Description
Published by Brooklands Books, ISBN: 9781855206953, A total of 192 pages all in full colour
The Boxster grew out of a concept car first shown at the 1993 Detroit Motor show and was introduced as a production model in 1996.
This portfolio traces its progress over its first eight years and covers all models including the RUF 3400S. Road and comparison tests are featured along with long term reports, an owner survey, an article on touring plus expert advice on acquiring a pre-owned Boxster.
Synopsis
When Porsche displayed its Boxster concept car at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show, many critics probably thought that was the last they would see or hear of that. But the response from potential Porsche buyers was such that the company's chiefs had to have another look at the situation. You see, Porsche was not in good shape financially and was really being kept in business by the new Typ 993 Porsche 911. The 968 and 928, worthy though they might have been, were way past their useful life and were soon to be dropped from the model range. A short three years later the company announced to the world the long awaited Boxster production model. In broad terms it remained fairly faithful to the concept car's shape although modifications were necessary to meet packaging and safety requirements that bulked it up a little. It still looked sensational, though. The Boxster was a pure sports car that did not rely on a humdrum family saloon for its mechanical components. It was also mid-engined driving the rear wheels; dynamically it was miles ahead of its main rivals, so much so that many observers said it really had no rivals! Staying true to Porsche tradition, the Boxster was powered by a smaller version of the flat six-cylinder engine that shared it design with the 911. Initially available as a 2.5-litre with 204 bhp, the media were quick to criticise because they felt as if it was not powerful enough. This despite the fact that its acceleration from 0-60 mph took around 7 seconds and it had a maximum speed of 140 mph! Needless to say, the factory were already thinking a long way ahead and in 1999 for the 2000 model year gave buyers the option of a 220 bhp 2.7-litre engine or a 252 bhp 3.2 in the Boxster S. The Boxster S in particular raised the bar as regards performance was concerned if we omit the rather specialised limited edition M and AMG sports cars. Acceleration was quick and it ran to a maximum speed of around 160 mph. But what really separated the Porsche Boxster in all its variants from the rest of the sports cars on the market was that it was a pure sports car. It inherited the DNA that was and is Porsche and, while it might have been slightly more expensive than its main rivals, it certainly retained its value and depreciated far less. Unusually the Boxster was never a part of Porsche's racing program even though its configuration made it an ideal platform—that part of the company's activities was the sole preserve of the 911. What is a fact is that the Porsche Boxster has been well and truly accepted by the motoring enthusiasts of the world and is now a valuable component in the company's ever-growing model range. There are road tests, performance details & comparison tests. All versions of the models covered 2.5 & 2.7 litre & 3.2 litre S plus the RUF 3400S.
Contents:
- Wraps Come Off 'Official' Boxster Autocar
- Porsche Boxster Motor Trend
- Knock Out! Autocar
- Porsche Boxster Tiptronic Automobile
- 1997 Porsche Boxster Road Test Road & Track
- Porsche Boxster Road Test Autocar
- Knock Out - SLK vs. Boxster Comparison Test What Car?
- Blue-Arsed Flying Wheels
- Sideways Glance Motor Sport
- Porsche Boxster Meets '55 550 Spyder Motor Trend
- Nose to Tail - BMW Z3 vs. Boxster Comparison Test Autocar
- Rivals! - BMW Z3 2.8 vs. Boxster Comparison Test Road & Track
- Porsche Boxster Tiptronic S Performance Car
- Porsche Boxster - Automobile of the Year Automobile
- Porsche Boxster vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata Comparison Test Motor Trend
- Porsche Boxster 4 Seasons Test Automobile
- Porsche Boxster Long Term Report Car and Driver
- Open and Shut Ace Long Term Report Autocar
- Porsche Boxster S Road Test Autocar
- Technical Knockout - S Top Gear
- S is More Automobile
- Why pay more for S? - 2.7 Car
- Basic Instinct - 2.7 Top Gear
- Porsche Boxster - 2.7 Road Test Autocar
- Chevrolet Corvette vs. Porsche Boxster S Comparison Test Road & Track
- Porsche Boxster S Road Test Car and Driver
- S & M - Boxster S vs. M Roadster Comparison Test Top Gear
- Porsche 911 vs. Boxster S Comparison Test Road & Track
- The Odd Couple - Boxster S vs. M3 Comparison Test What Car?
- Taking the High Road - S Touring Automobile
- Porsche's Big Easy - S Drive Report Autocar
- Boxing Clever - S Road Test Car South Africa
- RUF RGT & 3400S Road Test Road & Track Special
- RUF Boxster 3400S EVO
- S Express now even better Autocar
- Seconds out - Boxster vs. S2000 Comparison Test Autocar
- Porsche Boxster 1997-2001 Owner Survey Road & Track
- Porsche Boxster S Motor
- High Noon - Boxster vs. BMW Z4 Comparison Test Road & Track
- Clash of the Teutons - Boxster vs. Z4 Comparison Test What Car?
- Summer - SLK 350 vs. Boxster Comparison Test Car
- Porsche Boxster S Long Term Report EVO
- It's the Business Buyers' Guide 911 & Porsche World