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The Boxster is a mid-engine roadster that takes its name from the union of Porsche's classic, horizontally opposed six-cylinder 'boxer' engine architecture wîth a roadster body. In the case of the Boxster, that body echoes such famous mid-engine Porsche sports and racing cars as the 550 Spyder and the RS60.
The Boxster was unveiled as a stunning concept car at the North American International Auto Show at Detroit in January 1993. After an overwhelmingly positive response from around the world -- and an extensive period of development and testing -- Porsche put its newest sports car into series production as a 1997 model.
Ever since the Boxster's launch, the car has undergone continual enhancements. Those updates truly accelerate for 2003 wîth a more powerful engine, a new top wîth a glass window and a wider range of standard equipment.
New front and rear fascia improve the car's appearance as well as its performance efficiency. Performance is enhanced even more wîth the availability of new light-alloy wheels that reduce unsprung weight.
New VarioCam® technology and Motronic ME 7.8 engine management software increase the output of the Boxster's 2.7-liter engine and also make the engine more fuel-efficient while reducing exhaust emissions. Horsepower increases to 225 horsepower (SAE) at 6,300 rpm (compared to 217 horsepower for the 2002 model). The engine's torque figure remains 192 pound-feet at 4,750 rpm.
The 2003 Boxster can accelerate from a standing start to 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 6.4 seconds, an improvement of two-tenths of a second over the 2002 model. But even wîth this improved performance, the Boxster gets better fuel mileage. For 2003, its EPA figures are 20 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway (compared to respective numbers of 19 and 27 in 2002) and 11.7 liter/100km and 7.4 for Canada. Those figures are for a Boxster wîth its standard five-speed manual transmission; the Tiptronic® S transmission is available and also shows performance improvements for the 2003 model year.
Refinements to the car's styling contribute to these improved performance figures and also provide the Boxster wîth an even more contemporary -- and more 911®-like -- appearance.
The lower section of the roadster's face has been refined wîth enhanced side air intakes and a subtle redesign and extension of the front lip. These changes improve airflow through and around the car.
The redesigned convertible top has a fourth support bracket and a glass window wîth an electric defroster. The top still goes up or down in only 12 seconds, but its revised shape allows improved airflow to a redesigned rear spoiler that emerges from the car's rear deck at 75 mph (120 km/h) and retracts at 50 mph (80 km/h).
The side-mounted air scoops that feed cooling air to the Boxster's engine have been redesigned for improved efficiency and also have body-colored grids.
The rear section of the car gets new turn indicator light covers and a redesigned exhaust pipe that is flanked by thin but wide vents that enhance the car's appearance while also providing more cooling airflow around the exhaust system. For 2003 the Boxster gets the same shock absorbers as the Boxster S model, and the car's performance can be further enhanced by the availability of new optional wheels. The Boxster comes wîth standard 16-inch wheels, but a new, optional 17-inch wheel is more than half a pound lighter than the 17-inch wheel that was available on the 2002 model. Also optional for 2003 is an 18-inch light-alloy wheel previously available on the 911 Carrera. This wheel reduces unsprung weight by nearly six pounds per wheel compared to the 18-inch wheel available in 2002.
Also new for the 2003 model year is Porsche's new Communication Management system (PCM) that incorporates tuners, CD player, navigation system and trip computer, all connected to each other through the new Media-Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) digital databus.
Completing the subtle but significant changes for the Boxster for 2003 are the addition of such standard features as a new, 911-style cupholder that pops out of the dashboard, remote unlocking front and rear trunks as well as the passenger doors, and a lighted and locking glove compartment. The air-conditioner and heat controls have been moved from the console to the dash for easier accessibility and use, and instead of black leather, the §teering wheel, gearshift lever, door handles and handbrake lever are trimmed in the same color leather as the rest of the interior.
The Boxster continues to provide such safety technology as its patented crumple-zone body structure, inertia-reel three-point seatbelts wîth pretensioners and load limiters, dual front airbags, door-mounted side airbags and anti-lock brakes. Boron steel tubing reinforcements around the windshield and supplemental safety bars behind the seats help provide protection in rollover accidents. The Porsche Stability Management system (PSM) is available as an option.Source - Porsche
The Boxster was unveiled as a stunning concept car at the North American International Auto Show at Detroit in January 1993. After an overwhelmingly positive response from around the world -- and an extensive period of development and testing -- Porsche put its newest sports car into series production as a 1997 model.
Ever since the Boxster's launch, the car has undergone continual enhancements. Those updates truly accelerate for 2003 wîth a more powerful engine, a new top wîth a glass window and a wider range of standard equipment.
New front and rear fascia improve the car's appearance as well as its performance efficiency. Performance is enhanced even more wîth the availability of new light-alloy wheels that reduce unsprung weight.New VarioCam® technology and Motronic ME 7.8 engine management software increase the output of the Boxster's 2.7-liter engine and also make the engine more fuel-efficient while reducing exhaust emissions. Horsepower increases to 225 horsepower (SAE) at 6,300 rpm (compared to 217 horsepower for the 2002 model). The engine's torque figure remains 192 pound-feet at 4,750 rpm.
The 2003 Boxster can accelerate from a standing start to 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 6.4 seconds, an improvement of two-tenths of a second over the 2002 model. But even wîth this improved performance, the Boxster gets better fuel mileage. For 2003, its EPA figures are 20 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway (compared to respective numbers of 19 and 27 in 2002) and 11.7 liter/100km and 7.4 for Canada. Those figures are for a Boxster wîth its standard five-speed manual transmission; the Tiptronic® S transmission is available and also shows performance improvements for the 2003 model year.
Refinements to the car's styling contribute to these improved performance figures and also provide the Boxster wîth an even more contemporary -- and more 911®-like -- appearance.The lower section of the roadster's face has been refined wîth enhanced side air intakes and a subtle redesign and extension of the front lip. These changes improve airflow through and around the car.
The redesigned convertible top has a fourth support bracket and a glass window wîth an electric defroster. The top still goes up or down in only 12 seconds, but its revised shape allows improved airflow to a redesigned rear spoiler that emerges from the car's rear deck at 75 mph (120 km/h) and retracts at 50 mph (80 km/h).
The side-mounted air scoops that feed cooling air to the Boxster's engine have been redesigned for improved efficiency and also have body-colored grids.The rear section of the car gets new turn indicator light covers and a redesigned exhaust pipe that is flanked by thin but wide vents that enhance the car's appearance while also providing more cooling airflow around the exhaust system. For 2003 the Boxster gets the same shock absorbers as the Boxster S model, and the car's performance can be further enhanced by the availability of new optional wheels. The Boxster comes wîth standard 16-inch wheels, but a new, optional 17-inch wheel is more than half a pound lighter than the 17-inch wheel that was available on the 2002 model. Also optional for 2003 is an 18-inch light-alloy wheel previously available on the 911 Carrera. This wheel reduces unsprung weight by nearly six pounds per wheel compared to the 18-inch wheel available in 2002.
Also new for the 2003 model year is Porsche's new Communication Management system (PCM) that incorporates tuners, CD player, navigation system and trip computer, all connected to each other through the new Media-Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) digital databus.
Completing the subtle but significant changes for the Boxster for 2003 are the addition of such standard features as a new, 911-style cupholder that pops out of the dashboard, remote unlocking front and rear trunks as well as the passenger doors, and a lighted and locking glove compartment. The air-conditioner and heat controls have been moved from the console to the dash for easier accessibility and use, and instead of black leather, the §teering wheel, gearshift lever, door handles and handbrake lever are trimmed in the same color leather as the rest of the interior.The Boxster continues to provide such safety technology as its patented crumple-zone body structure, inertia-reel three-point seatbelts wîth pretensioners and load limiters, dual front airbags, door-mounted side airbags and anti-lock brakes. Boron steel tubing reinforcements around the windshield and supplemental safety bars behind the seats help provide protection in rollover accidents. The Porsche Stability Management system (PSM) is available as an option.Source - Porsche
Boxster S
The Boxster S model is an even higher performance version of the Porsche Boxster. It has an exclusive 3.2-liter 'boxer' six-cylinder engine, a standard six-speed manual ransmission, more athletic suspension tuning, an additional front air intake and a third radiator, standard 17-inch wheels and larger brakes. The exterior has distinctive titanium-colored trim and the interior features unique gauges and trim.Like the Boxster, the Boxster S has been enhanced for the 2003 model year wîth a variety of significant new features. Changes in its VarioCam® variable valve timing technology and new Motronic ME 7.8 engine management software system enable the 3.2-liter 'boxer' to generate an amazing 258 horsepower (SAE) at 6,200 rpm. The 2002 model provided 250 horsepower (SAE).
The torque rating is 229 lb.-ft., wîth a beefy torque curve that provides 85 percent of peak power at only 2,000 rpm, assuring the Boxster S of outstanding response even at low speeds.
To handle such power, the standard six-speed manual transmission has been upgraded wîth revisions to its single-plate drive clutch.Thanks to its more powerful engine and revised transmission, the Boxster S accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 5.7 seconds, a figure that is two-tenths of a second quicker than the 2002 Boxster S. But even wîth such impressive power figures, fuel economy figures have improved.
Like the 2003 Boxster, the 2003 Boxster S has a new top wîth a glass window and a wider range of standard equipment. New front and rear fascia improve the appearance and the aerodynamic efficiency of the Boxster S. Along wîth its revised front and rear fascias, the Boxster S also has redesigned twin exhaust pipes.
The high-performance roadster also gets new rear stabilizer bars that are longer (19 mm vs. 18.5 last year) and thicker (2.7 mm vs. 2.5).The car's already amazing performance can be enhanced even more through the availability of new light-alloy wheels that reduce unsprung weight. The new standard 17-inch wheels reduce unsprung weight by more than half a pound at each corner. The new, optional 18-inch wheels cut nearly 24 pounds of unsprung weight from the vehicle, a remarkable 22 percent reduction that directly results in more responsive handling.
Also new for the 2003 model year are Porsche's new Communication Management systems (PCM) that incorporates tuners, CD player, navigation system and trip computer, all connected to each other through the new Media-Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) digital databus.
The Boxster S continues to provide such safety technology as its patented crumple-zone body structure, inertia-reel three-point seatbelts wîth pretensioners and load limiters, dual front airbags, door-mounted side airbags and anti-lock brakes. Boron steel tubing reinforcements around the windshield and supplemental safety bars behind the seats help provide protection in rollover accidents. The Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system is available as an option.Source - PorscheBoxster S Anniversary Edition
Porsche celebrates the 50th anniversary of its legendary sports roadster by launching its Spyder special editionPorsche is celebrating the 50th birthday of the 550 Spyder by launching a powerful Boxster S special edition - limited to 1,953 units - and bearing the name 'Boxster S Anniversary Edition'. It is to be premiered in Detroit, ÚSA in January 2004, and it is expected to reach the ÚK in March 2004. The 'Boxster S Anniversary Edition' will be priced at £41,700 including VAT in the ÚK.
The Porsche Boxster is a direct descendent of the legendary 550 Spyder dating from 1953: common to both are the mid-engined roadster concept, low weight, outstanding agility, timelessly elegant body lines and a high level of driving pleasure. Now as then, every part of the car is dedicated to the demands of the enthusiastic driver resulting in the Porsche Boxster already having become a modern classic.
Porsche engineers have worked to enhance the roadster driving experience still further and have given the special 'Boxster S Anniversary Edition' a series of sought-after equipment details and technical features that have not been available for the Boxster so far. The output of the Boxster S's 3.2-litre flat-six engine goes up by 6 bhp to 266 bhp (196 kW) at 6,200 rpm. The special edition has a top speed of 266 km/h (standard Boxster S: 264 km/h) and sprints from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 5.7 seconds (Tiptronic S: 6.4 seconds). Its maximum torque of 310 Nm is available at 4,600 rpm.
The exhaust system, which has a specially styled, stainless-steel tailpipe, delivers the typical Porsche sound. Porsche technicians have reduced the 6-speed gearbox's shift travel by 15 percent, a noticeable benefit that contributes to even greater driving pleasure whenever the car is accelerated. Tiptronic S, permitting driver selection of the chosen gear using toggle switches on the §teering wheel, is an optional extra.
The car's true roadster character is emphasised by lowering the body by 10 millimetres and by sports suspension settings. This sports suspension improves the car's roadholding still further and permits higher lateral acceleration values. Porsche Stability Management (PSM) is installed as a standard to ensure optimum safety in all driving situations.
The brakes are another important safety feature. The cross-drilled brake discs have a diameter of 318 millimetres at the front and 299 millimetres at the rear. Exclusively for this special edition, the four-piston monobloc aluminum brake calipers have an aluminum paint finish. They are readily visible behind the larger 18-inch Carrera wheels (the standard model has 17-inch wheels). The spokes are painted in Seal Grey and provide additional visual emphasis. A coloured Porsche crest adorns each wheel hub cover. Five-millimeter wide spacers on all four wheels give the special 'Boxster S Anniversary Edition' an even more powerful appearance and firmer road stance. Another feature that sets this model apart from the standard Boxster S are the grills finished in body colour above the openings in the rear struts, which recall the closed rear view of the 550. The Boxster S lettering at the rear is polished chrome plate. The colour of the padded front of the roll-over bars matches the interior. An on-board computer, Litronic headlamps wîth dynamic beam angle adjustment and a cleaning system are also standard.
Most of the original 550 Spyders were painted in silver. The special edition has therefore been finished in gleaming GT Silver metallic, a colour so far reserved for the Carrera GT and the '40 Years of the 911' model.
The soft top is in Cocoa, a dark brown colour used by Porsche for the first time on this special edition. The same two colours dominate the car's interior, wîth matching carpet and floor mats wîth the Porsche inscription. Dark grey natural leather is available as an alternative; in this case the carpets and the hood are in black.
In both interior colours, the leather finish on the centre panels of the heated sport seats, the handbrake lever, the gear lever gaiter, the inside door handles and the padded sport §teering wheel provide exclusive visual cues and tactile features that give the interior a special character. The seat back shells, the rear section of the centre console, the handbrake lever, the grooved bar on the dashboard, the switch panel and the back of the roll-over bars are all finished in GT Silver, achieving a striking contrast. The black instrument dials are framed by chrome rings. The ball-shaped gear-lever knob is made of aluminum trimmed wîth Cocoa leather. The (optional) Tiptronic S gear shift cover is highly polished as is the Boxster S lettering that stands out against the black door sills.
This Boxster S special edition bears a limited-edition plate on the centre console indicating each car's individual production number. Automatic air conditioning, the Porsche CDR-23 radio wîth audio package and wind-deflectors are all standard and complete the package.Source - Porsche
The Porsche Boxster was introduced near the close of 1996 and is one of the companies smallest and least expensive vehicles offered for sale. Though this may be true, the mid-engined roadster is still a Porsche with superior performance, power, and styling. Internally, the Boxster is known as the 986/987, a naming scheme that Porsche has used since its existence. The name 'Boxster' is a combination of 'roadster' and 'boxer'. Boxer represents its horizontally-opposed engine which has its pistons moving in a boxing-like motion. The roadster represents the vehicles convertible top.
The styling is credited to Harm Lagaay and borrows heavily on the Porsche Spyder and Speedster. Immediately, the Boxster was popular and became Porsche's biggest volume seller. It would retain this title until 2003 when the newly introduced Cayenne SUV took away the title. From its introduction, magazines, journalists, and enthusiasts have been awarding the car with distinguished titles and accomplishments. It has been award Car & Drivers 'One of the 10 Best Cars of 1997', Automobile's 'Automobile of the Year', Business Week 'One of the Best New Products of 1997' and more.
When introduced, the Boxster was powered by a 2.5 liter flat six-cylinder engine that produced just over 200 horsepower. In 2000 the engine was upgraded to a 2.7 liter unit that raised horsepower by about 25. An 'S' variant also became available which added the 3.2 liter 250 horsepower engine. Porsche continued to improve the Boxster and by 2004 was offered a 240 horsepower engine as standard. The 'S' was producing an astonishing 280 horsepower.
The first version, the 986 was produced from 1996 through 2004. The upgraded engine brought about the 987 which began life in 2004. It was debuted to the public at the 2004 Paris Motor Show where it shared the stage with the new 911 997. Visually, there was little change for the 987 to the 986. The headlights of the 987 are more true to the Porsche designs of the past. The side intake vents became larger.
In 2007 Porsche again improved the base engine, now up to 245 horsepower which is the same as the newly introduced and highly anticipated Cayman. The 'S' version is nearly at 300 horsepower, again, equivalent to the 'S' version of the Cayman.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2006
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe styling is credited to Harm Lagaay and borrows heavily on the Porsche Spyder and Speedster. Immediately, the Boxster was popular and became Porsche's biggest volume seller. It would retain this title until 2003 when the newly introduced Cayenne SUV took away the title. From its introduction, magazines, journalists, and enthusiasts have been awarding the car with distinguished titles and accomplishments. It has been award Car & Drivers 'One of the 10 Best Cars of 1997', Automobile's 'Automobile of the Year', Business Week 'One of the Best New Products of 1997' and more.
When introduced, the Boxster was powered by a 2.5 liter flat six-cylinder engine that produced just over 200 horsepower. In 2000 the engine was upgraded to a 2.7 liter unit that raised horsepower by about 25. An 'S' variant also became available which added the 3.2 liter 250 horsepower engine. Porsche continued to improve the Boxster and by 2004 was offered a 240 horsepower engine as standard. The 'S' was producing an astonishing 280 horsepower.
The first version, the 986 was produced from 1996 through 2004. The upgraded engine brought about the 987 which began life in 2004. It was debuted to the public at the 2004 Paris Motor Show where it shared the stage with the new 911 997. Visually, there was little change for the 987 to the 986. The headlights of the 987 are more true to the Porsche designs of the past. The side intake vents became larger.
In 2007 Porsche again improved the base engine, now up to 245 horsepower which is the same as the newly introduced and highly anticipated Cayman. The 'S' version is nearly at 300 horsepower, again, equivalent to the 'S' version of the Cayman.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2006
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 2003
Porsche
models |
| Porsche 911 |
| Porsche 911 GT3 |
| Porsche 911 GT3 RS |
| Porsche Carrera GT |
| Porsche Cayenne |
| Porsche Cayenne Turbo |
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| Tesla | |
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| Porsche: 2001-2010 |
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| Porsche History |
| Other models by Porsche |
| Manufacturer Website |
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| 356 550/718 Sports Racing Cars 597 904 | 906 907 908 911 | 912 914 917 924 | 928 934/935 944 956 and 962 | 968 Boxster Carrera GT Cayenne | Cayman GT3 Panamera Type 959 |
| 2002 Boxster | 2004 Boxster |
