Porsche Boxster 25 Years 13 | 01 | 2021

    PORSCHE HAS LIFTED the wraps from a new special edition of the Boxster to celebrate the roadster’s silver anniversary. Inspiringly badged the “Boxster 25 Years”, only 1250 units will be available globally. Prices start at £72,760, with first deliveries scheduled for the Spring. (Related: New Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS)

    Power comes from the same 395bhp 4.0-litre flat-six engine lifted from the flagship Boxster GTS. Delivering 400Nm of torque, it covers the 0-62mph spring in 4.0 seconds and carries on to a top speed of 182mph. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, though a seven-speed automatic is available as an option. (Related: Porsche Boxster T)

    The limited edition does with a package of electronic wizardry as standard. There’s Porsche’s Active Suspension Management system, which lowers the car’s ride-height by 10mm, plus it adds adaptive dampers. A torque vectoring system and a mechanical limited-slip differential are also standard, as is Porsche’s Sport Chrono package. The latter includes a launch control system allowing the driver to shave a few tenths off the automatic model’s 0–62mph time. (Related: Singer creates rally-spec Porsche 911)

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    There are also a few cosmetic tweaks, including a choice of three paint finishes: Silver Metallic, Deep Black Metallic and Carrara White Metallic. High-gloss tailpipes and an aluminium-look fuel filler cap are also included.

    Most noticeable is the Bordeaux red fabric roof, just like the original Boxster. In this case though, the fabric is embossed with “Boxster 25” lettering to mark the anniversary. (Related: Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid gets update)

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    Another striking feature of the new car is the reinterpreted colour Neodyme, a copper-like shimmering hue, which was first seen on the pioneering 1993 Detroit showpiece where it provided a contrast to the GT Silver Metallic colour. On the 25 Years model, Neodyme is used to pick out the front apron, the side air intakes, the lettering and the unique design, two-tone 20-inch alloys. (Related: Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Edition)

    Inside the cabin there’s a pair of Bordeaux leather sports seats which match the hood. An interior trim package in aluminium, 14-way electrically adjustable sports seats, door sill trims with Boxster 25 motifs, LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Lighting System (PDLS), a heated GT multi-function sports leather steering wheel, and front and rear ParkAssist are all standard. The interior and roof are also available in Black. (Related: Porsche 911 Turbo gets 572bhp)

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    A quarter century of pure driving pleasure: the Boxster family turns 25

    The Boxster has a very special meaning for Porsche as it marked a re-orientation of the sports car manufacturer’s model strategy and provided a way forward during the difficult economic times of the mid-1990s. This was reflected in the first water-cooled production flat-six engine, and also in the intelligent carry-over parts concept that made its debut with the agile mid-engined roadster. This saw many components incorporated into the Type 996 generation 911, which was launched a year later and helped Porsche return to profitable production.

    The attractively priced two-seater captured the hearts of new, younger customers from the start. In terms of looks, it incorporated core elements of the already renowned history of the brand. The visual appearance of the Boxster concept car shown in Detroit evoked images of the legendary 550 Spyder and the 718 RS 60 Spyder racing car. (Related: Porsche confirms base 911 prices)

    Its public reception was so overwhelming in January 1993 that the Porsche Executive Board intervened in the ongoing design development of the production model and encouraged the team to; “Build the concept car just like that”. As time would tell, it was a wise decision.

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    When the production model launched in August 1996, it bore a strong resemblance to the motor show star. Since it shared its front end with the Type 996 generation 911, there was no question about its lineage. The Boxster was a true Porsche. At the same time, its mid-mounted flat-six engine located literally in the centre of the car behind the seats, contributed to the responsive chassis dynamics. Initially a displacement of 2.5 litres with an output of 204 PS (159 kW), the innovative powertrain was engineered to meet stricter emissions standards thanks to water cooling, four-valve technology and variable intake timing.

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    An increase in power and further model enhancements followed soon after. The first Type 986 Boxster generation received a 2.7-litre engine in 1999, initially with 220 PS (162 kW) and later with 228 PS (168 kW). On its debut, the Boxster S was powered by a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine with 252 PS (158 kW), which soon became 260 PS (191 kW).

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    The Type 987 generation followed in 2004 with a refined design, 17-inch wheels and a redesigned interior as well as optional PASM with variable damping characteristics, PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake) ceramic brakes and the Sport Chrono package.

    With unchanged displacement, the engines delivered 240 PS (176 kW) and 280 PS (206 kW) respectively. By the end of their production period, engine outputs had reached 255 PS (188 kW) from a displacement of 2.9 litres and 310 PS (228 kW) from a displacement of 3.4 litres. The PDK gearbox also replaced the previously offered Tiptronic S automatic transmission.

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    In 2012, Porsche presented the comprehensively restyled and visually sharpened Type 981 generation Boxster. Thanks to a completely new lightweight body and a fully redesigned chassis, the newcomer was more muscular, more striking and faster than ever before. The all-electric fabric roof folded neatly away without a convertible top compartment lid, the axle overhangs were even shorter, and the windscreen was moved further forward.

    The more economical boxer engines came with direct petrol injection and started out as a 2.7 litre six-cylinder engine with 265 PS (195 kW) and a 3.4-litre engine with315 PS (232 kW). In April 2014, the Boxster GTS followed with 330 PS (243 kW). The Boxster Spyder was undoubtedly the highlight, with a 3.8-litre engine that caused a real sensation with 375 PS (276 kW).

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    The current Type 982 generation Porsche 718 Boxster set a new course in January 2016, making its debut with flat-four ‘boxer’ turbo engines and an enhanced design. The 2.0-litre motor delivers 300 PS (220 kW) and the 2.5-litre boxer engine 350 PS (257 kW) thanks to a variable turbine geometry turbocharger.

    The Boxster GTS followed shortly after with 365 PS (269 kW). In mid-2018, the new edition Boxster Spyder climbed to the top of the range. It shares a 420 PS (309 kW) 4.0-litre engine with the hard-top sporting flagship model, the 718 Cayman GT4. Since 2019, this six-cylinder mid-engine has also powered the 400 PS (294 kW) 718 Boxster GTS 4.0.

    Related: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 gets flat six

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    Jim McGill

     

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