Automotive

Porsche's new Boxster Spyder is aimed at the purists

View 16 Images
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder has a performance-minded design
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder interior
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder has a fabirc top
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder is designed to appeal to purists
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder top is manually operated
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder takes design cues from earlier Porsches
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder is the lightest Boxster yet
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder deploying roof
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder has two distinct power bulges
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder has a more powerful engine
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder is 20 mm lower
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder has a performance-minded design
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder has a manual gearbox
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder cockpit
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder seating detail
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder is available in July
The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder has as top speed of 180 mph
View gallery - 16 images

Porsche drivers tend to have an aversion to change for change's sake, so when the new Porsche Boxster Spyder made its debut at this year's New York International Auto Show, it was with the purists in mind. The first new version of the mid-engine roadster since the 2012 model, the Boxster promises "traditional sports-car driving experience, but with contemporary performance."

According to Porsche, the convertible two-seater is the lightest and most powerful Boxster in production, with a 20-mm lower ride height and a manually operated fabric roof that echoes of previous generations. Though more streamlined than classic Porsches, the blended headlamps betray their heritage and balance nicely with the door panels feeding into the rear air scoops.

The Boxster makes more obvious homage to Porsches past with a front and rear from the Cayman GT4, and a reach back to the 1960s 718 Spyder in the streamlined bulges extending from the headrests over the boot lid.

The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder deploying roof

Despite being billed as lighter, the new Boxster also has a bit more power wrapped up in its 375 bhp (276 kW), 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine. Keeping with the purist motif, it's hooked to a manual-only gearbox. There's also a sports suspension, direct steering, and the brakes are borrowed from a 911 Carrera.

On the road, Porsche says that the Boxster can do 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in about 4.5 seconds with the top speed pegging at 290 km/h (180 mph). Mileage is 9.9 L/100 km (23 mpg).

The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder cockpit

Inside the Boxster are two light sports bucket seats with large side supports and a 360-mm steering wheel. Sorry, there's no radio or air conditioning, though these are available as no cost optional extras.

The Porsche Boxster Spyder is available in July for €79,945 (US$86,000).

Source: Porsche

View gallery - 16 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
4 comments
The Skud
If the A/C and radio are no-cost options, why not just put them in regardless? If you bought it during a cool spell, then realised yes, you would like A/C, they would probably charge a huge amount to retrofit one!
Quarlsnarg
What it has cup holders (i saw at least one) But no radio or air conditioning? Just what is the world coming to...
Calson
Truly pathetic that with all the engineering talent at Porsche they can only get 23 MPG at best from a lightweight sports car. This puts it on par with the Ford F-150 pickup truck. I guess Porsche is not trying to revisit the past in terms of fuel efficiency with this "new" model.
Make mine a Tesla that provides superior performance and never needs to stop at a gas station.
Miguel Moya
Understanding what this car is for is the first step to understand the whys. It doesn't come standard with AC and radio to save weight, less weight=more speed. Also is intended as a raw driving experience for purists, so less=more. Also, its only available with a 7-speed MANUAL transmission (noPDK, no auto), and only available with Sport suspension. Definitively not a daily driver. And gas mileage on this type of toy is not relevant.