2008 L.A. Auto Show: 2009 Porsche Boxster
- Competes with: Audi TT, BMW Z4, Chevrolet Corvette convertible, Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
- Looks like: A 2008 Boxster with some tweaks to the headlights, taillights and side marker lights
- Drivetrain: 255-hp, 2.9-liter six-cylinder or 310-hp, 3.4-liter six-cylinder with six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual
- Hits dealerships: March 2009
Porsche's more-affordable midengine roadster, the Boxster, and its coupe counterpart, the Cayman, have been upgraded for 2009 with more power, better mileage, revised suspensions and upgraded interiors. The styling has also been tweaked, with an emphasis on the lights — headlights, taillights and side marker lights.
There are also some subtle front-end changes to distinguish the coupe and roadster more. The Cayman has round fog lights and a larger grille opening. The Boxster has rectangular fog lights. Both cars now incorporate their turn signals into the halogen headlight clusters, and LED taillights are standard. An option package includes bi-xenon headlights, cornering lights and LED daytime running lights.
The base Boxster's horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine has grown from 2.7 to 2.9 liters and from 245 to 255 hp. The 3.4-liter in the Boxster S now generates 310 hp, up from 303 hp. Despite the higher output, Porsche says the Boxster's mileage has improved. When a car's power and efficiency both increase, it usually means one thing: direct injection, and that's the technology that's been added. It's aided by a new seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, called Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), which improves efficiency over the conventional Tiptronic S it replaces. It offers an automatic mode as well as manual shifting using a lever or steering-wheel buttons — push forward to upshift, pull back to downshift. Porsche says PDK also improves 0-60 mph times over the manual: 5.2 seconds for the Boxster S. The manual base Boxster is claimed to hit 60 mph in less than 5.8 seconds.
The Boxster also got suspension refinement and larger brakes that required the base model's 17-inch front wheels to be 1/2-inch wider. These and the Boxster S' standard 18-inch wheels are new designs across the board. A limited-slip differential is optional to supplement the brake-based traction control.
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I hope none of the wall street bailout money goes to buying these overpriced beetles. At least require investment bankers to buy Corvettes, Challengers or Mustangs.