Designed and developed by Porsche engineers in just three and one half years, the Boxster is a thoroughbred two seat roadster. The basic philosophy in developing the Boxster was to make the  car a genuine Porsche in every respect. And the company's designers have fulfilled their task perfectly.   In its styling and design, the body is a modern interpretation of Porsche's classic models from the past. It proudly boasts styling features carried forward from the immortal Porsche No. 1 built in 1948 and the 1953 Porsche 550 Spyder.

Still, the Boxster seeks not only to thrill the beholder through its styling, but is also a good example of modern body design.  With a drag coefficient of just 0.31 as well as lift forces on the front and rear axles reduced to a minimum, the Boxster sets new standards also in terms of aerodynamics.

Another unique feature of the Boxster is that it opens up Porsche's price segment at the lower end, offering genuine Porsche motoring at a price never seen before. This achievement is made possible by consistent application of the simultaneous engineering principle and a totally new production concept now applied by the Company.   Indeed, production of the Boxster sets a new standard in modern, rational production philosophies, suppliers being fully integrated in the production process through a new concept of cooperation giving them greater responsibility for their supply modules and components.

In its technical concept the Boxster again takes up an old Porsche heritage by re-introducing the mid-engine concept.  Even the very first Porsche built, the 356/1 prototype, came with its engine in midship arrangement. And the most successful Porsche in the company's early years, the 550 Spyder, applied the same principle characteristic to this day. The Porsche Boxster proves that mid-engine design is perfectly suited for sports cars with everyday driving qualities.

In developing the soft roof, Porsche's engineers made it their commitment from the outset to reduce wind noise to a minimum. Another unique feature is that it takes only 12 seconds to open and close the roof electrically by way of a toggle switch - a function only possible, for safety reasons, with the car at a standstill and the handbrake on.

And last but certainly not least, the special sealing and water deflection system on the roof efficiently prevents even the slightest moisture from getting inside the car. Despite substantial experience from motor racing in the use of aluminum and plastic materials, Porsche's engineers opted for classic steel plate in building the fully galvanized bodyshell of the Boxster.

The interior offers all the features typical of a Porsche in even younger, more up-to-date style, and naturally includes two airbags.  Following an old tradition of the company, the ignition lock remains on the left-hand side while the instrument panel, as a whole, is far more compact than before with its three main instruments placed conveniently right in the middle.

The Boxster is available with two types of seat, both with electrical backrest adjustment: either the sporting but comfortable standard seat or the sports seat with even better support at the side.   Apart from various options, the Boxster may also be refined to an even higher standard with the Sports package comprising 17-inch wheels, an even lower suspension, and traction control.
 
 

Horizontally opposed 6 cylinder, DOHC 4valves per cylinder, all aluminum, water cooled
Bore and stroke: 85.5mm x 72.0mm
Displacement: 2.5L. or 2,480cc
Horsepower: 201@6,000 rpm
Torque: 180 lb-ft @4,550 rpm
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Cd: .31 (top up)
Fuel system: DME controlled FI
Induction: 2-stage resonant induction, w/Varioram
 
 

5 speed manual, or 5speed Tiptronic-S
 
 

FRONT: MacPherson struts, aluminum transverse and longitudinal links, coil springs
REAR: Transverse & Longitudinal links, toe link, coil spring
 
 

Unit steel
 
 

Curb weight: 2,550 lbs
Wheelbase: 94.5"
Length: 162.7"
Width: 68.5"

Dual circuit, power assist, internally vented discs, ABS-5
16x6.0" front,16x7" rear aluminum alloy
 
 

17/25 mpg
 
 

0-60mph: 6.0 seconds (Tiptronic: 7.1s)
Top Speed: 155 mph (Tiptronic version: 152 mph)
 
 
 
 

The engine of the Boxster is brand-new in every respect. While naturally being a "classic" Porsche power unit in flat-six configuration, it has obviously been updated to reflect the signs of the times, now featuring a water cooling system and four-valve technology.

These systems, which really reached maturity in the 911 GT1 racing car, help the regular production Boxster to minimize both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. And with an output of 150 kW or 204 bhp at 6000 rpm, the engine ensures ample power and performance from its 2.5 litres.

In the design of the six-cylinder horizontally-opposed power unit Porsche's engineers have again established several new benchmarks. The flow of coolant is the same as on Porsche's racing engines, applying the cross-flow principle to keep all cylinders and combustion chambers at the same, consistent level of temperature.

There is a separate coolant circuit around the cylinders as opposed to the cylinder heads. bridge.  Camshaft opening times are kept variable by adjusters in the drive chains (applying Variocam, a Porsche patent). Featuring automatic chain tensioners and hydraulic play compensation, the entire valve drive system is absolutely maintenance free.

Fuel injection and ignition are both masterminded by Bosch Motronic M 5.2. Fuel supply is sequential through one jet per cylinder, meaning that it follows the same rhythm as the firing order of the engine. The amount of fuel injected per cycle is determined by hot film air mass metering in the intake manifold and, of course, by oxygen sensors featuring particularly accurate stereo control.

The ignition system is all-electronic, featuring solid-state technology and six individual coils without any mechanical ignition components or distributors. To adjust the engine to fuel grades inferior to 98 RON SuperPlus, the electronic ignition control unit incorporates cylinder specific anti-knock management retarding the ignition on a cylinder about to knock.

Focusing on the power transmission of his car the Boxster purchaser has the choice of either a five-speed manual gearbox or, at extra cost, five-speed automatic transmission.

The Tiptronic S transmission on the Boxster differs from its counterpart in the 911 not only through the number of gears, but also through the configuration and use of the selector lever.

Featuring wheel supports and guidance components made of aluminum, the suspension of the Boxster is truly progressive.  By consistently using standard parts common to the Boxster and the 911, both axles, based on the McPherson principle, offer an economic and, at the same time, compact, space-saving solution.

The brake system incorporates the latest achievements in racing technology, with the Boxster being the first production car to feature light alloy, four piston brake calipers in monoblock design. These extra strong multi piece calipers come straight from the 911 GT1 and are also used in Formula 1. The brake discs  are inner vented front and rear, and the anti-lock brake system (ABS 5) is fitted as standard.
 

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