'm a fan of factory aftermarket accessories and glad to see Porsche joining in. I have to disagree with Michael above, $4900 isn't that much money when you're buying this car - it may be too much if you were buying a Hyundai Tiburon, but not a Porsche Boxster.
James
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TJ 12:42PM (3/29/2006)
"$4,900 is enough to buy one-third of an entire car." That means a new Boxster costs less than $15,000?
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Whydrive 12:47PM (3/29/2006)
Considering folks easily spend > $3k modifying Civics or Scions, they're the ones that are crazy.
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Gunnar Heinrich 1:33PM (3/29/2006)
Did the Boxster really need beautification? Is this really the correct word choice? The first Boxster was very, very good looking. This latest rendition looks more 911-ish; which is fine by my me, but it doesn't further beautify the new car from the old in my opinion.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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a reason 1:53PM (3/29/2006)
Jim wrote: "Moving the "sphincter exhaust" would beautify the car considerably more than any add-on body kit."
Sphincter exhaust! Hilarious. I never could put my finger on what bothered me about the rear end of this car. It is definitely the sphincter exhaust.
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naugahyde 6:01PM (3/29/2006)
Looks like Porsche went through the trash at a high-school study haul and pulled out the drawings of some 15 year old kid.
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Galley 8:29AM (3/30/2006)
The original Boxster was one of the best-looking cars ever made.
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Mike 6:32PM (3/31/2006)
I have to admit, Porsche does charge a lot for options, and seems to leave important options off the base cars. $4,900 seems like a hefty price for an option that just sort of makes you look cooler... no real value there I can see.
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Bob Iverson 7:09AM (4/01/2006)
Your comments: When you bought your Boxter, you had a choice between that and a BMW M Roadster. This body kit and turbo charger might start to make up for the poor judgement.
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Ken 7:37AM (4/01/2006)
I'm with Gunter on this one. Why mess with perfection--wouldn't destroy the clean lines of my 2005 S with the aero kit or any other aftermarket looking body modification trash.
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K G 7:48AM (4/01/2006)
The sphincter exhaust- porshce people, the central solo fat exhaust is the heart of the power look for that car- not some didly little side positioned exhaust with no balance- aesthetics my friends is why they put that there- it exhudes the power and accentuates your wide wheel base look- that's part of what makes porsches, ferraris, lambos and even vettes look good- big wheels- wide wheel base- flared wheel wells- the exhaust is cool.
And it doesn't need any beefing up kit in my opinion. I don't want to be compared to some teenager sprucing up his honda civic.
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jeff morgan 8:12AM (4/01/2006)
The boxter is smooth and has a great design. I wouldnt change it's body lines at all. Especially for $4,900, when you can by a used one for a reasonable price (for a porsche) Oh yea, hey Adrian, you CANT compair a porsche to a subaru, get real.
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David Rosenberg 8:50AM (4/01/2006)
I always laugh when someone compares a Porsche to another car. More times then none, they own neither.
Yes, a Porsche is expensive but, to understand why one must sit in one and drive it.
Porsche is still a family owned business, they are not part of Ford or GM as many other foreign mfgs. have sold out to. Say what you will but......
"Porsche there is no substitute"
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Denis Falcon 9:01AM (4/01/2006)
Porsche engineers are some, if not "the", finest engineers in the world. But, the company is run by some of the greediest humans on Earth too. Porsche nearly went belly-up less than a decade ago because of their insane prices... and, they are headed to it again. When a "world classed" car like a Porsche 991/993 has a limited slip differential listed as an "option", it leaves one scratching their head.
As for the Porsche Boxster, it's at best a "wannabe Porsche", and overpriced, and simply does not look unique.
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Tom 9:17AM (4/01/2006)
Here it is, there is the Porsche (911)which in the past has benefitted some older models by the added ground effects. Then there is the boxster, cute upon its arrival and affordable for those willing to "settle" but not a 911! Quite honestly, the added ground effects should be included in the price of the car today considering its current cost. With the contiuation of Mazdas Miata, the new Pontiac Soltice and even Saturn with a sporty new convertable, Porsche will need to do something to differentiate this car from the newbies coming on line, or lose more market share. Take my Free advice, (for now) and include the add-ons in the mid '06 line, stay out of the after market arena and focus on making the best car you can like in the past.
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Dr. Steve 9:27AM (4/01/2006)
I am a previous owner of a 1999 Boxster S, I absolutely loved the car but must admit I settled for a Boxster for certain economic reasons, I purchased a very similiar Aero kit on ebay for 1499.00 and had a local body shot paint and install it for 400.00. In my opinion the auto started at beautiful and this kit significantly improved on that! Since eceonomic insecurity has left me I now own a 2004 996 Carrera S Cabriolet which is a marval. When you can pay the price to own the finest auto on US roads the 911 series is as good as it gets. I am a believer in Dr. Porsche and drive a 2005 VW Jetta for odd jobs. I will remain a loyalist from here on out. Once again check the kits on ebay to avoid the $$ expense.
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Richard 9:31AM (4/01/2006)
I guess I qualify to compare Porsche and Subaru
I own both a Subaru and a Porsche.....have owned 7 Porsches over the last 36 years, and two Subarus ovver the last 7. I don't compare or confuse the two. I have never owned a boxter--I bought my present '97 993 in 1997 off the showroom floor. Facia will never make the Boxter as good looking as the 911, but it doesn't need it to be a WAY better car, looks and driving alike--than my semidependable noisy 2003 'Roo Outback. On the other hand, I haven't taken a Porsche skiing since 1975.
Richard
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