Though I am sure some of you may flame me for this, probably one of the coolest Porsches ever built was the original Boxster Spyder. If you had the pleasure of driving one of those equipped with a manual, you know how close you can get to heaven on Earth.
As predicted and seen in some of the latest spy shots, the German sports car manufacturer will follow up the Cayman GT4 with an all-new Boxster Spyder.
New York Auto Show
This is brilliant news, if I am honest.
Equipped with a 3.8-liter six-cylinder producing 375 horsepower, it will ONLY come optioned with a manual transmission. Oh, and the funny hat? According to the press release it is "partially manual." No word on what that means yet. I am sure we'll see later today when the car is properly unveiled and we can play with it in person.
If you missed out on a 911 GT3 and Cayman GT4, guess what? This is the next best thing except its a lot more fun as you can put the top down. Let the dealer mark ups begin!
Stay tuned to AutoSpies.com for the latest breaking news from the 2015 New York Auto Show!
The 2015 New York Auto Show Photo Galleries are sponsored by Lexus.
New York Auto Show
Porsche's press release follows:
New York International Auto Show 2015: world premiere of the Boxster Spyder
Stuttgart. Porsche is beginning the 2015 convertible season by celebrating the world premiere of the new Boxster Spyder. This purist sports car will make its debut at the New York International Auto Show. The new top model in the open two-seater series retains the independent character of the previous Spyder, which has already attained cult status. For example, the classic fabric roof is still opened and closed by hand, and the sports car is only available with a manual transmission.
As a true original roadster, the Boxster Spyder offers a traditional sports-car driving experience but with contemporary performance. This means a firm sports suspension with a 20-mm lower ride height, brakes taken from the 911 Carrera, more direct steering, and a 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine with an output of 375 hp (276 kW). Drivers and passengers can thus look forward to a genuine sports-car experience with outstanding driving dynamics in the lightest yet most powerful Boxster there is. It only takes around 4.5 seconds for the Boxster Spyder to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h; the model’s top speed is 290 km/h. NEDC overall fuel consumption amounts to 9.9 l/100 km.
The distinctive design of the Boxster Spyder includes stylistic elements that recall the legendary sports and race cars from Porsche. For example, as a tribute to the 718 Spyder from the 1960s, the new Boxster Spyder has two prominent streamlined bulges that extend down along the long rear lid behind the headrests. The partially manually operated, lightweight top is suitable for everyday use and brings to mind roadsters from the past, while the fins that stretch back to the rear lend the vehicle’s silhouette its characteristic design. The front and rear end of the model were taken from the Cayman GT4.
More so than in any other Boxster, the interior of the new top model creates an atmosphere that elicits a feeling of pure driving pleasure. The driver and passenger sit in light sports bucket seats with large side supports, while the new steering wheel with a diameter of 360 mm helps ensure the mid-engine roadster can be driven precisely and with great agility.
In line with the model’s purist design neither a radio nor an air conditioner is included as standard equipment in order to reduce weight. However, both can be ordered ex-factory as optional equipment at no extra cost. In addition, the entire range of Boxster audio systems is available for customers to choose from as an option. The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with all of its special features can also be ordered as optional equipment, for example.
The new Boxster Spyder will be launched on the market in July and can already be ordered at dealerships. Prices in Germany start at 79,945 Euro(including sales tax and country-specific equipment features).
Porsche Boxster Spyder: fuel consumption urban 14.2 l/100 km; extra-urban 7.5 l/100 km; combined 9.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 230 g/km; efficiency class (Germany): G