Spy Shots: Next-gen Porsche Boxster caught testing
by John Neff on Jan 23rd 2009 at 2:25PM 
Click above for high-res image gallery of next-gen Porsche Boxster spy shots
Porsche just unveiled improved versions of its Boxster and Cayman at the 2008 LA Auto Show last November, but they're already hard at work on the next all-new Boxster that's still a few years out. Destined for a debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the next Boxster will reportedly feature all-new sheetmetal with sources saying not a single body panel will remain untouched. The spy shots in our gallery below show an early development mule already wearing cladding to hide some of the new design elements. Porsche is also delving beneath the skin to improve the car's mechanicals, and weight saving measures are reportedly at the top of list. If Porsche can decrease the Boxster's curb weight enough, it will likely use a smaller turbocharged four-cylinder (probably with direct injection) to power the car. Though still likely to offer more than 200 hp, a smaller powerplant would enable Porsche to meet more stringent emissions and fuel economy regulations while maintaining the mid-engine sports car's performance and world renowned handling.
Gallery: Next-gen Porsche Boxster - spy shots
[Source: KGP Photography]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
nastinupe 2:30PM (1/23/2009)
I will take the 310 hp version thank you very much. Light isn't always better. Weight keeps the wheels to the road.
Reply
Nathan 3:28PM (1/23/2009)
So do wide, sticky tires.
AMcA 9:34PM (1/23/2009)
No, weight does not keep the car on the road. In a turn, heavier cars generate more sliding forces BECAUSE they are heavier - there's just more being pulled off the road.
And in a straight line, it's aerodynamics that do the most to keep your car planted.
Steve Neill 2:31PM (1/23/2009)
Glad to see Porsche moving out of it's design boundaries and into something more revolutionary!! XD
Not.
Reply
TurboPanzer 2:41PM (1/23/2009)
I'm willing to bet that what you see there is NOT what it is underneath those camo/cladding.
Yes the overall proportion might be similar to the current one, but you'd have to be absolutely retarded to be tricked into believing that what you see is what you get.
KeatMP 2:31PM (1/23/2009)
Whats different from the current gen?
Reply
KeatMP 2:31PM (1/23/2009)
(Appearance wise)
Pokey 2:34PM (1/23/2009)
Apparently, not much.
Jeanluc 2:22AM (1/24/2009)
Are we really sure this is the next gen version? Is there anything different on the exterior that could tell us it's new? Laziest designers EVER.
TurboPanzer 2:34PM (1/23/2009)
OMGITSTHESAMEPORSCHEDESIGNERSARELAZYANDOVERPAIDANDSUCK
OVERPRICEDPIECESOFJUNKIHATEITCUZICANTAFFORD1DUETOJEALOUSY
/Get the hating out of the way
/There, Christian, I summarized your hate in 2 lines just so you don't have to. ;)
Reply
Johnnie 2:34PM (1/23/2009)
I've owned a 987 Boxster and it looks exactly the same for the most part.
I like having a flat 6 motor in my Porsche's.
I don't know how excited I could get about a 4 cylinder turbo to be totally honest.
Reply
TurboPanzer 2:44PM (1/23/2009)
You could, because a simple ECU flash can up the boost and power considerably, compared to just naturally aspirated.
If you like performance mod, a turbo-ready engine is always the way to go.
Johnnie 4:05PM (1/23/2009)
You can certainly get more power from tuning with FI, that's true...I've been doing that in my Audi 1.8T and 2.0T's for year. But even with that tuning, I still like the torque curve of Porsche's flat 6 motors better. Just personal pref.
TurboPanzer 2:37PM (1/23/2009)
About time they're moving to a turbo 4-cylinder.
The question now is if it'll be a VW-sourced inline-4 or a new flat-4 unit.
Reply
patrick clement 3:47PM (1/23/2009)
Nobody who can afford a car like this, wants to listen to four cylinder engine. Keep the Six or if they must, use the VW Rabbit based, turbo version of the 2.5 5 cylinder engine from the new Audi tt/rs.
TurboPanzer 3:13PM (1/23/2009)
@patrick
Yeah, sing it to the choir of those who bought 356, 550 Spyder, 904, 912, 914, 944, 968, hmm what else am I missing?
But of course you knew that right?
They didn't say they're going to drop the flat-6. Don't be so daft.
Ken Stamper 3:25PM (1/23/2009)
@Patrick
History has shown that people would rather have a Porsche-engineered four-cylinder than a VW/Audi-engineered anything in a Porsche. That heavy slow-revving five in a Boxster would cause riots regardless of how much power it had.
BoxerFanatic 6:45PM (1/23/2009)
The new DI-generation H6 is a modular design, which can be trimmed down to an H4.
And Porsche knows turbos.
It will not be an inline 4. That is what BlueSport and R4 will likely do.
And for those who aren't sure about a turbocharged flat 4...
I've got a 300hp AWD lesson for you. More power than Boxster and Cayman have been putting out until just recently.
I love H6s, and I would probalby prefer one in a Porsche. Especially a big one, like a 3.8 Direct Injected 385 horsepower version.
But a turbo H4 is not a slouch, not even in cars HALF of porsche's price.
Viva la boxer engines!
Eric 2:41PM (1/23/2009)
Because the 29mpg the car already gets isn't the best fuel economy for a sports car around. The addition of DI should pick that up to 30 or 31. I'm all for saving weight, but don't decrease the performance. Also, turbos aren't really the lightest things ever.
Reply
Mazda FTW! 2:47PM (1/23/2009)
Porsche puts the mild back in "Mild Facelift"
Reply