Menu toggle

Boxster 981 Unmasked At Last

daro911

PCGB Member
Member
New Porsche Boxster revealed

The new Porsche Boxster has hit the road, and autoexpress.co.uk has the clearest pictures yet.

As our images show, every body panel is new and it now has a bolder, more dramatic profile. At the rear, there are new LED equipped brake lights that wrap around the tail.

According to sources close to the project, the cabin gets inspiration from the new 911 - meaning clearer instruments and a boost in quality.

There are also bigger roll over hoops, and a more steeply raked windscreen - helping exaggerate this car's "roadster" status.

Codenamed 981, the model we have spied is a sporty Boxster 'S', which gets huge 18-inch alloy wheels as standard - plus flared wheel arches, a more shapely body and deeper intakes to feed cool air to the rear mounted engine.

Under the skin, there's an all new platform, which is derived from the forthcoming 911 - codenamed 991 and due for launch in November. Drivers can also expect new suspension, a wider track and a longer wheelbase.

Insiders have told Auto Express the Boxster S' direct injection 3.4-litre flat six will be carried over to the new line-up but gets stop and start technology and new tuning to meet tougher emissions regulations.

However, time is being called on the old, 255bhp 2.9-litre six-cylinder engine. It will be replaced by a smaller turbocharged flat four-cylinder engine which produces around 270bhp but, crucially, less emissions.

Porsche is working hard to cut its carbon dioxide emissions so the Boxster will be lighter than the car it replaces thanks to the use of more aluminium. But the biggest change is likely to come with the engines.

Emphasis will also be placed on the firm's seven-speed PDK gearbox which allows faster shifts than a manual, but also contributes to better fuel economy because of the better spread of ratios.

Originally tipped to appear at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, it's thought the car will now make its debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2012, before going on sale in spring.



Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/273709/new_porsche_boxster_revealed.html#ixzz1ZzYCodsD


3D3544E64CA4419E9212844C24F02235.jpg
 
i can't help thinking toyota......it must be the side intakes, bit too OTT in my opinion but nearer the GT which i guess is where it needs to be.
not a great photo perhaps. i want to like it but.....
 

ORIGINAL: London987

i can't help thinking toyota......it must be the side intakes, bit too OTT in my opinion but nearer the GT which i guess is where it needs to be.
not a great photo perhaps. i want to like it but.....


How about this shot

BE083C8FBA744816B1598FFF3B8D1F03.jpg
 
A pity they show it in silver, exactly the same colour as majority of MX5's and MR2's so it gives that image.

I'm sure if we saw it in a better colour not commonly used on them such as white I'm sure we would evaluate the shape better
 


I would like to think that it is sufficiently distinct from ye olde MR2 that the two are unlikely to be confused in real life? I like it.

D931248EE3AB4E65BA783E7B6516B150.jpg
 

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock



I would like to think that it is sufficiently distinct from ye olde MR2 that the two are unlikely to be confused in real life? I like it.

D931248EE3AB4E65BA783E7B6516B150.jpg

Couldn't agree more I think by Porsche design teams past standards this is a substantial leap forward and in the right direction too

Subject to seeing and touching one it has my seal of approval [:D]

Now the BIG question will there eventually be another "Spyder" version and if so when


01BDDF848DB84930B9D6DEBFEB8DAE09.jpg
 
Love the look, apart from the door mirrors whick look very similar to the ones i had on my MX5 years ago and what is the spoiler doing across the rear lights.
Hope that is rectified before it is launched.

Tracy
Boxster RS
 
The lower strake line rising to the intake follows styling from the Cayman and the upper does lead nicely to the top of the intake, the door mirrors are like to 968 Cup mirrors which most people liked and were a major improvement over the mirrors of the 944, so no complaints on either styling feature.

Like Cliff I'm not sure of the spoiler crossing the lights but does the centre section rise?

Looking forward to seeing the interior, after all that is the area we all like to spend our time and if it is styled as the 991 should be a fine office but will it have an oil pressure gauge this time?[8|]

One concern on the new range of Porsches, the 991 is said to be 100mm wider than the 997, for those of us with single width garages it will make things tricky regarding entry and egress inside the garage, and as Mark says it looks huge. I'm unsure of just where the 991 is wider it may make little difference if say it's at the doors and the mirrors are no wider than the 997.
 
ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

I like the spoiler crossing the lights [:D]

I'm with Mark re the spoiler

Actually all in all .. I really like it aggressive and new looking as well .. .. Think the designers have done a great job... Love the Rear Seat, Roll bar area

"slightly" worried re it being "BIGGER" The Boxster is all about small(ish) and nimble .. 911 is all about being 25 + years old, based on a bad design that Porsche never let go and took 25 + years to fix [:D]

Lets think back to

5931504286_56e667039a_b.jpg
 
In general I do like it and know it will be a great driver's car but as with all cars it has grown from the original scale and for that reason I'm looking forward to the rumoured Baby Boxster and hope that gets back to the Boxster roots with more power, better running costs, emissions and fuel consumption and hopefully all the goodies we have seen coming in since the original, an opportunity for Porsche to do a less is more take on the sportscar.
 
i don't like or hate it. for me i think it looks pretty good though.

with the 986, i liked that when i first saw one, the 987 i actually thought wow....although it isn't that far off the 986 it was bulged out and beefed up ever so slightly to improve (to me) the original shape.

for me the 981 is a little bit like bmw....i liked all their designs from about 1995 until about 2003/4, the current crop i see are nice but again not for me. this one is too mr2, and not far away enough from the 987 - looks like they messed with the middle bit, forgot the rest, and it looks a bit wrong. however i always prefer cars as straight as possible, an example is when i got an esprit s3 rather than a turbo, it got too fussy.

i would like to see it in the metal though, then decide!

 
I love it !!

Nice to see more of an adventurous styling change than we are getting with the 991.
 
ORIGINAL: Oggy

I love it !!

Nice to see more of an adventurous styling change than we are getting with the 991.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/porsche-/new-boxster-caught-undisguised/259472/pictures/new-boxster-caught-undisguised.aspx

The all-new third-generation Porsche Boxster has been spied completely undisguised on a marketing shoot in the US a full five months ahead of its planned public debut.

The pictures reveal a much greater styling leap than had been expected for Porsche's mid-engined roadster, which will be revealed at the Geneva motor show next March and hit UK showrooms in June.

The new Boxster, spied here in its sportier Boxster S guise, gets all-new, predominately aluminium bodywork and a new lightweight fabric roof. The doors feature deep, heavily sculpted air intakes, while the front-end gets sharper headlights and a treatment for the grille similar to that seen on the new 911. More pronounced arches feature at the rear alongside new LED lights and a muscular rear bumper.

Sitting on a new architecture that mixes steel and aluminium and includes a front-end shared with the new 911, the latest Boxster will grow in size over its predecessor to make space in the Porsche range for a smaller, entry-level mid-engined roadster called 550 Spyder. But despite its increased dimensions, the new Boxster will be lighter than the car it replaces.

Porsche insiders have also indicated it will have a 50:50 weight distribution and the rigidity of the structure has been majorly increased. The results, our insiders claim, is a much more mature car to drive than before.

Insiders have also confirmed that the Boxster will mirror the new 911 in adopting electric steering for the first time.

The engine line-up will mirror today's car in offering a 2.9-litre and 3.4-litre flat-six units, with improved power and performance, as well as better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. Gearbox options will include a six-speed manual and seven-speed PDK.

A modular 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine under development for the 550 Spyder could also find its way into the new Boxster and its Cayman sibling, which is due in 2013.
 
A couple of things I find a little strange is that Porsche would allow this picture to get out so soon before launch when they managed to keep the 991 well disguised until the launch was imminent. Perhaps the spy photographer is very good. Also, if this was on a marketing shoot, I assume that means that Porsche was shooting material to be published. If so, would a new Boxster really launch with 991 Carrera Classic wheels? Surely there'd be a new 'Boxster' wheel design for launch?
 
ORIGINAL: flat6

if this was on a marketing shoot, I assume that means that Porsche was shooting material to be published. If so, would a new Boxster really launch with 991 Carrera Classic wheels? Surely there'd be a new 'Boxster' wheel design for launch?

Probably on the "option" list unless this is a 19" version standard kit on the new more expensive than ever Boxster S [:D]

All we be revealed in good time but must agree this is a very early leak and won't help shift the current stock pile of the out going 987 now one can see the new direction the model has taken
 
Ever since the disastrous reaction to the 1st Cayenne (which had been kept out of the reach of the spy camera until the day before the launch date) Porsche seem to be "accidentally" allowing spy shots to be captured earlier and earlier,

I guess it is to give potential purchasers the chance to get used to the design over a long period before it actually hits the showroom.
 
Just a note re the mirrors - the 968 teardrop ones my look good but are a lot less use than the old 944 flags!
 
Mike I disagree, the flags not only blocked more of the forward view but also suffered more from paint chipping.

Most people find the cup mirrors both more effective as mirrors and better looking they also don't chip so easily, I'd guess they deflect rather than taking some many direct impacts.
 

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Back
Top