PORSCHE IS CELEBRATING the 25th birthday of its roadster family with a special anniversary model: the Boxster 25 Years. The limited edition is restricted to 1250 units worldwide and is based on the GTS 4.0 model, which is powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine with 294 kW.
It references numerous design features of the Boxster concept car that heralded the success story of the open-top two-seater at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show. The production version was launched in 1996 with hardly any changes to its appearance and is now in its fourth generation after production of more than 357,000 units.
One of the most striking features of the special model is the reinterpreted colour Neodyme, a copper-like shimmering brown, which provided an exciting contrast to the basic GT Silver Metallic colour on the 1993 showpiece. In the special edition, it is used on the front apron, the side air intakes with mono bar as well as for the lettering and the two-tone 20-inch alloy wheels. Porsche is offering the Boxster 25 Years in GT Silver Metallic although Deep Black Metallic and Carrara White Metallic are also available.
Another striking element can be found on the fuel filler cap, which is enhanced by Porsche script from the Exclusive Design range. This shines in an aluminium look as do the high-gloss tailpipes of the sports exhaust system while the windscreen surround is finished in contrasting Black.
In keeping with the style of the historic original, the special model combines a Bordeaux leather interior with a red fabric convertible top. The convertible top bears embossed Boxster 25 lettering. Both are also available in Black. An interior package in Aluminium, 14-way electrically adjustable sports seats, door sill trims with “Boxster 25″ lettering and the heated GT multifunction sports leather steering wheel are just some of the features on the new model’s extended standard equipment list.
The power plant of the anniversary edition offers pure exhilaration: the 4.0-litre flat-six engine of the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is also used as a higher-power variant in the purist 718 Spyder. With effortless response, exceptional power delivery and a rich sound, the high-revving 294 kW naturally aspirated engine promises an emotive driving experience.
Porsche is offering the Boxster 25 Years with a manual six-speed transmission and a seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK). The special-edition model reaches a top speed of 293km/h and, in combination with the PDK gearbox and standard Sport Chrono package, accelerates from zero to 100km/h in four seconds. Other standard features include Porsche Active Suspension Management sports suspension (PASM), which is 10mm lower, and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical limited-slip differential.
In Australia, the Boxster 25 Years will be equipped with automatic dimming mirrors and rain sensor, seat heating, Lane Change Assist, cruise control, ParkAssist (front and rear) including reversing camera, Porsche Entry & Drive, interior surveillance, 2-zone automatic climate control, Light Design Package, Apple CarPlay and digital radio.
The new Boxster 25 Years is available to order now and is scheduled to arrive in Australia in April 2021. Prices start from $183,900 (plus on road costs). For comparison, the Porsche Boxster 4.0 GTSD is $174,800 (plus on roadsa).
A quarter century of pure driving pleasure: the Boxster family turns 25
The Boxster marked a re-orientation of Porsche’s model strategy and provided a way forward during the difficult economic times of the mid-1990s. This was reflected in the first water-cooled production flat-six engine and also in the intelligent carry-over parts concept that made its debut with the agile mid-engined roadster. This concept was incorporated into the 996 generation 911, which was launched a year later, and made it possible for Porsche to return to profitable production.
The attractively priced two-seater captured the hearts of new, younger customers right from the start. In terms of looks, it incorporated features of the already renowned history of the brand. The visual appearance of the Boxster concept car shown in Detroit evoked images of the legendary 550 Spyder and the 718 RS 60 Spyder racing car. It was received so well in January 1993 that the Porsche Executive Board intervened in the ongoing design development of the production model and ordered, without further ado: “Build the concept car just like that”. As time would tell, it was a wise decision.
When the production model was launched in August 1996, it bore a strong resemblance to the motor show star. Since it shared its front end with the 996 generation 911, there was no question about its lineage. The Boxster was a true Porsche. At the same time, its centrally installed flat-six engine, which initially had a displacement of 2.5 litres and an output of 159kW, was engineered to meet stricter emissions standards thanks to water cooling, four-valve technology and variable intake timing.
An increase in power and further model enhancements followed soon after. The first 986 Boxster generation received a 2.7-litre engine in 1999, initially with 162kW and later with 168kW. The newly launched Boxster S was powered by a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine with 158kW, which soon became 191kW.
The 987 generation followed in 2004 with a refined design, 17-inch wheels and a redesigned interior as well as optional PASM with variable shock absorber characteristics, PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake) ceramic brakes and the Sport Chrono package. With unchanged displacement, the engines delivered 176kW and 206kW respectively. By the end of their production period, engine outputs had reached 188kW from a displacement of 2.9 litres and 228kW from a displacement of 3.4 litres. The PDK gearbox also replaced the previously offered Tiptronic S automatic transmission.
In 2012, Porsche presented the comprehensively restyled and visually sharpened 981 generation Boxster. Thanks to a completely new lightweight body and a fully revamped chassis, the newcomer was more toned, more muscular, more striking and faster than ever before. The all-electric fabric roof did without a convertible top compartment lid, the axle overhangs were even shorter, and the windscreen was moved further forward. The more economical boxer engines came with direct petrol injection and started out as a 2.7 litre six-cylinder engine with 195kW and a 3.4-litre engine with 232kW. In April 2014, the Boxster GTS followed with 243kW. The Boxster Spyder was undoubtedly the highlight, with a 3.8-litre engine that caused a real sensation with 276 kW.
The current 982 generation Porsche 718 Boxster set a new course in January 2016, making its debut with four-cylinder turbo engines and an enhanced design. The 2.0-litre motor delivers 220kW and the 2.5-litre boxer engine 257kW thanks to a variable turbine geometry turbocharger. The Boxster GTS followed shortly after with 269kW.
In mid-2019, the new edition Boxster Spyder climbed to the top of the range. It shares a 309kW 4.0-litre engine with the hard-top sporting flagship model, the 718 Cayman GT4. Since 2020, this six-cylinder mid-engine has also powered the 294kW 718 Boxster GTS 4.0.