Tag: Boxster

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Porsche

Porsche Boxster/Cayman – 2013 World Performance Car of the Year

981 Porsche Cayman

We think the 981 Porsche Boxster and Cayman are pretty ace, even though we’re yet to drive either. But it turns out we’re not the only ones who reckon the Coxster rocks, as both cars have been awarded the 2013 World Performance Car crown.

An initial field of 20 cars was shortlisted to three and the Porsches came out ahead of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and the Toybaru.

The World Car judges have put their names to this rather quaint statement: “The Job One for this new generation of Porsche’s littler two-doors was actually two-fold. The Boxster needed to be seen as less of a fancy secretary’s car and the Cayman needed to be set loose to be an even better Porsche sports car than the iconic 911. In both instances, mission over-accomplished. Both cars are now allowed out of their company cages and they drive as if they’re celebrating.”

Porsche has also used this news to remind us the 911 Carrera 4 has been awarded the Best All-Wheel Drive Car by readers of German mag Auto Bild.

You can read the official word from Stuttgart after the break.

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Porsche

VIDEO: Boxster S v 911 Carrera

Porsche Boxster S v 911 Carrera

The latest incarnation of the Boxster, the 981, is supposed to be very, very good. Similarly, the new 991 911 is also slowly winning over its critics, still pining at the loss of the remarkable 997 model that preceded it. But which is better, and should such a comparison even be considered?

Well, we don’t have to worry about working out the answer to that question because Jethro Bovingdon has already overseen a 981 v 991 grudge match, on behalf of Car and Driver magazine.

It’s Boxster S, with PASM and PTV, against a vanilla 991 Carrera. In Australian terms the price difference is substantial; you’re looking at around $150K for the Boxster and $250K for entry-level 911.

So, let’s find out where the smart money goes…

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Motor Shows Porsche

Geneva 2012: Porsche Boxster

2012 Porsche Boxster

Back in January Porsche revealed the first official photos and information on its all-new Boxster. However, Porsche had always planned to wait until the Geneva Motor Show for the roadster to make its public debut.

There’s no new press material, so we’ve repeated the text from January for you after the break. There are a few new press photos and also a short video from the launch in Geneva.

Bernhard Maier, Sales and Marketing board member sums it up best: “Driving experience, on a winding road, on a Sunday morning. The sun is shining. Good music, the best music is coming from the Boxster itself, the motor. That seems to be one of the perfect days in my life.”

One final thing, imagine how much better the Boxster will look when it’s not in gold or brown paint!

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Porsche

2012 Porsche Boxster revealed

2012 Porsche Boxster

Today Porsche has revealed details for its new Porsche Boxster. They say its the most comprehensive generation change yet for the Boxtser. That’s not that hard given this is just the third-generation.

That aside, Porsche should be congratulated for lowering the weight across the board for the new 981 model. Even if they’re a bit shy about putting a number to that weight loss. As we’ve previously reported, though, it’s around 15kg.

Other changes include a longer wheelbase, wider track and shorter overhangs. That’s right, this Boxster should be even more precise than the old 987 model.

Following the proven path the Boxster is available in two models, a 2.7 litre flat six with 195kW, and the S model, featuring a 3.4 litre flat six with 232kW. If you get the optional 7-speed PDK transmission you’ll reach 100km/h in 5.7 seconds in the entry level Boxster, while the S will do it in 5.0 seconds.

Sounds good, hey. Bet it drives like an absolute charm too. There’s more pics and a couple of videos after the break. If you still want more Boxster, then head on over to the dedicated microsite at the Porsche website.

UPDATE 13 January: Porsche Cars Australia say: “The new Boxster generation goes on sale in Europe in mid April, with sales in Australia beginning a few months later. Local pricing will be announced close to then.”

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Porsche

Porsche Boxster S Black Edition

Porsche Boxster S Black Edition

Porsche has discovered once you go black, you can’t go back. Hot on the heels of announcing the 911 Black Edition comes news of the Boxster S Black Edition. This time, though, there is a modest power increase for the Boxster S Black, to go along with the expected black styling adornments.

The Boxster S Black Edition produces 320hp from its 3.4 litre flat six. That’s 10hp more than a Boxster S and the same as a Boxster Spyder. That means you can despatch 100km/h in a reasonably brisk 5.2 seconds and, if you try really hard, you can return an average fuel consumption figure of 9.8l/100km. If you opt for the slick-shift PDK box you can drop 0.1 seconds and 0.4l/100km off those numbers.

Also thrown in for good measure are Sat Nav, plus the “Comfort”, “Infotainment” and “Design” equipment packages. The Boxster S Black Edition will be limited to 987 cars.

More pics and detail after the break.

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Porsche

Porsche Boxster prototype spied at fuel station

Porsche Boxster prototype

This new Porsche Boxster test mule was recently spotted by a member of the public at a fuel station in Germany. It offers a good look at the overall shape of the next model Boxster even though finer details have been covered up.

The current Boxster range has been signed with the Spyder which is fast becoming acknowledged as a modern classic. The new range will build on that legacy with a stiffer chassis to improve handling and more efficient engines to satisfy European regulations.

We should see the new Boxster some time in 2011.

[Source: Bild]

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Porsche

Quick review of the quick Porsche Boxster Spyder

Porsche Boxster Spyder Here’s another video review of the Porsche Boxster Spyder. It’s a 90-second effort with thanks to Autocar. It’s no surprise that the result is quite promising. It’s also no surprise the manual roof cops some criticism. Check out the clip below.

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Fifth Gear Porsche

VBH reviews Porsche Boxster Spyder

Porsche Boxster Spyder

Vicki-Butler Henderson has got her hands on the Porsche Boxster Spyder for the benefit of her Fifth Gear Web TV audience. Even better she took it to the track and gave a jolly good spanking. She reckons the car has a fantastic chassis, but is it worth the extra cash over the regular Boxster S?

Check out the video after the jump to find out.

[Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

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Porsche

Porsche Boxster Spyder image gallery

Porsche Boxster Spyder

The Porsche Boxster Spyder is a car well worth waiting for. Start with a razor sharp Boxster S, give the 3.4 litre flat six a bit of a nudge to 235kW, knock 80kg off its weight, bringing it down to 1275kg, and you can see why the Spyder is worth the wait. The good news is, it won’t be too long before the car is in customer’s hands.

Helping build the anticipation is a new suite of images and press material from Porsche UK. It’s reasonably detailed, too, listing a number of the weight saving measures taken by Porsche engineers. For example, the fuel tanks has been reduced to 54 litres, down from 64 litres, which saves 7kg. Take a few more steps like this, and you soon have you 80kg.

The goodies can be found after the jump.

UPDATE 27 March: Over 40 new images added!

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Audi

Mini-e-tron is R4-U2NV

Detroit showcar Audi e-tron

Rumours are getting stronger that the Mini-e-tron revealed in Detroit this week is a thinly disguised preview of the upcoming Audi R4 mid-engine sportscar. US blog InsideLine claim they have been told as much by sources within Audi.

The underpinnings of such a car would likely be shared across the Volkswagen group’s range, including its own Concept BlueSport and even the next generation Porsche Boxster and Cayman.

In regards to the Detroit showcar Audi e-tron, you would expect a lot of the concept to get lost in production, such as the aluminium carbon-fibre composite body, but an electric powered engine option could stay. Speculation also suggests that the snarling five-pot turbo from the Audi TT RS could find its way under the R4’s skin—yes please!

How or where the R4 would slot into the Audi range with the company’s iconic TT is uncertain at this stage, but Autoblog reckon an entry-level R4 could fit under the TT. Hard to see that happening, but stranger things have happened.

[Source: InsideLine & Autoblog | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche Boxster Spyder

More Porsche Boxster Spyder goodies for you now. It’s like the earlier article, but with less words and more moving pictures. Official clip from Porsche above, with some extra clips below for good measure. Sounds half decent, too.

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Porsche

Sneak peek: 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder

2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder

This is the Porsche Boxster Spyder, and it will be the lightest Porsche on the market in February 2010 when it arrives in showrooms around the world. It weighs in at 1275kg, fitted with PDK, which makes it 90kg lighter than a PDK equipped Boxster.

Adding more sweetness to the package is news that the Spyder will produce 320bhp from its 3.4 litre flat six. More astute Porsche connoisseurs will have already clocked that is 10bhp more than a Boxster S.

With the roof up, the fabric only cover is unlikely to do more than offer basic protection. Porsche have said the Spyder “has been developed first and foremost for driving in the open air”. Which also probably explains why they didn’t bother too much with how the roof looks.

If you are chasing that wind in your hair feeling, though, you can do this in very brisk fashion by sprinting to 100km/h in a mere 4.8 seconds. With retuned suspension you can bet that Stuttgart’s finest have made the most of lighter weight to ensure this car steers and handles with absolute precision.

The rear bulges over the engine cover are not the most convincing aesthetic solution ever seen on a motor car, but this is a small price to pay for what is sure to be a cracking drive. Speaking of prices,European customers will be paying a bit under €63,500(AU$105,000) to drive a Spyder away from their favourite Porsche dealer. The public will get their first look at the Boxster Spyder at the LA Motor Show in December.

More after the break.

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