New Generation
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BoxsterThe second-generation Porsche Boxster comes with even more self-assertion, more power and more performance.
New Face The design of the new generation is full of clarity, tension and functionality. Particular high-lights at the front are the new headlights, the front lights now forming separate units, the larger air intake scoops and the new contours of the front lid. With their higher, more striking topline, the front wheel arches stand out more clearly from the bootlid. The side view is characterised by larger wheels, larger air intakes in front of the rear wheels, and new, protruding door handles. The rear end remains typical of the Boxster in every respect, but now looks even more muscular with the bumper positioned higher up and the dividing seam moving up at an angle. Apart from the model designation at the rear and the newly designed, oval tailpipe, the Boxster is also characterised by its black eloxy-painted brake callipers. Superior Aerodynamics The second-generation Boxster is even more superior in terms of aerodynamics, with the drag coefficient down from 0.31 to 0.29. At the same time Porsche's developing engineers have minimised lift forces on the front and rear axle in the interest of superior safety and stability even at very high speeds. To achieve this goal, the floor layout, the swept nose of the body and the round contours of the front end have all been optimised for superior aerodynamic efficiency and a significantly enhanced flow of cooling air. Extra Torque The six-cylinder power unit of the Boxster remains largely unchanged with the exception of one significant modification: The bearing bridge on the crankshaft is now made completely of aluminium reducing engine weight by a significant 5.5 kg. Apart from its increase in maximum output, the 2.7-litre power unit offers more torque at low and medium engine speeds. Among other things, this is attributable to fundamental, ongoing development of the entire air flow system from the air filter to the exhaust tailpipe. The new, even larger filter, to take just one example, significantly reduces counter-pressure and facilitates the process of drawing in air. Another new feature is the twin-chamber distributor pipe complete with a distributor flap. The optimised air supply provided in this way means a lot more thrust from just 1500 rpm, with maximum torque of 270 Newton-metres or 199 lb-ft between 4700 and 6000 rpm. Power is transmitted on the Boxster by Porsche's revised five-speed manual gearbox. Shift operation is modified to shorten shift travel by approximately 27 per cent. The new six-speed manual gearbox of the Boxster S is available as an optional sports package together with "Porsche Active Suspension Management" (PASM). And five-speed Tiptronic S also comes as an optional extra. Sporting Suspension - as an Option with Active Control
Superior Brake System The exemplary brake system of the Porsche Boxster has been modified on two major counts: At the rear brake discs measuring 299 millimetres (11.78") in diameter ensure optimum deceleration, while the brake discs at the front are the same size as before. The wheel bearings feature black eloxy-plated monobloc swing-calliper brakes pressed against the brake linings in each case by four pistons. To reduce the forces required for operating the brakes and ensure even faster brake response, the second major improvement is an increase in the servo reinforcement effect by 18 per cent. And last but not least, the servo pressure for the brakes now comes from a mechanically driven pump, and no longer from underpressure in the intake system. PSM Featured as Standard, Sports Chrono Package Coming as an Option The active safety package in the Boxster now comes as standard with upgraded Porsche Stability Management (PSM) comprising the well-known ABS (anti-lock brake system), ASC (anti-slip control), EDC (engine drag control), and ADB (automatic brake differential) functions. Developed to an even higher standard with even more precise control quality and optimised ABS components, these superior systems, in conjunction with the new tyres, make stopping distances even shorter. The Boxster driver seeking an even higher standard of sporting performance in his roadster will probably go for Porsche's Sports Chrono Package offering an even "steeper" gas pedal control map, a harder speed limiter at maximum revs, and activation of Porsche Stability Management (PSM) at an even higher point. And in conjunction with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) available as an option, the Sports Chrono program makes the dampers even harder and firmer in the Sports mode. Extra Space in the Redesigned Interior Although the car is only slightly larger outside, the Boxster offers more space in the completely redesigned interior thanks to the pedals moved further to the front and the lower seating position. The new seats, in turn, also offer more space and better support at the sides. In all, the Boxster is available with four different types of seats: The standard seats with electrical backrest adjustment, all-electric seats with lumbar support, leather sports seats with enhanced side support, and adaptive sports seats with individually adjustable side cushions on the seat bottom and the backrest. Use of new materials within the interior including Alcantara, leather and trims finished in aluminium-look, creates a very sophisticated flair. The three circular dials with the rev counter in the middle and black faces are now further apart in the new instrument cluster, ensuring even greater clarity, particularly with white LED illumination at night. A power-operated soft roof is now obviously featured as standard, opening and closing at speeds of up to 50 km/h. At a speed between 10 and 50 km/h, all the driver has to do is briefly touch the roof button to open or close the roof in just 12 seconds. Other standard features include electric window lifts, a CD-radio, air conditioning with an integrated active carbon filter, an on-board computer and central locking. As an option the Boxster naturally comes with an aluminium hardtop complete with a hea-ted rear window and a newly designed wind deflector now comprising an even larger plexi-glass panel in the middle thanks to the higher rollbar. A range of new customisation features is also available, including a sports steering wheel and the multifunction steering wheel serving, for example, to operate optionally available "Porsche Communication Management" (PCM) complete with a 5.8-inch colour display, a navigation module, and a separate DVD player. A Roadster with Head Airbags The Boxster is the first open car to feature a new head airbag concealed within the side pa-nels on the doors. Together with the thorax airbags in the seat backrest, this ensures a very high standard of safety in collisions from the side. Frontal airbags for the driver and front passenger complete with a belt latch tensioner and a belt force limiter are naturally standard. The Boxster is also the leader in structural safety, its bodyshell complying with all international standards and requirements in terms of occupant and partner protection and coming with a redesigned rollbar. The so-called upper load path has been optimised in order to stiffen the passenger cell in a head-on or offset collision: The upper load path feeds forces acting on the body of the car in a collision very effectively from the front end via the doors to the rear. To ensure this effect, the doors are reinforced by an additional steel profile plate at the top and rest against an optimised side panel structure in the event of a collision. Last but not least, a support tube made of high-strength steel extending from the lower bulk-head crossbar to the A-pillar serves to further strengthen the passenger cell especially in an offset collision.
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While only carefully remodelled in its
contours, Porsche's mid-engined sports car is significantly wider on the
road. Larger wheels and a wider track accentuate the further enhanced design
of the body. At the same time these improvements symbolise the increase in
power, the 2.7-litre six-cylinder in the Boxster now developing maximum output
of 176 kW (240 bhp). The Boxster now accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds
and has a top speed of 256 km/h or 159 mph, but is more fuel-efficient all
the same, averaging 9.6 litres premium plus (29.4 mpg Imp) in the EU combined
cycle. And it almost goes with-out saying that the Boxster outperforms the
EU 4 and LEV II emission standards.
To enhance the Boxster's dynamic performance
to an even higher level, Porsche's engineers have fundamentally upgraded
the suspension setup: Wider track, new and larger wheels combined with 17-inch
tyres, weight reduction on the various components as well as enhanced torsional
and flexural stiffness give the Boxster even more sporting driving behaviour
and larger safety reserves, with driving comfort remaining unchanged. Apart
from the "basic" suspension, the Boxster is available as an option with Porsche
Active Suspension Management (PASM), in which case the entire car is lowered
by 10 millimetres or almost 0.4". Four dampers electrically adjustable for
hardness are consistently tuned to current requirements in an automatic process
depending on driving dynamics and road conditions. The driver himself is
able to choose from two suspension programs by pressing a button on the centre
console: The Normal mode offers a more comfortable setting automatically
becoming more dynamic as the driver chooses a more sporting style of motoring.
The Sports mode, on the other hand, activates a harder damper control map
for a particularly agile style of motoring.