Review: Porsche 981 Boxster (2012-16)

Overview

Released in July 2012, the Porsche 981 Boxster was a two-door convertible with a power-operated soft-top roof. Manufactured in Stuttgart, Germany, the rear-wheel drive 981 Boxster was initially available with 2.7- and 3.4-litre horizontally opposed (or flat) six-cylinder engines that were mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed double clutch transmissions (DCT, or Porsche’s PDK). The Boxster GTS was released in June 2014.

Engines

The horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engines featured two-piece (vertically split) aluminium blocks, integrated dry-sump lubrication, liquid cooling, direct injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and Porsche’s VarioCam Plus variable valve timing and two-stage lift system. For the 981 Boxster, an ‘auto start/stop’ function was introduced which enabled the engines to shut down when the vehicle was stationary to conserve fuel. Models with the DCT also had a coast function which could disengage the driveline when the driver released the throttle to prevent engine braking and thereby improve fuel economy.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the 987 Boxster , the 981 Boxster was 32 mm longer (at 4374 mm), the same width (1801 mm), 10 mm lower (1282 mm) and had a 60 mm longer wheelbase (2475 mm). Furthermore, the 981 Boxster had a steel-aluminium hybrid body which contributed to an approximate 30 kg reduction in kerb weight and a 40 per cent increase in torsional stiffness. The 981 Boxster’s soft-top roof had a magnesium-framed structure and could be opened or closed – fully automatically – in nine seconds and at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

Suspension and steering

Like its predecessor, the 981 Boxster had MacPherson strut suspension front and rear. However, the 981 Boxster was also fitted with a new electro-mechanical power steering system.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the 981 Boxster included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted thorax airbags, front door-mounted head-protecting airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

For the standard Boxster, the ventilated front brake discs had a diameter of 315 mm and were fitted with four-piston calipers; the Boxster S, however, was fitted with 330 mm front discs.

Features: Boxster and Boxster S

Standard features for the Boxster included 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 front and 265/45 rear tyres, a seven speaker sound system with a six-disc CD/DVD player, MP3-compatibility and an auxiliary USB input, a satellite navigation system with seven-inch touch-screen display and live traffic updates, climate control air conditioning, power adjustable and heated front seats with leather trim, cruise control, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a power adjustable steering wheel, power-operated park brake, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Boxster S was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 front and 265/40 rear tyres and bi-xenon headlights.

2014 Boxster GTS

Released in Australia in June 2014, the Boxster GTS was fitted with 20-inch black Carrera S alloy wheels with 235/35 front and 265/35 rear tyres, a unique front spoiler, black finish bi-xenon headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), black gloss rear lettering and a lower rear apron.

As standard, the Boxster GTS was also fitted with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM, detailed below) and a Sport Chrono package which included dynamic engine mounts that could stiffen to reduce the effects of mass transfer and, for models with the PDK transmission, a Launch Control function. For models with manual transmissions, however, the Sport Chrono package included automatic declutching with downshifts in the Sport Plus drive mode.

2015 Boxster Spyder

Released in Australia in the third quarter of 2015, the Boxster Spyder was powered by a 3.8-litre six cylinder engine and solely available with a six-speed manual transmission. To reduce mass, the Spyder has a fabric roof which is opened and closed by hand.

Compared to the standard Boxster, the Boxster Spyder had a 20 mm lower ride height, more direct steering and brakes as per the 911 Carrera (i.e. 330 mm perforated and vented brake discs with four-piston aluminium monobloc brake calipers). Visually, the Boxster Spyder could be identified by its front and rear masks which were shared with the Cayman GT4, and streamlined bulges that extended across its rear deck.

Inside, the Boxster Spyder featured light sports bucket seats with large side bolsters and a new 360 mm diameter steering wheel (compared to 370 mm for the standard Boxster). For Australia, standard features for the Boxster Spyder included satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, heated seats and cruise control.

2015 Porsche Boxster Black Edition

Produced from May 2015, the Boxster Black Edition was distinguished by its 20-inch ‘Carrera Classic’ alloy wheels, embossed Porsche crests for the front headrests, bi-xenon headlights with the ‘Porsche Dynamic Light System’, auto-dimming interior and door mirrors, and a Sport Design steering wheel. The 911 Boxster Black Edition could be identified by its black paint finish, black-painted rollover bar and ‘Black Edition’ logos on the door guards.

May 2015 update

In May 2015, standard features for the Boxster and Boxster S were extended to include fourteen-way power adjustable front seats, front parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel.

PASM and PTV

The Boxster was available with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management Technology (PASM) as an extra-cost option. With continuously adjustable shock absorbers and a pair of accelerometers, PASM offered selectable ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ modes. In Sport mode, the suspension was lowered and a firmer damper control map was activated. In its normal setting, the PASM would automatically adjust to changes in driving style, becoming firmer in response to greater dynamic forces.

Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) was also available as an option and consisted of a mechanical rear axle differential lock which could brake the inside rear wheel when cornering for more accurate handling. The differential lock had an asymmetric locking action of 22 per cent in traction and 27 per cent in propulsion.

Brochures

• Brochure: Porsche 981 Boxster (December 2013)
• Brochure: Porsche 981 Boxster GTS (December 2013)

Related links

• Porsche Cars Australia: Porsche Boxster
• Wikipedia.org: Porsche 981 Boxster