Porsche unveils completely new Boxster, most extensively changed since 2004

Porsche has just pulled the virtual covers off of the latest generation Porsche Boxster. And although Porsche has been known to stick to the sayings, “evolution instead of revolution” and “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the Porsche Boxster has pretty much been significant updates to the previous generation—much like the 911. I mean, this latest version is only the third generation and the Boxster has been with us since 1996.

But this time around, Porsche isn’t kidding when they say that this is an all-new Boxster. Internally named the Type 988, the new Boxster is the most thoroughly updated model since the predecessor, the Type 987, which debuted almost eight years ago.

Much like the latest 911, the internally coded 991, the Porsche Boxster 988 gets a completely new lightweight body, allowing it to ride on a longer wheelbase with a wide track, all while weighing less than the outgoing model. Visually, the Boxster receives some of the treatments that were first seen on the Panamera, such as the more raked trunkline and the taillights.

Thanks to a change over to electromechanical power steering and the new body, the new Boxster is also 15% more fuel-efficient on the European cycle. Powering the new Boxster is a new 2.7L 6-cylinder, good for 265hp, while the new Boxster S gets an updated 3.4L flat-four that makes 315hp. Both feature standard manual cog swappers while Porsche’s PDK-nonsense (pronunciation-wise at least at an English standpoint) is also available. Sprints to 60 clock in at 5.4 seconds for the standard Boxster and 4.7 seconds with the real-man’s three-pedal setup. Porsche didn’t say themselves, but I’d expect some slightly quicker times with the PDK.

They’ll arrive at your nearest dealers at the beginning of this summer with a base price of $49,500 for the normal Boxster, $60,900 for the Boxster S.

– By: Chris Chin