IT MAY look like Porsche has given its Boxster just a light mid-life makeover on the outside but only the bonnet, boot and windscreen are carryover body parts from the outgoing version, and when you get under the baby sportscar's skin, there are even more significant changes.

In addition to the body mods, the 2016 Porsche Boxster update is headlined by a change from six-cylinder power, to a pair of turbocharged horizontally opposed four cylinders.

The displacement may have dropped to 2.0-litres for the entry-level car and 2.5L for the Boxster S but power and torque is up, fuel consumption is down and as both versions have horizontally opposed cylinders, the model can retain its name.

We escaped Melbourne's winter and headed to Queensland's balmier climes to see if the updated Porsche Boxster still has the fine combination of wind-in-the-hair motoring and sportscar performance, despite the capacity downsize.

Click here for the full review...