FIRST Drive: Porsche's Lightweight Boxster Spyder, "Potentially The Finest Porsche You Can Buy"

It’s an otherwise humble Porsche Boxster that’s been given a full-blown performance makeover that’s turned it into a bit of a 911-eater. Meet the new range-topping Boxster, the Spyder.

Porsche has bolted into this car the 315bhp flat six from the current Cayman S; that means it’s got an extra 10bhp and 10lb ft over an ‘S’.

Porsche’s also done a wholesale overhaul of the Boxster S’ chassis; the Spyder’s got stiffer fixed-rate dampers, shorter and stiffer springs, stiffer anti-roll bars and runs more negative wheel camber. And most importantly, by fitting various aluminium body panels, a lighter roof, lighter bucket seats, a smaller fuel tank, a lighter battery, and by stripping out the interior, Porsche has taken 80kg off the Boxster S’ kerbweight for this car....


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Hantra - 12/4/2009 11:29:04 AM

-2 Boost

911 eater. . . Hmm. . .5.1 to 60 is not 911 eating territory.

Agent63 - 12/4/2009 11:29:29 AM

+6 Boost

It could very well be better than a base 911. The numbers are very similar as well. I like the Spyder PDK though. It's the best Boxster to date in my opinion. People can bash the 'poor man's porsche' all they want but as far as I am concerned it's probably very good and very fun to drive. The Boxster never lacked the ability to carve out a corner but just lacked the horsepower to go quick in a straight line. More power and lighter weight can only improve that formula. This would be the only variant of the Boxster I would buy if I was thinking about one in this range.

Agent63 - 12/4/2009 1:00:08 PM

+7 Boost

If you're going to deboost me at least write something!. You hating because I gave a "boxster" a compliment?

investor27 - 12/4/2009 8:30:59 PM

+3 Boost

I am in complete agreement with you this time, Agent63. Well written.

BozzorTheGreat - 12/7/2009 3:45:05 AM

+1 Boost

I have to admit, Porsche once agains shows you don't need insane hp to build a true sports car. But more so, it shows the true advantages of light weight. If Porsche can just add the 3.8 here, throw in some more carbon fibre, keep weight down to under 1,300 kgs...DROOL!

t_bone - 12/7/2009 3:51:08 PM

+1 Boost

This is great...brings back the weight to the original 986...but with 115 more HP! I remember lusting after the RUF 3400S, and this is even more potent straight from Porsche.

The only thing is...wouldn't be fun if they made a TURBO Boxster!