Revised for 2003 with Porsche's VarioCam technology
and a new engine management system, the standard Boxster's
2.7-liter engine puts out 225 horsepower at 6300 rpm and
192 foot-pounds of torque at 4750 rpm. The Boxster can accelerate
from 0 to 60 mph in only 6.0 seconds, an improvement of
0.2
seconds over the 2002 model. Top speed is estimated to 155
mph in the Boxster. Porsche Boxster S gets a bored out version
of the same engine, a 3.2-liter that serves up 258 horsepower
at 6250 rpm and 229 foot-pounds at 4500 rpm. The added power
reduces 0 to 60 mph acceleration times to 5.3 seconds.
At a glance, the Boxster engine is classic Porsche with
roots that date to Ferdinand Porsche's early work in the
1930s. The horizontally opposed six-cylinder "boxer"
layout offers packaging advantages because the pistons lie
flat, which helps keep the center of gravity low. But the
Boxster engine represents the state of Porsche art with
twin overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, variable cam
timing, and liquid cooling.
The Porsche Boxster comes standard with a wonderful
5-speed manual gearbox, while the Boxster S comes with a
similarly wonderful 6-speed manual. Porsche's 5-speed Tiptronic
S automatic ($3,210) is available for both models. The Tiptronic
offers its operator the choice of full automatic operation
or fingertip push-button self-shifting. It's the best compromise
between stick and automatic on the market and works extremely
well, but it's also the most expensive. A manual gearbox
provides better performance and efficiency and seems more
fitting for the Porsche Boxster. We prefer it.
Porsche brakes are legendary and braking in the Boxster
is superb. Oversize vented discs are used on all four wheels
plus Porsche's excellent antilock system. Porsche Stability
Management ($1,235), or PSM, is a recommended option as
this anti-skid system can correct skids can help you stay
on the road in an emergency handling maneuver. The
Boxster generates impressive grip in the wet, whether braking
or cornering. PSM helps greatly in slippery conditions,
making it more difficult to make a mistake in this car.
You can apply the throttle aggressively in a slippery turn
and the stability system will prevent a spin.
As much as we like the standard Boxster, the Boxster
S has more power and the engine revs more freely. Both engines
sound wonderful at high rpm, generating a classic Porsche
sound similar to that of the
911 and Porsche race cars. The Porsche Boxster S develops 85
percent of its peak torque at just 2000 rpm,
providing outstanding throttle response.
But the real fun lies in the Boxster's precise response
to driver commands. Mid-engine balance, an excellent chassis,
and firm suspension tuning add up to a level of agility
and stability that seems a cut above the Boxster's key competitors.
No wrestling is required to guide this roadster down to
the apex of a fast turn. It seems to anticipate the driver's
intentions without a hint of hesitation or uncertainty.
The ride quality is firm, but that adds to its appeal. The
Boxster gets the same shock absorbers as the Porsche Boxster
S, and the standard 16-inch wheels can be upgraded to lightweight
17- or 18-inch wheels.
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So, Boxster or Boxster S? It's a much tougher call than
it was before the base model was improved and comes down
to personal preference. Enthusiasts who appreciate taut
handling and quick acceleration performance and drivers
who like ripping down mountain roads or autocrossing appreciate
the higher state of tune of the Porsche Boxster S. Others
are quite satisfied with the standard Boxster. While spending
a week in Southern California with a Boxster, we never felt
a longing for a Boxster S, we never felt that something
was missing. If you're unsure, our recommendation is for
the standard Boxster. Those who need the performance of
the Boxster S, and you know who you are, will feel it's
money well spent. Others will prefer to bank the cost difference
or spend it on options that enhance the standard model.
