Interesting Rumors About The Boxster and Porsche
Could they be true?
Some interesting food for thought, on the future of the Boxster and the state of affairs at Porsche.
Our question is...Is it real or is it memorex?
Please email us your opinion at rumors@autospies.com
Hi,
Here is some information for you. I consult for a number of companies supplying systems to European car manufacturers and I also meet up with others for a gossip at various Formula 1 meetings in the EU. I have more news on Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lotus, Lamborghini, Mercedes, Porsche and TVR if you are interested. If you want to use this, attach my name to it - they can only fire me once!!!
My point in this case is detailed below;
Expect the replacement Boxster (2004/2005) to be a bit of a fudge and disappointment.
According to my sources at Porsche’s production facility in Stuttgart, Germany - engineers are still in a quandary regarding the final specification of the up-and-coming Boxster replacement even though it is due to make an appearance sometime in 2004. Concern is rampant within the Porsche bean counting department because certain customers (in England for example) are buying the cheaper but equally capable 3.2-litre Boxster instead of the far more expensive 911 (read996) Cabriolet - effectively because it’s £30,000($48,000 US) cheaper. In an attempt to resolve this problem, Porsche have tried to distance the Boxster from the 911 in terms of performance, looks, perceived quality and exclusivity, a task that is currently in progress with the 2004 Boxster and 2005 997 (OK 911 if you like) revamps. Although a large amount of the running-gear will be shared between the cars, just as it is today, the two will begin to develop their own identities over time.
Porsche’s simplistic way of dealing with the lack of 911 sales was to hold back on the Boxster engine development during the recent revamp in an attempt to keep the 911 as the superior, faster model and hence more desirable. At the same time, in one-off customer conversions, a couple of Porsche specialists in Germany inserted the latest 320 hp 3.6-litre 996 motor into a Boxster and had it running sub 5-second 0-100 km/h times, which is smack, bang in Carrera-4 territory. It has not been officially confirmed, but this exercise may have hampered the progress of the Boxster, because anyone who knows the car is well aware that it’s almost impossible to drive badly and possess exceptional balance & control. These are all attributes that can easily deal with MORE POWER - but it is likely that only small increases will manifest themselves in 2004, as 911 performance increases will be equally slight, thus preventing any eroding of the distance between models.
Instead we will get a tuned and possibly slightly enlarged 2.8-litre unit, probably uprated to 240 hp, attached to a six-speed gearbox, and more than likely the somewhat elderly 3.4-litre block from the earlier 996’s developing around 280 hp, again attached to a six-speed manual, semiautomatic or even the rumoured tiptronic replacement. Ironically, despite trying to distance themselves from the current 911, Porsche will be offering a short-wheel-base coupe with both engine options - though strictly a two-seater. The convertible will remain, but the old “Club Sport” or RS names may well return in the shape of a baby GT3, ie, a stripped out 2.8-litre Boxster coupe, offering the semblance of a rapid but affordable Audi TT rival. There are however no plans to turbo charge any of the Boxster's engines. The only light on the horizon is Porsches desire to make the small car more like the original ‘94 concept, which will delight a lot of people who baulked at the Germans reluctance to “go all the way” when the Boxster was unveiled in 1996.
Expect the convertible to appear in Summer/Autumn 04, followed by the coupe and possibly the Club Sport /RS in Spring 05.
Porsche need to be very careful because there is a wealth of new cars already here and on the horizon that are equally as capable as the Boxster and far cheaper. In outright performance terms Lotus Elise will embarrass a 3.2 in all but top speed and it’s £10K cheaper. The only good news that Boxster owners can look forward to is vastly improved cabin quality, taking styling and construction hints from the Cheyenne. If Porsche assumes their owners are buying the badge, they have no problem - however, if they are trying to attract “drivers” then they may be about to “step on their Johnson's” (An American term I love-We love it too!).
Sincerely,
008
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