Pole Position
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Boxster SIn its second generation, the Boxster S again sets a new standard:
Boxer Engine Developed to an Even Higher Standard This supreme performance is attributable in particular to the updated and modified 3.2-litre power unit. Operating in conjunction with optimised supply of fresh air and exhaust emission management, the modified intake system ensures extra power and pulling force at low and medium engine speeds. A new feature is the twin-chamber distributor pipe with its directly connected distributor butterfly for extra torque at low engine speeds, boosting torque substantially from just 1500 rpm. The advantage at higher speeds is obvious, considering the maximum torque of 320 Newtonmetres or 236 lb-ft between 4700 and 6000 rpm. To further optimise the flow of gas within the engine system, an exhaust manifold guides the exhaust emissions into modified, ultra-low-resistance silencers in new geometric design. The exhaust gas treatment system complete with advance and main catalytic converters, in turn, cleans exhaust emissions to a degree of purity better than the EU 4 and LEV II (USA) standards in their respective regions. Optimised Suspension for Even More Dynamic Performance Eighteen-inch wheels measuring 235/40 ZR 18 at the front and 265/40 ZR 18 at the rear, wider track and the precisely tuned suspension enhance the standard of driving pleasure in the Boxster S to an even higher level than before. Systematic reduction of weight through the use of new aluminium components on the chassis ensures an even higher standard of sporting performance and provides even greater safety reserves with motoring comfort remaining quite outstanding. This superiority comes in particular from an innovative generation of tyres able to convey much higher forces to the road. In combination with the wider track, the new tyres also help to reduce body sway to the side when driving to the extreme. The special handling of the Boxster S now comes out even better than before thanks to the new rack-and-pinion steering with its variable transmission ratio: When driving straight ahead, the car responds just as smoothly and forgivingly as before, even at very high speeds. And at the same time the new steering makes the Boxster S even more direct and agile under severe movements of the steering wheel, for example on a fast country road with successive bends and turns. A Unique Option: the Active Damper System
Brakes with Even More Powerful Boost The brake system featured on the Boxster S has been further optimised to reflect the increase in engine power: Power assistance has been increased by 18 per cent in the interrest of lower brake forces and an even faster brake response. The monobloc fixed-calliper brakes finished in red on the Boxster S and featuring four pistons on each wheel come with brake discs measuring 318 millimetres (12.52") in diameter at the front and 299 millimetres (11.77") in diameter at the rear. An Exclusive Option: Ceramic Brakes Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) available as an option on the Boxster S open up a new dimension of brake technology in the roadster segment. With ceramic brake discs measuring 350 millimetres or 13.78" in diameter on all four wheels and with composite brake linings, this highly advanced technology interacting with yellow-painted six-piston aluminium fixed callipers on the front wheels and four-piston aluminium fixed callipers on the rear wheels ensures a high and, in particular, consistent frictional coefficient. The result is very short stopping distances even from high speeds and under heavy loads. The Boxster S comes with the latest evolution of this absolutely rust-free brake system featuring further enhanced and even more robust brake discs. Exemplary Active and Passive Safety The wide range of active and passive safety features in the Boxster S comprises nearly all systems as standard. It also includes Porsche Stability Management (PSM) enhanced to an even higher level as well as rollbars, seat belts with belt latch tensioners, belt force limiters and six airbags. The head airbag hidden beneath the side sills on the doors is one of the most innovative and outstanding airbag systems in the world. Featured for the first time in an open car, the head airbag is activated together with the thorax airbag in a collision from the side, moving up instantaneously and inflating within milliseconds to form a kind of flat cushion. Sports Chrono Package The Sports Chrono Package featured for the first time as part of Porsche Stability Manage-ment (PSM) offers an optional sports mode allowing even greater wheel spin and enhanced lateral dynamics on the road. A further feature of the Sports Chrono Package is the very sporting setup of other systems within the car, including a steeper gas pedal control map and a "harder" speed governor cutting in more abruptly. The Sports Chrono program also allows the driver to check the dynamic benefits of this unique system down to the last hundredth of a second: The sign of distinction proudly borne out on the Sports Chrono Package is the activation button in the centre console as well as an analogue/digital stopwatch on the instrument panel controlled from the lever on the steering column and enabling the driver, as just one example, to time his laps on the race track with optimum precision. Sophisticated Ambience Apart from the modified instrument cluster with three circular instruments and instrument faces finished in light grey especially on the Boxster S, the newly designed centre console ensures a sophisticated, high-quality interior. Typical features on the Boxster S are the wider range of leather and aluminium-look fittings as well as the alarm system featured as standard. The lower seating position, the steering wheel now adjustable also for height, the pedals moved further to the front, as well as greater fore-and-aft adjustment of the seats are significant benefits particularly for the tall driver. The newly designed seats offer more space and better side support. In all, the Boxster S is available with no less than four different types of seats: Apart from the standard seats with Alcantara on the centrepiece, there are also the electrically adjustable seats complete with lumbar support, the leather sports seats with enhanced side support, and the new, adaptive sports seats with individually adjustable side ele-ments on both the bottom and the backrest.
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Unladen weight of 1345 kg or 2966 lb,
together with maximum output of 206 kW (280 bhp), provides a power-to-weight
ratio of 4.80 kg/bhp making Porsche's mid-engined roadster the No 1 performer
in this discipline quite elementary to a sports car. This outstanding figure
clearly proves the agility of the Boxster S in responding to the driver's
commands. Taking the usual figures for acceleration and flexibility, this
means acceleration to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds continuing just as impressively
at a higher speed range, with the Boxster S accelerating from 100 to 200
km/h in fifth gear in just 19.4 seconds.
A genuine innovation in the sports roadster
segment is Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) available as an option.
The basic principle of this suspension lowered by 10 millimetres or 0.4"
is the continuous, automatic adjustment of the four dampers reset electrically
as a function of driving dynamics and the road surface. Pressing a button
on the centre console, the driver is able to choose from two suspension
programmes offered by PASM: The Normal mode offers a more comfortable basic
setting changing automatically to an increasingly sporting mode the more
dynamically the driver moves his car. The big advantage for the driver and
his passenger particularly on long motorway trips is a significant improvement
of driving comfort. The Sports mode, in turn, activates a harder damper control
map for a much more agile style of motoring. When subject to extreme bumps
and very unsmooth road surfaces, the system switches over to the more
comfort-oriented setting. This not only makes the ride smoother for the driver,
but also pre-vents the wheels from "jumping" on the road surface and thus
serves to further enhance the car's high level of active safety.