Review: Porsche 987 Boxster (2005-11)

Review: Porsche 987.I Boxster (2005-08)

Overview

Released in March 2005, the Porsche 987 Series I (987.I) Boxster was a mid-engined, soft-top convertible. Manufactured in Stuttgart, Germany, the rear-wheel drive 987 Boxster was initially available with 2.7- and 3.2-litre horizontally-opposed six cylinder petrol engines (see table below). In November 2006, the Boxster was updated and the 3.2-litre engine was replaced with a more powerful 3.4-litre unit.

Engines

The horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engines featured two-piece (vertically split) aluminium blocks, integrated dry-sump lubrication, liquid cooling, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and Porsche’s VarioCam variable intake valve timing system. For the 987 Boxster, the engines were fitted with larger air filters and larger intake manifolds which had two-chamber pipes and distributor flaps between the cylinder banks. From November 2006, the 2.7- and 3.4-litre engines were fitted with Porsche’s VarioCam Plus system. With VarioCam Plus, variable valve timing was combined with two-stage lift on the intake side via electro-hydraulically operated switchable tappets.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the 986 Boxster , the 987 Boxster was 38 mm longer (at 4359 mm), 20 mm wider (1801 mm) and 31 mm lower (1259 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2416 mm). Furthermore, the 987 Boxster achieved a 9 per cent increase in torsional stiffness, while bending rigidity increased by 14 per cent. The Boxster’s power-operated, soft-top roof could be opened or lowered in 12 seconds and at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

Like its predecessor, the 987 Boxster had MacPherson strut suspension front and rear.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the 987.I Boxster included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted thorax airbags, front door-mounted head-protecting airbags, ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. From November 2006, standard safety equipment was extended to include electronic brake force distribution.

Brakes

The Boxster had 298 mm by 24 mm ventilated front brake discs with four-piston aluminium monobloc front calipers. The Boxster S, however, had 318 mm by 28 mm front brake discs.

Features: Boxster

Standard features for the Boxster included 17-inch alloy wheels, four speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, climate control air conditioning, power adjustable front seats with leather trim, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tinted windows, a trip computer, motion-sensing alarm and an immobiliser. From November 2006, standard features were extended to include a seven speaker, 230 watt sound system with a single CD player and front fog lamps.

The six-speed manual models were also fitted with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management Technology (PASM). With continuously adjustable shock absorbers and a pair of accelerometers, PASM offered selectable ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ modes. In Sport mode, the suspension lowered the car by 10 mm 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.

Features: Boxster S

Compared to the standard Boxster, the Boxster S was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and ambient lighting.

2008 Boxster RS60 Spyder

In April 2008, a limited-run RS60 Spyder variant was released. Compared to the S, the RS60 featured a dual exhaust (producing a slight power increase), 19-inch alloy wheels with wheel spacers (for increased track) and an active suspension system. Visually, the RS60 could be identified by its Porsche SportDesign front mask, silver metallic paint finish, red leather interior, red soft-top roof, black windscreen frame, red centre console and silver roll bars and seatbelts.

Review: Porsche 987.II Boxster (2009-11)

Overview

Released in March 2009, the 987 Series II (987.II) Boxster introduced improved equipment levels, a new 2.9-litre engine for the standard Boxster, direct-injection for the 3.4-litre engine and seven-speed double-clutch transmissions (DCT, or Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, PDK).

Visually, the 987.II Boxster could be identified by its new head lights, daytime running lights, larger front air intakes, reshaped LED tail-lights and lower rear end with twin diffusers. Other changes included modified suspension, wider wheels and larger brakes for the S variant. In August 2010, the Boxster Spyder was released (see below).

Features

Features were improved for the 987.II Boxster, which gained an MP3-compatible sound system with auxiliary inputs (iPod and USB), a six-disc CD/DVD player, satellite navigation with touchscreen display, heated front seats and rear parking sensors.

Porsche Boxster Spyder

Released in August 2010, the Boxster Spyder was a lightweight model which had a manually-operated canopy roof instead of the power-operated soft-top roof of the standard Boxster and Boxster S. Further mass-reduction measures for the Boxster Spyder included its 19-inch alloy wheels, racing seats, belt-style pull doors instead of handles and the omission of daytime running lights and front fog lights. As a result, the Boxster Spyder had a kerb weight of 1275 kg, 80 kg less than the Boxster S.

The Boxster Spyder was powered by the same 3.4-litre engine as used in the 987.II Cayman S , had a unique suspension tune and could be identified by its lower side windows and engine cover with twin bulges.

Brochure

• Brochure: Porsche 987.II Boxster (March 2010)

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Porsche 987 Boxster