Porsche Boxster S Black Edition: Slightly more exclusive fun

When a model’s sales start to wane, many automakers unveil exclusive versions in order to tide their clients over until the new generation is ready. Now that’s how you keep buyers interested! Ford uses this strategy with its Mustang, and Porsche is no different. After offering the fabulous Spyder last year, the German manufacturer is proposing the Boxster S Black Edition in limited quantity this year. It becomes the priciest Boxster in the catalogue.

More pep

Only 987 – a symbolic reference to the Boxster’s code name – units are available, and the Black Edition sets itself apart mainly by its monochromatic theme. It features a plethora of elements painted black, such as a twin exhaust in back, lateral air intakes and 19-inch rims borrowed from the Boxster Spyder. The same goes for the SportDesign steering wheel and the black accents here and there. Although the resulting style is rather austere, overall, the look is very nice.

In addition to the wheels, other features have also been borrowed from the Boxster Spyder. The same mechanical changes have been made, giving it 10 more horsepower compared to the regular Boxster S. The car stands out not only in terms of external appearance, but also in terms of performance. It shaves a little more than a second off its 0-100 km/hr time compared to the base version. That’s one second more attractive.

The Porsche Boxster: Always fun

For many, the Boxster is an entry-level model. In fact, it lets you discover and experience, at a reduced rate, the pleasures of the manufacturer’s legendary sports cars. Its design emphasizes a fun ride over performance, as evidenced by the fact that it’s only offered in a cabriolet version. Although entry-level models from some automakers don’t have anything particularly interesting, the Boxster is anything but a low quality Porsche. It’s magnificently complete and delivers more than reasonable performance for the price...So much so, in fact, that for purists, the Cayman coupe is considered the German manufacturer’s entry-level sports car.

The Boxster is rubbing elbows with cars like the BMW Z4, the Mercedes-Benz SLK and the Audi TT, although the TT stands out because of its much lower base price. As for the Boxster, it distinguishes itself with its central engine, the only model to offer this configuration.

This little Porsche comes standard with a 2.9-litre 255-hp six-cylinder. That may seem relatively small for a sports car, but when you consider the car’s weight, you’ll see that the performance leaves nothing to be desired. The Boxster S, with its 3.4-litre 310-hp V6, transforms this little cabriolet into a missile capable of going from 0-100 km/hr in under five seconds. When equipped with the PDK sequential gearbox and Sport Plus Package, 0-100 km/hr takes a mere 4.6 seconds.

High-tech, high-performance

Despite the opinion of many that the Boxster is an entry-level model, Porsche hasn’t neglected technology. Just like the 911, it has very advanced components, including several that maximize the car’s performances. It’s possible, for example, to opt for Porsche Active Suspension Management, which helps manually or automatically adjust the clearance and suspension control. Also, with the simple touch of a finger, you can make it even sportier, thanks to a mode that reduces clearance and facilitates dynamic driving. But even in “normal” mode, the management system will be able, according to the way you’re driving, to judge the type of suspension required and harden the shocks accordingly when needed. If that’s not enough for you, you should know that you can opt for the Sport Chrono Plus Package. This veritable on-board engineer features different technical engine data and intervenes in various areas, such as engine speed. This system is so efficient that it’s hard to use it off a track because the car handles so much like a race car. Of course, all of these options will make the price climb.

As for the rest, the Boxster is easy to drive. It’s very comfortable in normal driving conditions, and performs at a very high level when pushed a little more. Press down on the accelerator, the six cylinders roar and the car comes to life. Suspensions that efficiently minimize weight transfers and guarantee excellent stability are attached to the hyper-rigid chassis. What’s more, the central engine configuration helps lower centre of gravity, thus improving overall balance.

The Boxster may seem very expensive at first glance, but when you compare its price and performances to what its siblings – the 911s – are offering, you’ll realize that it’s a true beast.