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2013 Porsche Boxster S - First Look

frankxbe

frankxbe

Super Member
Banned
Look for a new 2.5-liter flat-4 engine to provide the Boxster with up to 360 bhp in turbocharged form. At present, the most powerful engine on offer in the current Boxster is a 310-bhp 3.4-liter flat-6. A less powerful version of this engine, which will also find its way into the next Cayman coupe, will likely power the base Boxster.
Boxster production is slated to move to Austria, when Magna Steyr takes over the contract to build the mid-engine roadster from the Finnish firm Valmet.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/first/2013-porsche-boxster-s
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Good looking boxter!
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grillebilly said:
isn't being mid engine an advantage over a rear or front engine design?
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only when changing direction and braking are at a premium. if all one wants to do is burn rubber from stoplight to stoplight, front engine positioning works fine. Ferrari's newest beast has 54% of its dead weight on the rear, but offsets it with aero downforce on the front of up to 128kg at 125 mph, and a very advanced reactive suspension at all speeds.

Porsche has done pretty well for itself by maintaining the same basic appearance of its flagship 911, I'd say. It's classic, worth keeping, and isn't marketed to an easily amused buying public that likes what Madison Avenue tells it it does.
 
I've driven the current Boxster on a track, it s a stunningly good handling car. Better than the 911, IMO. Very nimble and well balanced.

If you want to drag race from stop light to stop light, a Porsche probably isn't the right car..

bs
 
botrytis said:
Doesn't look much different than the version before it. Does Porsche even know how to make versions look different any more?
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I respect that. While everyone else is running around trying to out-weird each other to figure out the next "cool" look, Porsche simply makes cars that look classy.
 
The Boxsters I've driven were fun. Always felt faster than my 911's, a bit more "hooked up and fun", but the clock always said different. Perhaps just my driving style, perhaps just not familiar enough with the vehicle. But still fun.
 
NB - Porsche Boxster enthusiast

Hadn't heard about any 4 cyl Turbo, possible it will show up in other non-US markets - US likes the flat-6, here's the info currently available:

"The skinny on the third generation of the Boxster is that it's longer and wider, but at the same time lighter than the outgoing model, thanks to the new aluminum body and revised chassis, while it launches with a new 265HP 2.7-liter flat-six for the base model and a tweaked 3.4-liter unit with 315HP for the Boxster S.

A cleaner look with styling cues borrowed from the 918 Spyder Concept and an upgraded interior with more space and a more mature design, along with a fully automatic cloth top complete the highlights."

The car still has, IMO, a beautiful plan view, coke bottle shape, and nice curvy appearance. These new models have aggressive creases which give the car a much more purposeful stance and look without getting overly juvinile like some Far East cars. I like the side intake strake, partly from the Carrera GT and 918. Now has an integrated soft top with no extra cover to mess with while raising and lowering. The front end intakes originally showed up on the early 2000's 911 Turbo and look very nice here. Some feel the interior is actually too luxury looking (styling from Cayenne and Panamera).

Best thing I can say is the Boxster platform is an excellent handling car that can handle a lot more power than Porsche allows it to have (always playing second to the 911). As witnessed with higher power versions of the Cayman (nee Boxster coupe), properly massaged, it can have more ultimate capability and ability than the 911, power being equalized. The car is agile and easy to drive, supremely practical with two trunks which can hold enough for a 2-3 day trip. In fact, a recent article in the Porsche Club of America Panorama details a couple who camped for 10 days with their Boxster!



Boxsters (and 911) always put a grin on my face when driven. Here's some nice pics:

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I have to say it is a vast improvement over the current offering. Sleeker, and less mundane in the front and a huge upgrade in appearance in my book. Interesting going from 6 to 4 cylinders though, (CAFE?) 360 HP from a flat 4:scratch2:

Regards,
Jim
 
botrytis said:
Doesn't look much different than the version before it. Does Porsche even know how to make versions look different any more?
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Yeah, look at the Mini, the PT Cruiser, the Camaro, the Beatle, the Charger, nothing new there either? I consider this simply a case of Porsche focusing on other things, rather than spending money on mostly useless styling changes every 2-3 years.

bs
 
These cars have come a long way....but I still can't shake my initial impression of that first generation Boxster, which was a "chick car", aesthetically and performance wise. Kind of a glorified Miata.
 
tejas said:
These cars have come a long way....but I still can't shake my initial impression of that first generation Boxster, which was a "chick car", aesthetically and performance wise. Kind of a glorified Miata.
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????

WAS is the operative word. At its introduction in 1997, the base 2.5 boxster had about 210 horsepower, upgraded to 220 or so in 2000. The 2000 intro of the Boxster S (my car) had 250 hp from a 3.2 engine. IMO, its plenty fast with excellent torque and power (0-60 around 5.2 seconds and 165mph top speed). Because Porsche wanted an "entry level" car, it was designed and built to come in at a $49K base price. The S model was $55K. With the dot com economic boom of the late 90's, the car was "affordable" to many many new owners, plenty of whom were women who could afford them. Quite a number of these women owners are pretty fast drivers, entrepreneurs, and upper management executives too!

The base Boxster of the time was still a decent performer and, after sorting some teething issues with the motor, a very smooth and competent sports car. Miata? Hardly. The Miata is a nice car but in the late 90's, smaller size, engine, power, and trunk. A nice car for what it is (much lower priced sports car) but for a different demographic, IMO.

What was important was Porsche reached a new generation of Porsche owners with the Boxster, and the Boxster and 1993 993 version of the 911 arguably saved Porsche's bacon after the economic problems of the late 80's-early 90's almost scuttled the company. The decision to build the Cayenne SUV was extremely controversial, even among Porsche loyalists, but ultimately correct to diversify the brand.

This is the 3rd generation Boxster and comes on the heels of additional evolution via the Cayman (Boxster Coupe) and 911 engine design. The midengine platform (from Porsche #1 to 550 to 914/914/6 to Boxster to 918) has proven itself as a very very capable design. The balance of power and great handling is, IMO, superb.

My suggestion is bring your preconceptions to a Porsche dealer, examine the cars, and then take a Boxster (base power now 250HP, as much as my S had 12 years ago) or the Boxster S (with 310hp) for an extended test drive. Push it as hard as you can, anywhere safely, right out of the box. I guarantee you, you won't be driving the car close to 6/10ths of what it can really do.

Budget/value issues aside, I hope you will find the car entertaining and fun to drive, and a really different experience from driving any other type of "sports car". If any "chick" can have the great sense to buy a Porsche Boxster or 911, it's probably because they're success oriented.
 
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I like the Boxter and the 911's I have worked on and driven both, both are drivers cars
in my opinion. Given more power etc. the Boxter could likely equal or best some 911's
They are both great looking cars for sure. I've driven and pushed them both
and I have to agree with mech 986 most people can't drive near to their capabilities YMMV.
 
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