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2014 Porsche Boxster

Lightness means faster and more efficient

Lighter and more fuel-efficient, faster and more agile – with an all-new lightweight design body and completely revamped chassis, the latest generation of the Boxster is setting new top scores for Porsche Intelligent Performance. Considerably lower weight, a longer wheelbase, a wider track and larger wheels significantly enhance the mid-engine sports car's driving dynamics yet further, already far and away the best in its class, supported by the new electro-mechanical power steering. As an additional boost to driving dynamics, Porsche offers the Sport Chrono Package as an optional extra for the Boxster, featuring

dynamic transmission mounts for the first time. Also new in the Boxster is Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear axle differential lock.

The new Boxsters boast superior performance as well as being up to 15 per cent more

fuel-efficient. They boast ultra-modern, direct fuel injection, six-cylinder engines and all variants get by with less than nine litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, the Boxster with PDK even managing with less than eight litres.

Never before in the history of the Porsche Boxster was a change of generation so compre - hensive and so clearly apparent at first glance: The change in proportions is a lasting one. For example, the wheelbase has increased by 60 millimetres and the front track width by up to 40 millimetres and at the rear by up to 18 millimetres, as a result of which the wheels align flush with the body. The windscreen is flatter and set approximately 100 millimetres further forward; all in all the Boxster is up to 13 millimetres lower. Together with its con -

vertible top line extended far to the back, the new Boxster cuts a very elegant silhouette.

Another factor contributing to its sportier appearance is that the body is a mere 32 millimetres longer than before, while at the same time the overhang at the front has been reduced by 27 millimetres – the Boxster remains the compact roadster.

Typical of the enhanced design is the shoulder line, which runs from the strongly upward curving front wing into the rear side section and which also accommodates the exterior mirrors, now in the vicinity of the upper edge of the door. Particularly expressive and characteristic is the new dynamic indentation in the door, which guides the intake air to the striking intake in the rear side section: you can see where the roadster's heart beats. The more distinctive shapes of the wings, doors, intake air guide and top further accentuate the wheel housing. The newly designed, larger alloy wheels emphasise the car's dynamics even when it is stationary. The Boxster comes with 18-inch wheels featured as standard; the Boxster S is equipped with even more imposing 19-inch format wheels – each with its

own individual design. 20-inch wheels are available as an optional extra.

The new Boxster's front-end is dominated by the large lateral radiator openings and the headlights. Both the halogen headlights, standard for the new Boxster, and the new Bi-Xenon headlights, standard for the Boxster S, were completely redeveloped. The headlights, also redesigned, with daytime driving and position lights in LED technology, are integrated above the striking air intakes.

The rear end of the new Boxster models has been completely redesigned: there is no longer any convertible-top compartment lid, rear wing and lights are linked by a prominent edge spanning the entire vehicle width and the central lamp unit located beneath it combines the rear fog light and reversing lights in one flat strip. The new tail lights, all in LED technology, are perfectly integrated into the rear apron, with their shape curving around the corner of the car. The redesigned tailpipes complete the deep, centred look. This is further emphasised by the diffuser, which spans the width of the vehicle. A characteristic feature of

the Boxster is an oval tailpipe; the Boxster S has a twin-flow double tailpipe.

More power from the middle

The Boxster's mid-engine concept has been a decisive reason for its outstanding agility ever since the roadster has existed. In addition, the flat-six engines with their economical performance, located forward of the rear axle, make the two-seater Porsche a model of performance and efficiency.

The new Boxster models have opened a whole new chapter here. With direct fuel injection, thermal management, electrical system recuperation and auto start/stop function, both models' engines are even more powerful than before on the one hand while being more than 15 per cent more fuel-efficient irrespective of model on the other hand.

The Boxster's engine has been derived from the Boxster S machine according to the down - sizing principle and has a displacement of 2.7 litres – 0.2 litres less than its predecessor. Both bore and stroke have been reduced. In the standard model, increased performance, higher revs and the specific design of the combustion chamber for direct fuel injection with higher compression resulted in a change to the light alloy pistons. On the intake side, both engines feature variable valve lift and variable valve timing (VarioCam Plus) with the

range of adjustment increased from 40 to 50 degrees. Moreover, the engines breathe

through an especially flow-optimised and thus efficient air intake system. The main reason behind the reduced breathing resistance is that air is now drawn in from both air intakes on left and right. Moreover, a pressure sensor measures the intake manifold pressure instead of a conventional hot-film mass air flow sensor, which is located in the air flow and thus acts as an obstacle. In the 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine of the Boxster S, a controllable resonance flap further improves the charge level, thus providing high torque at low revs and an even torque curve.

Intelligent efficiency: electrical system recuperation, thermal management, coasting

To increase efficiency, the boxer engines feature electrical system recuperation and mapcontrolled cooling water thermal management. In terms of electrical system recuperation, the battery receives an increased charge during the braking or coasting phases. Reducing the generator charging current with a full battery in turn reduces the load on the combustion engine during acceleration phases as the combustion engine does not have to sacrifice so much power for charging the battery. Thanks to the intelligently managed cooling systems shared by both engine and transmission, both of them reach their operating temperatures more quickly, meaning better combustion under partial load with less friction. To avoid any

disadvantages under full load, the map-controlled thermostat – as required by the driver – very quickly reduces the temperature under full load even below the level of the predecessor model, thus ensuring an optimal charge and maximum performance. Moreover, Porsche is introducing the start/stop function for PDK and manual transmission in the Boxster as well.

The Boxster with PDK transmission is borrowing the principle of only drawing on engine power when it is actually needed from the new 911 Carrera: so-called coasting. What is meant by coasting is rolling along without power, with the engine idling and with low fuel consumption to match. In practice, that means fuel savings of up to one litre per 100 kilometres with a forward-thinking driving style in everyday driving. Coasting is initiated by slowly taking one's foot off the accelerator or by a manual upshift command if the highest possible gear given the driving situation already happens to be engaged. Coasting is ended by accelerating, braking or by manually changing gear. Coasting is better for fuel consumption because it enables the vehicle to harness its kinetic energy and convert it into forward motion.

Standard equipment: manual six-speed gearbox

The gearbox is critical to driving performance, comfort and fuel consumption values. A six speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard in the new Boxster models, the gear ratios being optimally matched to the engine characteristics. The Boxster's new ergonomics and the more precise shift characteristics now offer the driver even better prerequisites for fast and effortless gear changes: The upward inclined centre console, as in the Carrera GT, and the driver's seat position ensure a very short distance between the steering wheel and gearshift lever. The new gear indicator in the rev counter indicates which gear is selected, the upshift recommendation in the instrument cluster acts as a guide for the driver assisting with consumption-optimised driving.

Optional equipment: redesigned Doppelkupplungsgetriebe

The extensively redesigned Porsche PDK, available as an option, offers seven gears, gear changes without interruption to the power flow making for faster sprints and lower fuel consumption. The latest generation PDK has been rigorously enhanced for performance but with fuel consumption and comfort characteristics being improved as well. The driver immediately realises that the optimised shift points are significantly quicker in accommodating his wishes. The new Boxster models are tangibly more responsive; even in normal mode they reach higher speeds more quickly, thus providing increased agility. Overtaking is also supported by a PDK function: When the driver presses the accelerator pedal briefly but firmly, the PDK understands that a sprint is imminent and selects the lowest possible gear to ensure the fastest possible overtaking manoeuvre through high acceleration power.

Heavy braking is supported by faster downshifts at higher engine speeds, which are started earlier and are punctuated by intermediate acceleration – accompanied as ever by highly emotional sound. This retains higher revs and thus performance. This provides increased power output coming out of bends, thanks to the optimisation of the shifting programmes, and the significantly reduced shifting times, the latter especially in manual mode as well.

For example – subject to a suitable stretch of road – a controlled drift is possible with Porsche Stability management (PSM) deactivated: detection of the yaw angle and steering wheel angle prevents upshifting thus permitting this very special driving fun. Pressing the sport button, now fitted as standard, provides a further increase in the performance, with regard to both the engine's fuel intake and the shifting strategies of the PDK. In combination with the features relating to the chassis and the engines, the new Boxsters with PDK deliver a completely new driving experience.

This is in no way at the expense of comfort – quite the reverse. The change to more comfortable and more economic engine speeds after a dynamic driving phase is also effected faster. The drive-off behaviour has also been optimised, providing the very highest performance while remaining comfortably relaxed and also extremely agile.

The new Boxster models now offer a sport button, featured as standard, which allows the driver to choose between a sporty setup and a comfortable setup optimised for fuel economy. In sport mode, the electronic engine management system controls the engine with more bite. This makes the engine dynamics even more direct. On vehicles with Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), upshifts take place later and downshifts earlier in automatic mode. Moreover, the start/stop function and the coasting function are deactivated.

by Porsche

by 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 Dan Vaughan