Porsche’s all-new Boxster is shaping up! Beneath its ever-shrinking disguise, the secrets of next year’s two-seater cabrio are beginning to emerge.
The styling is a logical evolution of the current model, but more aggressively contoured bumpers with angular air vents give the car, codenamed 981, a more masculine look. At the side, the vents for the engine are smaller and neater, while at the rear, the LED lights draw inspiration from the Panamera.
The Panamera’s influence is felt inside too, where logically laid-out, quality switchgear dominates the cabin. Porsche has elected to add high-tech features and quality trim materials from the larger saloon as the firm moves the Boxster upmarket, clearing space in the range for a new entry-level model which we expect to see in 2013. As a result, the new Boxster grows slightly, giving extra room for passengers and their luggage.
The newcomer gets the option of the latest Porsche PASM dampers, and shares the front suspension and steering with the next 911 to save money. Despite moving the car upmarket, Porsche has also worked hard to reduce the new car’s weight, as shown by the downsized brake discs on this test car.
When it arrives in early 2012, the new Boxster is likely to be powered by a cleaned-up but similar engine line-up to now, with a 2.9-litre flat-six in the standard car and a direct injection 3.4-litre flat-six in the Boxster S. However, the firm is also working on a 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four which will offer both impressive performance and economy.
