First look: Porsche reveals new Boxster

PORSCHE has unveiled its second generation 987 Boxster convertible on the eve of its Paris motor show public debut on September 23.

More evolution than revolution, the redesigned two-seater roadster – Porsche’s least expensive model – brings only subtle styling and engineering changes to the original 986 Boxster revealed in 1996 and released in Australia in January 1997.

Due on sale here seven years later, in February 2005, the new Boxster and Boxster S will go on sale in Europe on November 27 and in the important US market on January 15.

While the hotly anticipated Boxster coupe has not been presented as part of the new Boxster range and remains likely to debut in 2006, the new convertible line-up brings a tougher exterior look, new interior, extra safety features and upgrades to Boxster’s 2.7-litre flat six and the 3.2-litre boxer engine in Boxster S.

Officially, Boxster’s peak power output rises by 8kW, to 176kW or 240hp, while Boxster S gets an extra 15kW to give maximum power of 206kW or 280hp.

The new Boxster is claimed to accelerate to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 256km/h, while Boxster S completes the sprint in a claimed 5.5 seconds and reaches a 268km/h top speed.

While EU-standard average fuel economy figures remain a frugal 9.6 and 10.4 litres per 100km/h for Boxster and Boxster S respectively, both roadster variants are now closer in performance to Porsche’s 911 performance flagship, which in new 997-series guise (launched here next week) offers 0-100km/h acceleration in five seconds (in 3.6-litre 239kW Carrera form) and 4.8 seconds (in 3.8 261kW Carrera S form).

Putting the extra power to the road is a revised five-speed manual for Boxster and a new six-speed manual for Boxster S – both said to feature considerably shorter shift travel. A five-speed Tiptronic auto continues to be available with both variants.

Porsche says both active and passive safety levels have increased with the new model, with wider wheels and wheel tracks lurking under subtle body revisions that give Boxster a distinctly 997 911 appearance, which itself is an amalgam of current 996 and previous 993-series 911. But slightly triangulated headlights and front airdam-mounted foglights retain its unique appearance.

New Boxster also comes with larger side air vents, bolder door sills and larger side windows, while the standard model now wears 17-inch alloy wheels as standard and Boxster S features 18-inch wheels.

Porsche claims the new Boxster is the first roadster in the world to secure passengers against lateral impact using head airbags. In combination with a seat-mounted side/thorax airbag, the new headbag is stored in the side window rail of the doors.

Adjusted for its increased specification, the new Boxster will be priced nine per cent lower at $EUR43,068 (about $A74,500) in Germany, where the new Boxster S will be six per cent less expensive at $EUR51,304 (about $88,500).

Australian pricing and specification will not be announced until launch and it remains to be seen whether Porsche Cars Australia will pass on similar price reductions.

The current Boxster is priced at $108,500 for the five-speed manual and $115,500 for the five-speed Tiptronic, while Boxster S six-speed manual costs $133,100, with the Boxster S Tiptronic at $140,100.