Autoblog

First Drive: 2009 Porsche Boxster S with PDK

Michael Harley — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Porsche, First Drives

2009 Porsche Boxster S with PDK - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Italian countryside passes by in a blur. At an indicated 265 km/h (164 mph), we have hit the invisible wall. The accelerator pedal has been jammed into the carpet for the last ten seconds, yet the sleek Porsche cannot push the molecules of air away any faster. Thanks to a stiff headwind, simple aerodynamic drag has overcome the 310 horsepower engine and arrested our acceleration a bit shy of Porsche's quoted maximum speed. Regardless of the blustery gusts, the direct-injected flat-six buried in the middle of the chassis continues to wail as it sustains the fight. An approaching curve on the horizon convinces us to reluctantly lift off the gas.

We're in Sicily testing the new second-generation 2009 Porsche Boxster S. Significantly updated for the new model year, the drop-top coupe continues to impress us. How has Porsche improved its 12-year-old platform? Are the new powerplants significantly different from their predecessors? How does the Boxster compare to the Cayman? Follow the jump to find out and take a tour of Italy with the Porsche Boxster in our high-res gallery of images below.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Porsche Boxster S PDK

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Porsche Boxster S with PDK

First Drive: 2009 Porsche Boxster S with PDK originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Porsche reveals improved Boxster and Cayman

Michael Harley — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, LA Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

Click on the image above for our high-res gallery

Even as the industry swirls in turmoil, Porsche continues to offer hope to enthusiasts as they relentlessly increase performance without sacrificing efficiency. For 2009, Porsche has given the Boxster and Cayman a mild facelift, along with updating the interior and accessories. More importantly, and following in the footsteps of the 911 Carrera PDK, all 2009 Cayman and Boxster models are also offered with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe transmission (aka PDK). Mated to the new transmission are two significantly reworked engines featuring direct injection. The result is more power, and improved fuel economy (we shouldn't fail to mention that the PDK accelerates faster than the six-speed manual). Porsche is offering two engines in 2009. The standard engine is a 2.9-liter flat-six rated at 255 hp. The "S" models are fitted with a more powerful 3.4-liter sending 310 hp to the gearbox. Like the Carrera, go-fast options on the sporty mid-engine two-seaters include active suspension (PASM) and ceramic brakes (PCCB). Look for both to arrive in showrooms in early 2009.

Gallery: LA 2008: 2010 Porsche Boxster S

Gallery: LA 2008: 2010 Porsche Cayman S

Continue reading LA 2008: Porsche reveals improved Boxster and Cayman

LA 2008: Porsche reveals improved Boxster and Cayman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Porsche to debut freshened Boxster and Cayman with PDK

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Performance, Porsche

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Porsche Cayman

Porsche is going to unveil its newly freshened Boxster and Cayman models at the LA Auto Show today. As you can see in the galleries below, their noses and tails have been redone with a touch of Carrera GT, but each car now has a unique look. More importantly, the engines and transmissions have been updated as well, with the 2.9L and 3.4L powerplants getting Porsche's direct fuel injection for a 10-25 hp bump depending on the model. Along with the extra oomph, owners will get better mileage with fuel economy rising 11-16 percent. Part of that boosted mileage comes from the direct-injected engines, but the newly available Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or PDK, double-clutch gearbox also deserves praise.

The base Boxster and Cayman will now have 255 hp and 265 hp respectively, and the S versions will be rated at 310 for the Boxster S and 320 for the Cayman S. A Cayman S with PDK and Launch Control will also get to to 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds. At the other end of the lineup, the Boxster with a six-speed manual will do it in 5.9 seconds. Gas mileage should run 25.5-26.4 mpg. The new models will hit the market in February 2009, with European prices ranging from Euro 38,600 for a base Boxster to 61,493 for a Cayman S. The full press release is after the jump, and we have official high-res images set up in the galleries below. Plus we'll have our own live, firsthand impressions in a few hours.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche Boxster

Gallery: 2010 Porsche Cayman

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading LA 2008: Porsche to debut freshened Boxster and Cayman with PDK

LA 2008: Porsche to debut freshened Boxster and Cayman with PDK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Drive: Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, First Drives, Specialty

Click the image above for a hi-res gallery of the Porsche Boxster RS 60

Our colleague Chris Tutor recently took the Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder for a few quick turns around Barber Motorsports. A tad more powerful than the Boxster S, and filled with red leather, he discovered it was plenty of car on the closed circuit. We recently had a chance to get the special edition RS 60 off the track and onto the back roads of Rhode Island and Connecticut, and got to see what the car could do on twisting country lanes - and unexpectedly, in the rain. The likewise unexpected result: damn near perfection. Follow the jump to find out how,and check out the gallery of hi-res and sometimes very damp images below.

Gallery: Second Drive: Porsche Boxster RS 60

Gallery: First Drive: Porsche Boxster RS 60

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Second Drive: Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder Limited Edition

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows

Click the image above for more high-res shots.

Porsche won't be coming to the Bologna Motor Show in Italy empty handed. Instead, the souls from Stuttgart will be unveiling a limited edition Boxster S that draws inspiration the automaker's 1960 win at the 12 Hours of Sebring in the Type 718 RS.

The Boxster RS 60 Spyder comes swathed in GT Silver Metallic paint with a Carrera Red interior to match the #42 car it's attempting to channel, along with a serialized silver plaque on the dash proclaiming its limited numbers and a new front spoiler. But it's not just a bit of extra glitz heaped atop the already competent Boxster S. The stock rollers are swapped in favor of a set of 19-inch Porsche SportDesign alloys, the suspension benefits from Porsche's Active Suspension Management system (PASM) and the flat-six is uncorked with a sports exhaust that bumps output to 303 HP.

Appropriately, only 1960 units will be available worldwide, with a base price of 53,000 euro abroad.

[Source: Porsche]

Gallery: Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder Limited Edition

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Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder Limited Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Porsche Boxster facelift in full view

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Porsche

In keeping with Porsche tradition, the next iteration of the Boxster will benefit from styling tweaks that only the most hardened auto-fanatic would recognize. These latest shots from AutoGespot show Porsche's mid-ship masterpiece undergoing testing at the Nurburgring and give those of us who care, a brief glimpse of what's to come.

The last time the Boxster went under the knife the changes were subtle, but enough to distinguish itself from its predecessor. This time, it's less obvious. To begin with, the '08 model seems to get more elongated headlamps that draw further down the fascia, while the air intakes get a similar rounded shape. LED daytime running lights are part of the package up front, while out back the taillights get more of the light-emitting diode treatment.

As for the engine, we don't expect any massive gains in performance, but it wouldn't surprise us to learn that the Boxter and its S-adorned sibling would get a slight bump in output. As for the transmission, we'll keep our fingers crossed that Porsche's new DSG will become an option, but we doubt that will take place until later next year.

[Source: AutoGespot via Motor Authority]

Spy Shots: Porsche Boxster facelift in full view originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Limited Edition Boxster is on its way

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 08 May 2007 08:53:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Porsche

During last month's New York Auto Show, Porsche displayed a Boxster coated in GT3 orange dubbed the Splashlight. There was no question that this "design exercise" was going to evolve into a limited edition version of Porsche's mid-engined masterpiece, and now, it's official.

The SportDesign Boxster is limited to 500 units, 250 plain-Jane versions and 250 models sporting an "S" on the bootlid. The exterior gets the aforementioned hue, along with a SportDesign-specific body kit made up of a redesigned, deployable wing and a series of diffusers, fore and aft. Black rims with a polished lip round out the package, tying in nicely to the black accents.

On the inside, the lucky few get Alcantara trim lining the seats and steering wheel, which should keep occupants firmly planted when the driver decides to mash the throttle and enjoy the new sport exhaust.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but we'd expect a moderate bump in over the base models.

[Source: Inside Line]

Limited Edition Boxster is on its way originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2007 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Splashlight fortells the future of limited edition Boxster

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Convertible, Porsche

How do you make the Boxster better? First, make sure there's an "S" badge on the boot and second, let Stuttgart's finest loose with some GT3 RS orange, acres of Alcantara and some time in the wind tunnel.

The result was displayed across the street from the Javits Center in New York City, but for some reason, we missed its atomic orange hue from a distance.

Regardless, the people at Porsche decided to tweak the Boxster in all the right places, beginning with the exterior. The aforementioned paint job is complemented by a set of black wheels with a polished lip, along with blacked-out wing mirrors and air intakes. The SportDesign package adds an integrated rear diffuser, front lip spoiler and the automatically deploying aerofoil to reduce lift and look trick. The only significant piece of go-fast goodness is the custom exhaust that sports a duo of "unique" tips.

On the inside, occupants are greeted with Alcantara seat inserts, while the driver gets to engage both a steering wheel and a park brake lever swathed in the sexy suede-like material. The exterior's color finds its way inside, lining the dash-mounted cup holder's cover, the door lever recesses and the layout of the shift pattern on the gear lever.

While this is all well and good, what does it portend for the future? Expected a limited edition Boxster at your local Porsche dealers this summer.

[Source: Paddocktalk via the German Car Blog]

Porsche Splashlight fortells the future of limited edition Boxster originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche produces 200,000th Boxster

Alex Nunez — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 15:04:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Porsche

Last week was big for Porsche as the automaker produced the 200,000th Boxster. The Boxster line, which now includes the fixed-roof Cayman variant, is in the midst of its tenth year on the road. Production of the Boxster and Cayman exceeded 27,000 cars for FY 05/06, reflecting the model's growth since its introduction. At that time, Porsche expected 15,000 cars to be produced annually.

Car number 200,000 was a Boxster S born at Valmet Automotive in Finland and destined for a US customer -- no surprise, as the North American continent accounts for 40% of global Boxster sales. With styling clearly inspired by the Spyders of yore, the Boxster has evolved from concept car to a brand name as recognizable and important as Porsche's other star, the 911. And like its big brother, it serves an aspirational vehicle to many. Over the last ten years, the phrase "first Porsche" and "Boxster" became synonymous for an undetermined number of enthusiasts. A first Porsche is undoubtedly a special thing, and so, by extension is the Boxster.

Congratulations to Porsche on reaching the milestone.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Porsche]

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Porsche produces 200,000th Boxster originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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