Porsche Boxster Review

The most affordable model Porsche had was the Boxster till the Cayman came out in 2015. The 1st generation Porsche Boxster was introduced to the world in 1996. Over 2 decades old and this car still sets your heart beating. Currently in its 4th generation the 718 was launched in 2016. Let us have a look of how much the 4th generation Porsche Boxster has evolved and does is still have the value for money as before?

Porsche Boxster Price

Just hitting the CR mark the Porsche Boxster is a bit pricey over its competition the SLK and Z4. Then again you also have the Cayman which is a competition from its own stable and a much more logical buy considering the Porsche Boxster is a convertible and not likely much of use in India weather conditions.

Also Read: Audi TT Review

Porsche Boxster Design

Precise and this time fanciful too. Self-assured, not restrained. Low, wide and sleek. The exterior design of the 718 models is distinguished by sporty edges and clearly defined formal contours. Sharp, snappy, clean – inside and out. The design is striking. That is how Porsche describes the Boxster too. The difference between the Boxster and the Cayman being the convertible and non convertible roof. The roadster soft roof makes the Boxster have a different sex appeal and in its own league.  The teardrop designed headlamps are coated black from the inside to make it more sporty.

The bumper is a strange design. I starts from the side but towards the centre goes deep into the bonnet. This is to keep the typical Porsche wing design intact. Here the centre is low and the side bulk out like wings. At Least that is how Porsche puts it. From the side it is a bit more sporty. There is a bold shoulder line they runs through the lower side of the window. That is also where the door handle is and at the rear air intake scoop for better aerodynamics. The big wheels with low profile tyres fit well into the large wheel arches.

Thee wrap around kidney shaped LED tail lamps remain the same with black insights for a sportier feel. The rear looks more like a sportback than a sports car. The shoulder line that starts just above the headlamp flows all the way to the rear just above the tail lamp. This makes the body look like a different entity from the cabin area. There is a nice black strip that flow from tail lamp to tail lamp with the Porsche Boxster badging. And a single bazooka like exhaust in the centre at the base.

Porsche Boxster Interiors

The steering of the Porsche Boxster is the typical three spoke Porsche steering. But this steering has no controls. The area is hollow. The volume and track changer is a knob extending at the lower right side of the steering. Just in front of the of the stick for scanning through the system. On the left there is a similar stick for cruise control. Behind all this are the chrome paddle shifts. The three pod instrument cluster are again typical Porsche. The circular a/c vents have chrome lining around them for added value. And the old school analogue clock in the centre looks classy. The large screen for the infotainment is good but the icons seem old and not up to the current level of cars.

Luckily this car has way less button than the likes of Macan, Cayenne etc and leads to less confusion. I am in love with the abundance of chrome strip on the dash board and the door sills. There is still more chrome in the back side of the bucket seats. These seats in spite of being extremely sporty are extremely comfortable. The Sports seats are comfortable and provide support even during performance driving. They come equipped with electric backrest adjustment and mechanical height and fore/aft adjustment. The seat centres are lined with Alcantara®.

ISOFIX child seat preparation for the front passenger seat is available as an option and includes a deactivation function for the front passenger airbag. The Porsche Tequipment range of genuine accessories offers a selection of Porsche child seats specially tested and approved for Porsche cars. The roof though cloth is of a special waterproof material.

Also Read: Audi RS7 Sportback Review

Porsche Boxster Colours

The Porsche Boxster is available in the following colours

• Agate Gray Metallic
• Black
• Carmine Red
• Carrera White Metallic
• Dark Blue metallic
• GT SIlver Metallic
• Guards Red
• Jet Black Metallic
• Lime Gold Metallic
• Mahogany Metallic
• Racing Yellow
• Rhodium Silver Metallic
• Sapphire Blue Metallic

Yes the car does have black. But there are other interesting colours too, like racing yellow, Sapphire blue, mahogany etc. The Boxster seems to grab attention in any colours.

Porsche Boxster Engine

Do not go on the size of the engine. This is a performance beast. Well you may not have outright shoot, it is still quick. But a wooping 275 km.h top speed is amazing. For a car that provides a complete sports car feel with utmost luxury. What else could be asked. 300 bhp by a megere 2 litre engine is an engineering marvel.

This engine feel stress free even at the top speed and has a great mid range. For a petrol the torque kicks in really early and has a wide range. The automatic is seamless and is actually quicker than the manual. The Porsche Boxster feels bit heavier than the Cayman. The convertible roof mechanism always has added weight compared to the regular metal roof. The engineers at Porsche have worked hard to keep the weight low and not make difference in performance. I mean why compromise on performance.

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz E Class Cabriolet Review

Porsche Boxster Mileage

If the claimed mileage is true this sports car is one rare efficient vehicle. And a fuel range of 600 before hitting a fuel stop is a good range for a sports car. Considering the small dimensions and lightweight, I couldn’t expect a bigger tank. If you are a couple what better car to head to goa in for a winter break. Considering the added weight and the mess up of aerodynamics, the Porsche Boxster still manages a good performance with an excellent efficiency which is shocking.

Porsche Boxster Dimensions

A 1.8 meter width is broad and that adds to stability to this car. The speed that it attains and the quick nature, needs a car with good dynamics. The ground clearance of 115 mm is less but is just about right for a sports car. Unfortunately our Indian roads do not favour this. Mumbai-Pune highway and roads like this this car would be a bomb but anywhere else would be a nightmare even our dear Carter road at bandra.

Any guy trying to show off would only turn his car into a seesaw if he doesn’t know to ride it RIGHT! The only thing that changes is the height thank to the textile convertible roof. I’m surprised that Porsche has engineered this so well that is manages to keep the weight same as the Cayman.

Porsche Boxster Drive and Handling

This is one area where it is really really really hard to come close to a Porsche let alone beating it. Each Porsche is made for a purpose and yet delivers an amazing driving experience  The steering feedback is precise and so is the suspension.The suspension is a bit still but manageable. This prevents the car from scrapping in bad potholes. On the bright side the car is amazing in corners. You would really enjoy this car on track. The seats are comfortable and soaks most of the thuds that is not filtered by the suspension.

Porsche has portrayed this as a luxury / performance oriented sports car. The seats of a sports car but the cushion of  a luxury car. If not for the cost of parts or availability of spares this would be my choice over the SLK and Z4 any day. Unlike the bigger SUVs the Porsche Boxster steering does not over steer. It dives where you want it to go. The broad tyres are menacing and grip the road like fevicol. That is a good thing. The car is amazing and no Issues except that the car tends to understeer due to the convertible roof. The car is fine on straight roads but the wind does effect the car on high speed curves.  Somehow the car handles better with the roof open than closed.

Summary

Being marginally more expensive than the SLK and Z4 the Porsche Boxster still makes a good proposition. Now it is a convertible too. For hard closed roof you can look at the Cayman which is basically the same car. I would pay the extra buck more. Handling wise it is the best of the lot and does everything with precision. Without a doubt with a lot of luxury and comfort. The Porsche Boxster has tried its best to be a universal car and has succeeded and hope it continues to do so.