rivals. It's also a tad wider, with a wider rear track. However, the extra
dimensions don't translate as a weight penalty. The basic Boxster scales
in a tad over 2800 pounds, which is a little lighter than its competitors.
Propelling this tidy package is an update on a classic Porsche design--the
opposed or "boxter" six. With their cylinders opposed 180 degrees
to one another, boxter designs offer packaging advantages, because they
lie flat. And because they lie flat, they also help designers keep the
car's center of gravity low.
At a glance, the new engine is classic Porsche, with roots that date
to Ferdinand Porsche's early work in the 1930s. But there's a key contemporary
difference. The Boxster's flat-six is liquid-cooled, eliminating the old
911 cooling fans and lending a distinctly new sound to its power delivery.
As you'd expect of a Porsche, the new engine is mechanically au courant,
with twin overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and variable cam timing.
And as you'd also expect, peak power--201 horsepower from 2.5 liters--is
plentiful, though both the Z3 2.8 and supercharged SLK are a little more
robust in the torque department.
Two transmissions are offered--the standard five-speed manual and Porsche's
Tiptronic automatic, also with five speeds. The Tiptronic offers its operator
the choice of full automatic operation or fingertip pushbutton self-shifting,
similar in concept to a Formula One racing car. It's the best compromise
between stick and automatic on the market, but at $3150 it's also the most
expensive and the manual gearbox provides better performance.
Braking, with oversize vented discs on all four wheels plus Porsche's
latest antilock system, is superb.
Our basic Boxster was equipped with the standard wheel/tire package--P205/55ZR
front, P225/50ZR rear, on handsome 16-inch aluminum wheels. Optional 17-inch
wheels add a bit more grip at the rear of the car, but also add $1450 to
the bottom line.
Other chassis/performance related goodies on the option list include
a $3235 Sport package (17-inch wheel/tire combination, wind deflector,
cruise control, alarm system and in-dash CD player) and a Technic Sport
package (stiffer suspension components, 17-inch wheels and tires, automatic
brake differential and traction control) for $1901.
The traction control system, which includes the automatic brake proportioning
system, is also available as a separate option for $847. Next Page