PORSCHE’S Boxster has cemented itself into the range with a tenacity that defies the fact it’s no longer the strongest-selling model in the local line-up. The security of the basic concept will be even further assured when the hard-top Cayman version goes on sale here in February. In the meantime, there's a quite extensively revised Boxster that brings more power, even better roadholding, more safety and improved comfort for less money than the previous model. As ever, the Boxster remains the benchmark for tight, compact, two-seat sports cars with its combination of perfectly balanced handling and an absorbent, comfortable ride. But if you want the true Porsche experience, you must stipulate the five-speed manual that is standard in the base 2.7-litre Boxster. The five-speed Tiptronic auto might be one of the best sequential transmissions in the business, but it still dilutes the two-seat Porsche’s appeal.
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Porsche Boxster
Released: January 1997
Ended: January 2005
Family Tree: BoxsterPorsche's first Boxster arrived in Australia in January 1997, a year before the all-new liquid-cooled 911 coupe. Available with only a 150kW/245Nm 2.5-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, it was priced at $109,900. October 1999 saw the release of a revised 2.7-litre version offering 162kW/260Nm, while the 185kW/305Nm 3.2-litre Boxster S also arrived at that time, priuced at $132,600. A facelift for the 2003 model year was released in August 2002, comprising a 168kW/260Nm 2.7 Boxster and 191kW/310Nm 3.2 Boxster S - both also comprising a glass rear window.
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