| 777 | Date: Thursday, 28 Oct 2010, 14.58 | Message # 1 |
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User ID: 777
Joined: 18 Oct 2010
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| The Porsche Boxster and Boxster S are simply spectacular cars. Unfortunately for Porsche, they are often dismissed as nothing more than cute little "chick cars.” This is a problem for the “No Substitute” automaker, since much of the market for $60,000 sports cars is made of middle-aged men tragically trying to recapture their youth. (Sorry fellas, but it’s true.) The all-new Boxster Spyder, however, is different. It ain’t no chick car; this drop-top has cojones. It took just 15 miles in the saddle for us to become smitten with this beautiful machine, and an additional 485 to fall madly in love with it.
In the sports car world, creating a machine that is balanced and lightweight is essential. A car that has a perfect weight balance front and rear will respond more predictably than one that does not, allowing the driver to put the vehicle exactly where he wants it in a turn. And lighter weight translates into quicker reaction times, higher speeds and better handling.
When developing the Boxster Spyder, Porsche engineers had a great starting point. That’s because the Boxster’s midengine design gives it better balance than even Porsche’s flagship sports car, the 911. Weight was reduced by stripping the car of pretty much all amenities. Instead of piling on the equipment, some of which can actually separate you from the driving experience, Porsche engineers and product planners intentionally deleted things in an effort to reduce driving to its essentials. Yes, the Spyder sits at the top of the Boxster lineup, but there is no radio, no air conditioner, and door pulls are reduced to cloth straps. Those of you expecting a posh optionmobile for $61,200 will be sadly disappointed: This is a purist’s car, for sure.
However, the Boxster Spyder can be optioned out the whazoo. The one we drove was equipped with air conditioning and an audio system with CD player, auxiliary input and Bluetooth phone integration. Cruise control was also part of the options list.
To shave a few pounds, Porsche also tossed aside the power-retractable convertible top in favor of a cloth top. Unfortunately, it offers about as much protection from the elements as an old-school tonneau cover.
We were lucky to test the Spyder on roads in and around Portland, Maine. While the climate isn’t exactly ideal for the roadster during the winter, it was perfect for our late August adventure. There was almost no traffic, which let us really open it up, and the asphalt was pristine. We were lucky enough to tackle a number of well-paved straightaways, off-camber twists and turns, and steep climbs.
Mechanically, the Spyder gets the Cayman S’s direct-injected, 3.4-liter flat-six engine with 320 horsepower -- that's 10 more horses than a normal Boxster S. The power is made all the more usable with a standard limited-slip differential. It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, which is spectacular, and Porsche’s well-liked 7-speed PDK automated manual is available as an option.
Power was never an issue during our 4-day test drive, regardless of whether we were merging onto fast-moving highways or barreling down winding country roads. The manufacturer claims the 6-speed manual will sprint from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds; while that’s not much faster than the Boxster S (it's quicker by 0.1 second), it certainly feels quicker.
Improvements in handling, however, are far more pronounced. The Spyder is set 0.8 inch lower than the S, and you sit lower to the ground when you slip behind the wheel. The springs are shorter and stiffer and the dampers set harder, so the Spyder's suspension feels slightly sportier but without being overly harsh. The ride is bumpy, but certainly comfortable enough for daily commuting.
The Spyder really showed its mettle on Maine’s twisty, off-camber country roads. It felt strong and capable in all of the demanding situations our test drives put it through. Bottom line, the Boxster Spyder rewards drivers with effortless steering, a wonderful manual gearbox, precise braking and an astonishingly satisfying ride. In fact, we think you’d be hard-pressed to find a more satisfying open sports car experience anywhere.
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