Porsche Boxster 2.7 Review

Date: 01.11.2012

Porsche Boxster 2.7 front

Porsche Boxster 2.7 rear view

Porsche Boxster 2.7 interior

Porsche Boxster 2.7 front

Porsche Boxster 2.7 rear view

Porsche Boxster 2.7 interior

New boxster toy poses some tough questions for the would-be Porsche buyer

Porsche Boxster 2.7

2012 Porsche Boxster 2.7

A new 991-series 911 coupe for $229,900, or a new 981-series Boxster and a new Cayenne Diesel to lug the family around, all for $13K less?

That's the tough question that some buyers will undoubtedly be asking following the release of the first major makeover of Porsche's highly successful Boxster roadster in more than 15 years.

Back in early 1997 when the first examples reached Australia, the question would have failed. Good as the first 2.5-litre Boxster's chassis was - and still is - the car itself was relatively underwhelming by Porsche standards.

Today, however, the 911 price comparison is realistic. While Porsche Cars Australia MD, Michael Winkler, believes that 911 buyers are born, not swayed, baby-brother Boxster has grown up and now matches its sibling in important areas such as refinement, build quality, equipment and interior design.

In its latest 981-series iteration, the Boxster is also a more serious challenger in virtually all dynamic areas. Reflecting the major changes that swept through the 911 range only a few months ago, Porsche's drop-top two-seater has a completely new, lightweight body and a completely revamped, 40-percent-stiffer chassis. The diet, combined with a longer wheelbase, wider track, larger wheels and new electro-mechanical power steering, raise the mid-engined roadster's already class-leading dynamics to an even higher level.

It is unquestionably a fine looking car, and with its steeply raked windscreen, sharper front and rear mudguards, and heavily scalloped, Carrera GT-like flanks, the new Boxster looks more masculine than its more finely featured predecessors.

The folding cloth roof can be lowered in nine seconds, even at 50km/h, and is so aerodynamic and thermally sound that a removable hardtop is no longer offered.

The Boxster's 2.7-litre flat six has lost capacity (it was a 2.9), but is 7kW stronger at 195kW, while the 3.4-litre Boxster S now delivers 232kW (up 4kW). Both models achieve their best performance and economy with the optional seven-speed PDK dual-clutch 'box. The Boxster with PDK sips 7.7L/100km, the Boxster S just 8.0L/100km, and yet the Boxster PDK will sprint from zero to 100km/h in 5.7sec, seven tenths slower than the Boxster S.

On the road, the difference is less discernable and after swapping cars on one section of the launch drive program north of Brisbane, I was convinced we were in a Boxster, whereas in fact it was an S.

Our advice is to stay clear of Porsche's lengthy options list, choose the entry-level Boxster 2.7 with either transmission ($107,500 with six-speed manual, $112,800 with seven-speed PDK) and enlarge your garage with the money you've saved.

SPECIFICATIONS

Porsche boxster 2.7

Engine: 2706cc flat 6, DOHC, 24v

Power: 195kW @ 6700rpm

Torque: 280Nm @ 4500-6500rpm

Weight: 1310kg

Gearbox: 6-speed manual

O-100km/h: 5.8sec (claimed)

Top speed: 264km/h (claimed)

Price: $107,500

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