2007 Porsche Boxster S

The year was 1996…Porsche had just introduced their smallest but soon to be big new asset, the Boxster. A 911-shaped roadster with a mid-mounted pancake engine at a semi-affordable price. Now ten years later, the second generation Boxster is more spry than ever. And for 2007, added power seals the gap with the Cayman Coupe. It’s a power injection that makes the Boxster feel new all over again.

Long one of MotorWeek favorite sports cars, for 2007, Porsche’s Boxster gets more of what every sports car fan always wants; a little more power!  Both the standard Boxster and the more potent Boxster S get upgraded engines that include the addition of Porsche’s Variocam Plus variable valve timing and lift feature.

For the Boxster’s 2.7-liter dual-cam flat-six, that means a modest 5-horsepower boost, for a total of 245. Torque increases slightly to 201 pound-feet, but it peaks at a lower 4,600 rpm for improved mid-range response. 

The Boxster S now boasts the larger 3.4-liter flat-six used by the Cayman S, with peak output of 295-horsepower, or 15 more than before. Torque is also up 15 pound-feet, to 251 at only 4,400 rpm.

Gearing includes 5 and 6-speed manuals and an upgraded 5-speed Tiptronic “S” automatic with manual mode. The Tiptronic has new, more responsive electronics and hydraulics. Plus, when engaged with the Sports Chrono option, allows variable and more aggressive shift patterns with all gear changes occurring above 3000 rpm.

All this technology is equipped at spinning the wheels, now equipped with tire pressure monitoring, as fast as possible. And for 2007, those wheels are standard 18-inch alloys, or optional 19-inch units. 

When we spun up the 18-inchers on a Boxster S 6-speed manual at our cold and windy test track, we were not able to beat 5.1 seconds, the time we recorded in our 2005 test. Under better condition we know the Boxster S can do a few tenths better and approach the pace of the slightly lighter Cayman S.

While traction was in short supply, engine performance was sharper than ever. With the Sport Chrono on line, throttle response was explosive with an exhaust note that makes most sports cars sound like minivans.

In all modes, power builds in a strong, linear fashion, and the short throw manual shifter is light and sharp.  But it’s not just about power. Boxster engines are also low-emissions compliant in all 50 states, and the Boxster S boasts improved gas mileage. Government Fuel Economy ratings for the 3.4 Boxster S are 20 city/28 highway with a manual, and 20 city/27 highway with the automatic. 

Boxster handling remains as before - precise and predictable with little tendency to oversteer. The variable-ratio steering is very quick, well balanced, and with plenty of feedback.

With the optional Porsche Active Suspension Management switched to Sport, the suspension is noticeably stiffer, almost totally eliminating body roll.

The super-stiff Sport mode is not recommended for bumpy roads, but switch back to normal mode, and both Boxsters deliver the civilized sports car feel that Porsches are famous for. 

They’re famous for braking as well, especially the S. It hammers down from 60 to 0 in an average of 127 feet, even on our cold track, thanks to large cross-drilled discs. Ceramic composite discs are optional on the S.

But while mechanical changes are notable, Porsche designers have wisely left the Boxster’s classic Porsche lines alone.  It remains one of the most distinctive sports cars on the road, instantly identifiable from any angle, as is the interior, which also exudes a uniquely Porsche style.  It’s very driver oriented, especially in the 3-bezel gauge cluster with its big central tachometer. The only part that lacks true Teutonic efficiency is the center dash with its small and busy control layout.

Safety is obviously important to those clever German designers, as the Boxster illustrates with front, side, and unique door-mounted head curtain airbags. And of course we couldn’t mention one of our favorite roadsters without noting the easy to use power soft-top, or the excellent aerodynamics that produce minimal wind buffeting, even at interstate speeds.

One change no car fan wants to see is a price increase, and Porsche has kept the Boxster’s down to about $600. Prices now start at about $46,395 for the Boxster and $56,295 for the Boxster S.

The Boxster concept may ten years old, but with constant upgrades in chassis, power and ever sharper handling, it has never aged. Indeed, the 2007 Porsche Boxster is more popular than ever with us and many thousands of other sports car fans as well.