2013 Porsche Boxster and Boxster S: The Picture of Perfection

When a car appeals more to your heart than to your mind, it can be very hard to see its faults. You may even find yourself forgiving the vehicle for its price, which all too often falls into the “exorbitant” category. The Porsche Boxster is definitely one of these cars, despite being the most affordable of Porsche’s dream machines. Admittedly, it does have a few flaws (such as its complete lack of practicality), but once you slide behind its wheel, lower the roof and hear its engine purr, your ability to think rationally quickly slips away.

The Boxster was first introduced in 1996, with the second generation coming nearly 10 years later in 2005. It seems that Porsche has mastered the art of conservatism. The German manufacturer prefers evolutions but, in its defense, it has rarely failed or even taken a step in the wrong direction. Wisdom guides the brand’s actions, though Porsche did cause a stir among purists when it launched the Cayenne SUV, but this risk was an economic necessity for the company.

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Aka the 981

Now, eight years later, the Stuttgart-based automaker is offering up the third generation of the Boxster (aka the 981), a model that has evolved beautifully once again. Variants are expected to be released in the future as a means of sustaining interest, something Porsche does very well.

The Boxster’s style continues to reflect its heritage. With near-perfect proportions, this vehicle is compact, light and – especially – athletic. You’ll have to pay close attention to find all the subtle changes made to it. The overall effect is more aggressive, muscular and exotic, thanks in part to its larger front and rear fenders, as well as the shorter windshield now placed closer to the front. The front headlamps were inspired by those on the Porsche 918, the next supercar from Porsche. The taillights have also been updated. Again, it features a retractable spoiler (manual or automatic) as well as a mid-position dual exhaust. But the choice of wheels is definitely the aspect most worthy of your attention.

The new Boxster is slightly bigger in all directions: length, width and wheelbase. It’s also lower, which enhances its dynamic appearance while lowering its centre of gravity. German manufacturers pay careful attention to the details, which often makes all the difference. More widespread use of aluminum and other lightweight materials has allowed the Boxster to shed 55 lbs. (25 kg) and its high-performance variant, the Boxster S, 77 lbs. (35 kg).

Interior inspired by the Panamera

Once you slide aboard (which often involves a graceless display due to the vehicle’s low position), you feel like you’re driving a genuine speed machine. As the steering wheel falls comfortably into your hands, you’ll notice that the vehicle’s beefed-up fenders sneak into your peripheral vision, a unique Porsche style feature.

While in the past each Porsche model had its own particularities, many are now starting to share characteristics. This new trend is evident inside the Boxster, where many design elements are inspired by the Panamera, including the way the shift lever is integrated and the layout of the controls on the narrow centre console. This combines for a more sophisticated interior. Porsche’s strengths are the quality of its materials and attention to detail. The seats, borrowed from the 911, offer excellent support and comfort, as long as you’re not on the hefty side.

Not for families

The Boxster is not terribly practical and can only accommodate two passengers. The two trunks (one in front and the other in back) are nonetheless quite practical, especially since the one in front is very deep. We even managed to fit hockey equipment into it. But inside the cabin, there’s a dire shortage of storage space for your phone, glasses and other small items. It’s so bad that you often end up tossing your things onto the passenger seat. The competition does better in this regard.

It goes without saying that many features and gadgets have been left in the options catalogue and are only available at a high price. Isn’t in weird how a $20,000 Kia comes with all the latest gadgets, but a $70,000 Porsche doesn’t?

The Boxster may not be the best car for families, but it definitely shines when it comes to driving pleasure. This success is primarily due to its mid-engine, near-perfect weight distribution, compact size and light weight. There have been no major changes to its engines. The base version still comes with a flat-six engine, though its displacement has been reduced from 2.9 litres to 2.7. Reducing the restriction of the exhaust results in an extra 10 horsepower, bringing the total to 265 hp. Fuel economy is better by 12%, while the 0-100 km/h sprint is now faster.  What more could you ask for? On the road, the base version is nothing to scoff at; when paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, we found it extremely docile, in a very good way.

The sportier Boxster S now comes with a 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine that generates 315 horsepower and 266 lbs.-ft. of torque. Admittedly, this doesn’t come close to the 400-500 horses that other speedsters offer, but when you consider how small and light this vehicle is, the weight-to-power ratio makes this car a total fireball. Our test model came with a dual-clutch PDK transmission, which is a feat of engineering that offers the best of all worlds. It performs extraordinarily, shifting gears extremely fast, better than what a driver could do.

It’s true that the Boxster S accelerates with more energy, but what really caught our attention is the sound of its engine: Press the accelerator and it roars like a Formula 1 car. The über-rigid chassis is connected to a suspension that effectively minimizes weight transfer and ensures excellent stability. What’s more, the fact that the engine sits in the middle of the vehicle lowers its centre of gravity and thereby enhances its stability. In fact, this is the Boxster’s secret: its stability.

True to its roots, the Boxster is an authentic sports car, and this new generation comes with a host of features that make it more attractive than ever.