DESCRIPTION

Pros:

• Superb handling and excellent steering feel
• Power to weight ratio of a true sports car
• Top-notch gearboxes
• High quality interior
• Lots of available options and packages

Cons:

• Beware of sticker shock after adding options to base price
• Headroom not friendly to taller occupants with the top up
• Road noise may too intrusive to some
• Must learn to travel very light

This year the Porsche Boxster celebrates its 15 year anniversary. Developed on a mid-engine concept, the Boxster and Cayman have sold over 300,000 units since production began in June 1996.

The model range currently comprises the four open-topped variants, the Boxster, Boxster S, Boxster S Black Edition and Boxster Spyder.The engine variants for the two model lines range between 255 hp and 330 hp thanks to Porsche Intelligent Performance fuel consumption is rated as high as 29 mpg highway.

For the 2011 model year, the Boxster, the Boxster S, now offer more standard features at the same MSRPs as last year and offer popular equipment packages (Convenience Package, Infotainment Package, Design Package, and Design Sport Package). Also new for 2011 are fresh metallic color options: Platinum Silver Metallic, Ruby Red and Amethyst Metallic.

2011 Porsche Boxster
The 2011 Porsche Boxster’s 2.9-liter ‘basic’ power plant develops 255 horsepower at 7200 rpm, and delivers a wide torque curve of 214 lb-ft from 4400 to 6000 rpm. Coupled to this engine is the Boxster’s standard six-speed manual gearbox that allows it to accelerate to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds, while the same car fitted with the Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) gearbox covers this distance in 5.3 seconds (with Sport Chrono Plus). EPA figures are 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway with a manual gearbox and 20 city/29 highway with the optional PDK gearbox.

2011 Porsche Boxster S
The 3.4-liter engine in the Boxster S, benefits from the proven Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) technology, delivering 310 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 266 lb-ft at 4750 rpm. The Boxster S fitted with the standard six-speed manual accelerates to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds, while the same car with PDK and activated Launch Control in the optional Sports Chrono Package covers the distance in just 4.7 seconds. EPA figures are 19 city/26 highway and 20 city/29 highway for the Boxster S with a manual and PDK gearbox, respectively.

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine with Direct Fuel Injection in front of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 horsepower (hp), 10 hp more than the Boxster S.

When equipped with PDK transmission and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.6