Porsche Boxster
Highlights:
Superior power from 2.7 litres
The 2.7-litre power unit featured in the “basic” Boxster develops maximum output of 168 kW (228 bhp) at 6300 rpm. Maximum torque of 260 Newtonmetres or 192 lb-ft comes at 4700 rpm, allowing the Boxster to cover the sprint from 0 – 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, that is 0.2 seconds faster than the former model. Top speed is 253 km/h or 157 mph. And like the Boxster S, the “normal” Boxster also offers a 2 per cent improvement in fuel economy thanks to VarioCam technology.
New VarioCam for extra power and enhanced fuel economy
The increase in engine output as well as the reduction in both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions result primarily from the new VarioCam control system offering infinite adjustment of the camshafts up to an angle of 40°, reducing charge cycle losses accordingly to an even lower level than before. This means that valve timing on the intake camshafts is varied infinitely according to individual requirements by a vane cell adjuster fitted directly on the sprocket driving the camshafts.
A further highlight featured as standard: side airbags with full head protection also in a convertible
All Porsche sports cars come as standard with the POSIP (Porsche Side Impact Protection) side airbag system. Through their specific geometry, the side airbags efficiently protect the occupant's head and upper body even with the roof open and the side windows retracted.
Extended range of standard equipment
The Boxster model series already featuring an electrically operated roof, electric window lifts, alcantara seat upholstery, thermal insulation glass, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, central locking and an electric immobiliser, together with a large number of other features, has had an even wider range of standard equipment since last year: Two items are the cupholder and remote control opening not only the car, but also the front and rear bootlids. Another highlight is the illuminted and lockable glove compartment offering five litres storage capacity right beneath the passenger airbag.
Porsche Boxster:
A Powerful Roadster with Powerful Character
Since last year the “basic” Boxster in the range has featured new air intake scoops at the side, intake air grids finished in body colour, a more distinctly contoured “lip” at the front, a redesigned rear spoiler, a modified roof now featuring a glass window for extra comfort and convenience on the road, direction indicators in greyish-white at the rear, and two striking crossbars right at the end of the car. The most obvious sign of distinction versus the Boxster S – the oval tailpipe as opposed to the twin tailpipes on the S model – has been redesigned as yet a further highlight.
Outstanding performance
The entry-level Boxster, like the Boxster S, offers a high standard of performance and superior engine characteristics: Displacing 2.7 litres, the horizontally-opposed six-cylinder now develops maximum output of 168 kW (228 bhp) at 6300 rpm. Maximum torque of 260 Newtonmetres (192 bhp) in turn, comes at 4700 rpm. With its five-speed manual gearbox fitted as standard, the Boxster accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, that is 0.2 seconds faster than before. Top speed is 253 km/h or 157 mph. Despite the increase in power and performance versus the former model, fuel consumption is lower than before, down by approximately 2 per cent according to the EU standard to 9.7 litres/100 km (29.1 mpg Imp) (Tiptronic S: 10.7 ltr/100 km or 26.4 mpg Imp). Like on the Boxster S, this is primarily attributable to VarioCam technology adjusting the camshafts infinitely up to an angle of 40°, in the process reducing exhaust emissions and any loss of power in the charge cycle.
More specifically, valve timing on the intake camshafts is adjusted infinitely as required by a wing cell adjuster fitted directly on the camshafts in the sprocket drive wheel. Porsche was the first manufacturer to introduce this integral concept in the current 911 Carrera, oil pressure turning the position of the inner wing cell wheel versus the outer sprocket wheel by up to 40° crankshaft angle.
The VarioCam System is able to respond very quickly and precisely to the driver's commands, for example when demanding maximum power or adopting a more reserved style of motoring like in city traffic. This requires highly accurate valve timing both when opening and closing the valves, the intake camshaft being adjusted to an earlier intake point when running under part load. The higher amount of residual gas then remaining in the combustion chamber leads to a reduction in fuel consumption. Under full load, in turn, the engine builds up maximum power thanks to valve timing overlap on the intake and outlet sides reduced to a minimum. Maximum torque, finally, is provided by large valve overlap with the intake valves closing at an earlier point.
The various VarioCam systems and units are masterminded by new Motronic ME 7.8 featured for the first time in the 911 Turbo. Specially conceived for these requirements, this engine management system measures, inter alia, engine speed, the position of the gas pedal, air volume, engine oil and coolant temperature, as well as the gear currently in mesh. Applying this input data, Motronic finally determines the requisite position of the intake camshafts. Precise synchronisation of the intake camshafts on the two rows of cylinders is ensured by intelligent Motronic control, with the system also intervening in the fuel/air mixture formation and ignition processes. Featuring fully integrated on-board diagnosis (OBD), Motronic also supervises the various functions of the engine. As soon as OBD determines a malfunction in the engine, an appropriate message is recorded in the defect memory and an optical warning signal is activated in the instrument cluster. The workshop is then able to read the message with the help of a diagnostic tester, determining precisely what has gone wrong.
Active and passive safety of the highest calibre
Benefitting from its optimised body structure and the most advanced, sophisticated materials, the Boxster offers a supreme standard of body stiffness combined with relatively low body weight. Both its torsional and flexural stiffness are absolutely outstanding for an open car, clearly reflecting Porsche's particular know-how in lightweight steel construction in an area where active and passive safety are closely connected with one another. At the front end of the car Porsche combines the benefits of a longitudinal and transverse structure. This combination of load-bearing elements guarantees precisely defined distribution of impact forces in a collision, three separate load levels taking up deformation energy, passing on forces to the stiff side-sill and tunnel areas, and thus minimising any deformation of the interior. Areas such as the doors and bulkhead support particularly exposed to impact forces are reinforced by extra-strong boron steel. The Boxster is well prepared not just for a head-on, side, glancing or rear-end collision, but also comes with a superior rollover protection system maximising occupant safety should the car ever roll over in an accident. An extra-strong tube integrated in the extremely stiff A-pillars gives the windscreen frame supreme stability, whilst the rollbar directly behind the seats serves additionally to maintain the occupants' survival area even under extreme conditions. This concept is rounded off by a superior occupant restraint system featuring not only driver and passenger airbags, but also the POSIP (Porsche Side Impact Protection) side airbag system. Both the chassis and the brakes ensure a supreme standard of active safety in the Boxster.
Specifically, this means a wide range of superior features:
• Harmonious, safe behaviour when changing lanes at all speeds
• Supreme driving safety in all situations
• Spontaneous, direct and precise steering with excellent roadholding
• A smooth and easily controllable load change response in bends
• A high level of lateral acceleration
• Body roll, dive and squat reduced to a minimum in bends, when braking and accelerating
• Very short brake distances even under extreme conditions demanding the utmost of the brakes
• Superior brake stability when driving straight ahead and in bends
Cockpit features and equipment
Like the Boxster S, the “basic” model in the range also comes as standard with a cupholder beneath the central air outlet and an illuminated and lockable glove compartment (with five litres capacity) connected to the alarm system available as an option. The Boxster aficionado will also notice the switches fitted horizontally in the instrument panel since last year, further details being the harmonised colour scheme replacing the black leather formerly surrounding the steering wheel, the gearshift lever, door handles and handbrake lever now finished in the colour of the interior as well as the modified aluminium look of various units within the interior. As in the past, the seats on both the Boxster and Boxster S are finished in highquality alcantara down the middle. The seat backrests adjust electrically for angle and can be tilted forwards for easy access to the storage area directly behind the seats and in the roof compartment. All-electric seats with a memory function on the driver's side are available as an option. As before, the Boxster S stands out from the 2.7-litre model also through its white circular dials in aluminium-coloured surrounds. And when equipped with Porsche Communication Management (PCM), both the Boxster and the Boxster S come with a dot matrix display. Providing a higher standard of precision than a segment display, this style of presentation is able to show numbers and letters in various sizes and provide additional text information.
And last but not least, Porsche Communication Management (PCM) also presents information such as the radio station currently tuned in, music titles, incoming telephone calls as well as pictograms for route navigation via a databus in the display on the instrument cluster.
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Porsche Boxster hi-res media pics