Here's The New Boxster, Same As The Old Boxster

The Boxster's been around for 15 years now.  It's funny that it still feels new, but I suppose a Porsche with the engine in the right place is still a fresh concept - relatively speaking.  Porsche unveiled the third generation of the mid-engined sportscar today ahead of it's debut at Geneva, and in typical Porsche fashion they've made everything slightly better.

While the new Boxster looks similar to the old one - why mess with a good recipe? - the chassis is all new.  Like the 991, the new Boxster has a longer wheelbase, wider track width, and shorter overhangs.  The biggest change is a switch to an aluminum body - so even though it's larger than the outgoing model, it's lighter as well.  The aim was to make it handle better, go faster, and be more efficient - considering the high standards the current model sets, that's no easy task.

Like before, it will be available in Boxster and Boxster S models.  While the previous base model was a 2.9L, the new one goes back to a 2.7L with the addition of direct injection, making ten more horsepower (265) than the old one.  The S still has a 3.4L flat six, now with 315bhp (up 5 horsepower).  Both come standard with a 6-speed manual, and a 7-speed PDK twin-clutch is an option.  The Boxster will acheive 30.6 combined MPG, and the S is hardly worse at 29.4 - quite good for sports cars.

With the PDK, the Boxster will do 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, or 4.7 for the Boxster S.  Like other Porsches, a Sport Chrono package will be available with some high-tech goodies: dynamic transmissions mounts (first seen in the GT3) and a torque-vectoring diff are both mentioned in the press release, and there's probably more to it than that.

The new Boxster will surely be a corner-carver, but the changed dimensions mean it'll be more liveable: track width and wheelbase are basically what define the space of the cabin.  The convertible top is now fully electric (as is the power steering, worryingly) and no longer has the hard tonneau cover.  Like the rest of the lineup, the Boxster is also switching from the old vertical style dashboard to a slanted one like the Carrera GT's.

Styling-wise, the Boxster is instantly recognizable, even if it's all new.  The biggest eye-catcher for me are the gigantic air intakes on the side.  The treatment of the tail lights is really neat: the integrated spoiler stretches out through them, fading out as it reaches the edge of the car, giving them some texture.  Of course, there are LED running lights and the Boxster's characteristic "butt" is still there.  It's great looking right off the bat - one wonders why they couldn't have made the Panamera look this good!

The new Boxster will debut at the Geneva show in March, with European sales this spring and US sales this summer.  The Boxster will be priced from $49,500 and the S from $60,900 plus $950 destination when it arrives.