Porsche Boxster PDK 2009 review

Everything important about the Porsche Boxster has been updated to give it more appeal in the market.  And in a world still obsessed with the financial crisis – whether or not we’re over it – that includes the price tag.

The Boxster now rings the cash register at $113,000, and while that’s a sizable figure it’s just $4000 more than the car cost 10 years ago, with an added decade’s development and a whole lot more on offer.

Drivetrain and changes

The new 2.9-litre flat six-cylinder in the Boxster develops 188kW at 6400rpm and 290Nm between 4400-6000rpm --  resulting in a 0-100km/h notch of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 274km/h.  Porsche says the carryover suspension has been tweaked to give more dynamic handling combined with compliance for around town.

Appearance

A new headlight cluster with separate reflectors is the biggest exterior visual clue to the latest Boxster, although there are also slight styling changes to the grilles and exhaust tips.

The interior pretty much sticks with the previous version’s recipe, with the exception of the touchscreen stanav now being standard, and the seven-speed PDK twin-clutch gearbox being an option for about $6000.

Driving

Slide into the cockpit of the Boxster and take in your surroundings.  Leather, big clear tacho, and sitting in the centre of the dashboard a handsome chronometer.  Look again and you’ll realise that the clock sitting up there is no timepiece; it’s a lap timer. Yeah, right.

Foot on brake, turn the key and the 3.8 litre Boxster engine roars into life, then settles to a low gurgling.  Slide the gear-change into Drive, and you’re away.  Every time you use the throttle the car responds, the engine lets you know that it has more to give you.  The changes on the seven-speed PDK gearbox are lightning fast, and the steering is firm and responsive. This is a high performance sports car, yet it is surprisingly easy to drive and comfortable.

Porsche have provided two ‘Sports’ modes for the Boxster as well as a standard mode.  Choose ‘Sports’ by pressing a button on the dash; the suspension stiffens up and the engine will spin to higher revs before each gear change.

What this really means is that you are getting two cars for the price of one.  Press the Sports button at 80kph, and the purr of the engine changes to a growl, as the Boxster shifts from 7th to 6th.  Choose ‘Sports Plus’ at the same speed you’ll get a roar as the PDK selects 4th gear and the message comes in loud and clear: This car just wants to go fast.

Around town the two sports modes are uncomfortable and unforgiving as the stiff suspension on city roads bounces you around, and the high revving engine is just too sensitive to the throttle.

 A few minutes in Sports Plus mode makes you realise that is the wrong setting for a trip down the road to the shops, but that the Boxster would be enormous fun on a track.  That lap timer might just be useful after all!