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porsche boxster

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PORSCHE BOXSTER

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The Porsche Boxster prototype, designed by Grant Larson, was first introduced at the 1993 Detroit Auto Show. Based on the enthusiastic public response, Porsche immediately set to work on the real roadster.

Porsche Boxster Prototype
Boxster Prototype 1993

1957 Porsche 550 Spyder
Porsche 550 Spyder

Porsche Boxster, 986.
1997 - 2004

Porsche Boxster
  Porsche Boxster 1997

Boxster with hard top
  Boxster w. Hardtop

Boxster with top up
  Boxster w. Top Up

Silver Boxster
     2003 Boxster

The Porsche Boxster, designed by Harm Lagaay based on the original Boxster concept, was first introduced in late 1996 in Europe and on January 4th 1997 at the L.A. Auto Show. It was an immediate hit.

Porsche designed the Boxster as a modern version of the Porsche 550 Spyder of the mid 1950's, like the one pictured on the left. Although it wasn't the most powerful race car of the time, its mid engine design helped make it one of the most successful. The name Boxster comes from combining the Boxer (motor) with Roadster, which certainly fits this car. As an internal designation, the first generation Boxster is known as the 986.

Because of its popularity, Porsche was unable to produce enough Boxsters at its main plant in Stuttgart, so they contracted assemble of most Boxsters to Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

The Boxster's mid-engine layout, with the engine located in front of the rear wheels, makes the Boxster handle like a dream with almost equal weight on its front and rear wheels. It is a true driver's car. It closely resembles the prototype first shown at the 1993 Detroit Auto Show. The mid-engine layout means that there is no rear seat, but there are 2 trunks.  One in front and one in the back.

The first generation Boxster had a liquid cooled 2.5 liter boxer six cylinder engine rated at 201 hp which propelled the car to 100 kph in 6.9 seconds. The engine is also called a flat six because of its design, with two banks of 3 cylinders positioned horizontally opposite each other. This design allows a very low centre of gravity for the engine. The real beauty of this car is the way it handled with its neutral balance and low center of gravity.

Porsche Boxster 987
2006 - 2012

2006 Porsche Boxster
       2006

Porsche Boxster Rear Quarter
2006 Boxster

Porsche Boxster Brakes
    Front Brakes

Porshce Boxster 2006 dash
2006 Boxster Interior

In 2005, the second generation Boxster, with model designation 987 was introduced, with revised headlights and larger front intakes for the twin radiators.  Side air inlets where also increased in size for additional cooling and feeding air to the fuel injection system. The taillights and automatic spoiler, which extends at speeds over 120 km/hr, where also revised. In the Porsche tradition, it was faster with improved handling. It now has a 2.7 liter engine rated at 240 hp propelling the Boxster from 0 - 100 kph in 6.2 seconds.

The Boxster S with its 3.2 liter, 280 hp engine accomplishes the same task in 5.4 seconds.

For 2007, both cars retain the same body, but received another bump in power.  The Boxster with the 2.7 liter engine developing 245 hp and the Boxster S getting a larger 3.4 liter engine and 295 hp.

For 2009, the Boxster received a minor facelift and is refered to internally as a 987.5. The flat six engine went from 2.7 to 2.9 liter developing 255 hp. The Boxster S with its 3.4 liter engine getting a bump to 310 hp thanks to the use of DFI (direct fuel injection). Both engines where also redesigned to eliminate the IMS bearing. Also new for 2009 was the optional automatic transmission. The Tiptronic being replaces with PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or dual clutch transmission).

Porsche Boxster 981
2013

Porsche Boxster S 981

In 2012, Porsche introduced a completely redesigned, third generation Boxster at the Geneva Auto Show, with sales of the 2013 model starting in July. Internally, it has the code name 981. Every body panel and the whole interior is completely new.

This new model is built at both the main factory in Stuttgart and also at a new one (the former Karmann plant in Osnabrück, Germany).

This new Boxster includes energy saving features like Auto Start/Stop (Which can be disabled at the touch of a button.), thermal management to shorten warm up time, dual air intakes for better engine breathing and electric servo power steering which eliminates engine drag from traditional power steering pumps. Weight has also been reduced through use of lighter materials such as aluminum doors.

A longer and wider wheelbase improves handling of this car which has already been considered to be the benchmark in the handling category. Further improvements include the top which will now latch/unlatch and lower or raise in a mere 9 seconds at the touch of a button.

In 2016, Porsche introduced another update to the Boxster. Most body panels received a mild redesign. The big change however, was replacing the previously fabulous naturally aspirated flat six engine with a new turbo charged flat four cylinder. With an internal designation of 982, Porsche also added the number 718 to both the Boxster and its coupe version, the Cayman.