Porsche’s new Boxster (2012): a new style for the 981

An artist’s impressions show precisely how the next year’s Boxster will look like.

The Boxster and the 911 have so many similarities that it’s very difficult to tell them apart, but that’s about to change from 2013 because Porsche decided to spread its models over a much wider range of the market. Now, Porsche will go on differentiation, not standardization and simplification.

Porsche 981: a new look for the new 2012 Boxster

Because the replacements for the new Boxster were made under the old regime, it will still loke like the new 911, but keep in mind that every model has a life span of two times seven years, so the new look will be with us for a while.

The new side strakes are more pronounced now, but the front-end view is very conservatively evolved from today’s look. The horizontal styling theme at the back of the model is a lot different from before, so those who say that Porsche plays it safe will be delighted.

Rumors say the Volkswagen wanted a more different look, so there won’t be models with the same look in its own range. The 981 will be revealed at a spring motor show in 2012, in Detroit or Geneva.

Porsche Boxster

Engineering of the new Porsche Boxster 981

The Boxster 981 is not just a facelift, but an all-new vehicle, with a cab-forward design that looks different, and also the footprint which has changed a lot, the wheelbase was increased with 60mm, the length with 37mm, the height with 10mm and the front overhang is decreased with 25mm. The legroom is extended by 18mm due to the extended wheelbase. These changes made it look crispier and more sportive.

The new model may be bigger and better equipped, but its weight is reduced to 1320kg and 1340kg for the Boxster S.

The 981 is differentiated from the 911 because of its tailormade lights, bespoke doors, restyled 18’’ (19’’ for the Boxster S), jazzier front and rear ends, a more steeply raked windscreen and the characteristic rear side panels which incorporate big air intakes.

Porsche Boxster

A more efficient Boxster

It has a more efficient engine, lighter weight, new features such as Start-Stop, honed aerodynamics, recuperation, extensive thermo-management and electrically assisted power-steering that adds up to 18% drop in consumption.

However, the most interesting options are the Burmester sound system, radar-based cruise control (AAC), torque vectoring (ACC), keyless access and start (Entry & Drive) and adaptive suspension management (PASM) which extends to the steering and the dual-clutch transmission.

Porsche Boxster (981): the engines

The 2.7-liter flat six develops 265 bhp and 2071 lb-ft, while the new 3.4-liter Boxster S version has an output of 315bhp and 2661 lb-ft. With PDK, the lesser models will accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 5.7 seconds, and the Boxster S in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 171mph which is the same as before.

In 2015, after the first round of engineering modifications and appearance changes will take place, Porsche will introduce a new four-cylinder boxer engine according to some rumors. Also, the Boxster/Cayman will have a 2.5-liter twin-turbo version which comes in various performance stages and will have an maximum output of 360bhp and 3471 lb-ft.