Porsche recently unveiled the 718 Boxster at the Geneva Motor Show. The new version of the roadster is more efficient yet more powerful than the 981 variant that it replaces.
From the beginning, the Boxster has featured a mid-mounted flat-six power plant. However, the new 718 is the first Boxster to use a flat-four engine. The reason for the change is largely due to stricter government fuel economy regulations, although there is a performance and tuneability gain.
But just how have we come to the 718?
Porsche 986 Boxster
For the Porsche Boxster, the 986 is Genesis. The Boxster was first sold in the United States for the 1997 model year. The early car was powered by a 2.5-liter water-cooled flat-six, known internally at Porsche as the M96 engine. The earliest cars offer just 201 horsepower, but that is plenty for a spirited canyon run. The 0-60 mph time was quoted as 6.7 seconds by Porsche, but many magazines of the era managed times around 6 seconds flat.
The early styling resembled the 996 variant of the 911 at the front. The hood, fenders, interior and "fried eggs" headlights are nearly identical between the early Boxster and early 996. The 986 roadster originally featured a convertible top with a plastic rear window.
In 2000, the 986 engine displacement grew to 2.7 liters, and the output increased to 217 horsepower. This helped reduced the quoted 0-60 mph time down to 6.5 seconds.
Porsche 986 Boxster S
Even bigger news was the addition of the S model. While at first glance it looked just like the standard Boxster, it got a new front fascia with an additional center air opening and a rear bumper with diffuser. The single, large-diameter exhaust pipe was replaced by center dual exhaust pipes. The big story was the 3.2-liter flat-six found in the middle of the car. The larger displacement power plant offered 250 horsepower and reduced the Boxster's 0-60 mph time down to 5.6 seconds.
Some additional changes came along for the 2003 model year. The biggest was the change to use a smaller, glass rear window instead of the plastic piece used in the earliest cars. The front headlights' bottom amber indicators were replaced by clear units. The bumpers were also given more chiseled styling.
Inside, the car finally got a small glove compartment, an updated steering wheel and a new electro-mechanical hood and trunk release mechanism. The Boxster also received a reworked exhaust pipe and air intake.
Porsche 987 Boxster
The second-generation 987 variant was first available for the 2005 model year. The Boxster saw a number of slight styling changes. The most noticeable being the new headlight design with a shape that is reminiscent of those found on the Carrera GT supercar and the larger air intakes just behind the doors. The wheel arches were also reworked to accommodate the newly available 19-inch wheels.
The base engine remained at 2.7 liters when the 987 made its debut. The output had improved to 240 horsepower. This brought the quoted 0-60 mph time down to 6.2 seconds, and the top speed of the base model had now risen to 159 mph.
Porsche 987 Boxster S
The S model of the early 987 remained at 3.2 liters, but the power increased to 280 horsepower. The bump in output reduced its 0-60 mph time to 5.5 seconds and increased the top speed to 167 mph.
A major change occurred to the S model for model year 2007. While the base model kept its 2.7-liter displacement, the 987 S received a 3.4-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six engine. The base model had a slight power bump of five horses, and the new engine in the S increased the power by 15 horsepower to 295. This added power helped reduce the 0-60 mph time by a tenth of a second.
For model year 2009, the 987.2 was introduced. The Boxster received a facelift, but the biggest changes were under the skin. Replacing the Tiptronic transmission for automatic cars, the 987 could now be purchased with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual-clutch gearbox. While the six-speed manual was still standard, the PDK offered quicker acceleration thanks to its ability to shift faster than humanly possible.
The standard Boxster motor grow in displacement to 2.9 liters and now offered 255 horsepower. The added power when combined with the PDK transmission dropped the 0-60 mph time to 5.6 seconds.
The 3.4-liter flat-six in the Boxster S had a big change in the form of Direct Fuel Injection (DFI). The change helped bump power by another 15 horsepower to 310 horses. When combined with the PDK transmission the roadster was now capable of getting to 60 mph from a standing stop in just 5 seconds flat.
Styling changes for the 2009 model year included new headlights and taillights, and larger air intakes on the front fascia that incorporated daytime running lights. The rear end was reworked and incorporated flanked twin diffusers. Inside, the 987 offered an optional redesigned Porsche Communication Management System with a touchscreen interface.
Porsche 987 Boxster Spyder
For the 2011 model year, the 987 Porsche Boxster Spyder wowed the press and public alike. It was all about a lighter car with a slight power bump, with weight reduction such as removing the air conditioner and stereo as well as the binnacle over the instrument gauges. Even the door handles were replaced with fabric straps.
The convertible top motor was removed, and the entire unit was replaced with two pieces of fabric that sort of kept the weather outside. The bikini-style top reduced weight greatly, but also made it much more difficult to put the top on should the weather change quickly. The result of all these weight savings was a car that weighed just 2,811 pounds, which was 176 pounds lighter than the standard Boxster.
The aluminum rear power domes (aka humps, or "streamliners" in contemporary Porsche speak) helped giver the Spyder a more purposeful look. Inside featured carbon-fiber sports bucket seats.
The suspension was firmed up, which resulted in a ride that is almost a full inch lower than the standard 987. Lightweight 19-inch wheels helped finish the ride.
The 3.4-liter engine in the 987 Spyder received a slight power bump to 320 horsepower. It managed to sprint from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. All of the small changes and the small increase in power added up to an incredible machine that wowed the automotive press. It was a fitting swan song for the wonderful 987.
Porsche 981 Boxster
In the summer of 2012, the third-generation Boxster hit showrooms. The 981 sold as a 2013 model, and it featured a noticeable redesign. Some critics of past Boxsters had commented that the sports car had feminine lines. Porsche made an effort to revamp the styling to include more masculine, or aggressive, athletic lines.
The most noticeable design changes were the pronounced air intakes that looked like they were inspired by the Carrera GT. The front fascia had large intakes and integrated splitter. The 981 still retained the overall shape of the original Boxster but with crisper lines.
The 981 increased torsional rigidity in the chassis by 40 percent when compared to the outgoing 987. The front track increased by 40 millimeters, the rear end grew to be 18 mm wider and the wheelbase extended by 60 mm. Even with the wider dimensions a small weight reduction was managed of up to 77 pounds, depending on options, when compared to the previous type 987 Boxster.
The 981 received new performance technical options, such as the wizardry that is Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) and the Sports Chrono Package.
The base Boxster returned to a 2.7-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine that offered 265 horsepower. The new power unit when combined with PDK and the Sports Chrono Package allowed the Boxster to run from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds.
The 981 variant 3.4-liter engine bumped power up to 315 horsepower. Thanks to the addition of the Sports Chrono Package when added to the PDK transmission, the 0-60 mph bolt could be done in just 4.5 seconds.
Porsche 981 Boxster GTS
For the third generation, the Boxster finally received the GTS treatment for the 2015 model year. The Boxster GTS gave you a reworked front fascia and rear bumper as well as smoked head and taillights. Inside featured Alcantara trim and seat inserts as well as a power bump of 15 horsepower.
Porsche 981 Boxster Spyder
The Porsche Boxster Spyder returned for the 981, but this time it packed an even more potent punch. At the heart of the Boxster Spyder was a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated flat-six power plant sourced from the 911 Carrera S. The unit was made 375 horsepower, down from the 400 horses found in the Carrera S. The engine was only available mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Even though the power was down slightly (when compared to the 911 Carrera S), the Spyder features a decent amount of weight reduction. In the spirit of low weight, the motor that powers the top on the standard Boxster and Boxster S was replaced with a unit that could be put up by hand.
The 981 Spyder replaced the difficult bikini-style top in the 987 Spyder with a top that could much more easily be opened or closed. Further weight reduction was achieved by the use of aluminum doors and the removal of the air conditioning and stereo (both of which could be added back for no additional charge).
The exterior style retained the rear streamliners from the 987 Spyder that help give the 981 version a more exotic appearance. Inside, you find Sports Seats Plus that help keep one firmly in place when taking a corner quickly. Alcantara trim helps give the car an even more upscale feel.
The front fascia and rear end are the same as the aggressive parts found on the Cayman GT4. The rear end is finished with the duck-tail-style spoiler.
Thanks to the lighter weight and more powerful engine, the Spyder could rocket from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. It was simply the ultimate Boxster.
Porsche 718 Boxster
We finally get to the 718 Boxster. The 718 is a real departure from all past Boxsters. Of course, all the media attention has focused on the change to a turbocharged flat-four powerplant, but there is a more important change when it comes to the image of the Boxster.
From the beginning, the Boxster has always been Porsche's entry-level vehicle, but that has changed with the 718. The 718 Boxster will now sit above the 718 Cayman in the model lineup with regard to price.
In the past, Boxsters have always had less power than Caymans, but they will now get the same power outputs. Of course, being above the Cayman also means the 718 Boxster will cost a bit more than its coupe sibling.
With the 718, Porsche has brought back the nameplate of the successful race car that replaced the 550 Spyder. True to the original car, a mid-mounted flat-four sits in the new 718 Boxster.
Of course, being a modern car, a turbocharger helps squeeze a bit more out of the motor. The base 718 Boxster uses a 2.0-liter flat-four that, thanks to the forced induction, puts out 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, which is available from 1,950 rpm to 4,500 rpm. This extra power helps the 718 launch from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds when optioned with the PDK transmission and the Sports Chrono Package.
Porsche 718 Boxster S
The S model uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four. While it has lost two cylinders and added a turbo, the 718 Boxster S now has the same displacement as the early 986. The power is up about 150 horsepower over the early car, bringing the S up to 350 horsepower and 309 lb.-ft. between 1,950 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This drops the 0-60 mph time down to 4 seconds flat when the roadster is equipped with PDK and the Sports Chrono Package. The top speed is now 177 mph.
Not that long ago, these numbers would have been only seen in a 911.
Styling changes for the 718 include badging that denotes the 718 Boxster, the first time the mid-engine sports car has had a Type number displayed on the read end. The front fascia has been reworked, and the side air intakes are more pronounced with integrated fins. The rear end changes are the most noticeable, especially the strip between the taillights that features Porsche lettering prominently.
The interior remains largely familiar to that found in the 981. One more noticeable change is on the steering wheel. It now features a driving mode selector similar to what you find on the 918 Spyder. The 718 Boxster also features a white-faced center tachometer and, of course, with the addition of the turbocharger you can monitor boost on the dash.
The 718 also features the Porsche Communications Management system that now includes a reworked navigation system with voice support, a 110-watt sound system and the option to add Connect Plus. The option allows for additional online content and services.
With the use of a smaller engine with fewer cylinders and a single turbocharger, the 718 is more efficient than the outgoing model yet offers more power. One thing purists will miss is the wonderful sound of that naturally aspirated flat-six, but the turbo flat-four still has a good sound — especially if you like the sound of the wastegate when revving it.
Conclusion
The Boxster has come a long way since the early 986 variant. The open-aired car was the entry-level car in the model lineup, but the 718 Boxster and Boxster S have now jumped over Cayman and Cayman S models (which also receive the 718 prefix). It once was held back from a good amount on power, but has grown into a much more potent machine.
Where the Boxster has always been strong is on a curvy road, and that is still the same today. So, for those of you driving any generation of the Boxster, spring is on its way, and the time to open the top and enjoy a back road is now. You won't be able to wipe the smile off your face as you carve bend after bend on a hillside.
