What next for the Boxster

juliany27 · Aug 8, 2005

In view of the hype over the Cayman - which I though referred to a small collection of islands more famous for tax advantages, I wonder what Porsche have in store for the Boxster to make it even more attractive to buyers i.e. MY 2006/7.

To start the ball rolling,and to assist Porsche marketers I think that a key-based roof opening system might be a good idea - I am sure that the technology to do away with the manual latch can be inserted into a Boxster. And an iPod compatible radio system?

Over to you for your suggestions...

boothy · Aug 8, 2005

Bluetooth phone prep option
ALL radio/CD versions to play MP3's
Folding hard top a la SLK
A better designed key fob - too easy to press buttons accidentaly

agree about the key fob operated roof

Bigger engine

[

]

Mark_Bennett · Aug 8, 2005

Bigger engine
Less bling

juliany27 · Aug 8, 2005

But won't the bigger engine claim sales from the new Cayman or Carerra?

After all the Boxster is 2.7 and 3.2; Cayman is 3.4 and Carerra is 3.6 and 3.8. Isn't engine size/bhp [other than coupe/open-top] the deciding factor? Or have I missed something in the marketing to date?

Good idea about redesigning the key fob; how often has one opened the front instead of the rear ?

Mark_Bennett · Aug 8, 2005

The key fob is the correct way round on LHD cars [

]

juliany27 · Aug 9, 2005

Less bling and, perhaps a higher 'class' set of fittings on the 987 might be a good idea.

But rather than a bigger engine, would an RS-type Boxster be a good idea - i.e. a stripped out Boxster without air con etc, a la 968 Club Sport? That might avoid arguments over engine size.

Guest · Aug 9, 2005

Porsche are always going on about the Boxster being all about balance so I think the bigger engine is out (cue Porsche's decision to put the 3.4 into the car)
A new set of standard colours would be nice, iPod link-able stereo, fresh wheels or a maybe a Cayman front end face lift

daro911 · Aug 9, 2005

ORIGINAL: renquist

Porsche are always going on about the Boxster being all about balance so I think the bigger engine is out
A new set of standard colours would be nice, iPod link-able stereo, fresh wheels or a maybe a Cayman front end face lift

[8D]OK Bigger engine maybe out but another 20 bhp from current 3.2 shouldn't be too hard to tweak and they could give the extra horses to the torque department so as not to embarrass Cayman or 997 owners. Sports Exhaust option please. New Colours is a great idea having got away with same old for so lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng now. iPod link - able stereo may take as long to come as the standard fitment of a CD player did

Cayman front end or Cayman anything will not happen as Porsche are trying to claim Cayman is a completely stand alone model and NOT a hardtop Boxster.

Remember its going to be evolution not revolution for 987's future development []

lazza · Aug 9, 2005

According to the stuff I got from my OPC the sports exhaust is on the list for MY2006. Around £1000!.

The PCM gets some form of MP3 compatability (bit vague), but not iPod.

The rear seat pocket is deleted, as is the power socket in the passenger footwell (why??[&:])!

There's a new green to replace the rain forest; olive I think - quite similar.

There's a new stainless exhaust pipe option.

That's about it as I recall - no roof options, but I'll check again later.

Lazza

THX911 · Aug 9, 2005

It will now be the Cayman's little brother; that is how it has always worked i.e. tech from 911 have always dropped into Boxster after a couple of years. I expect Boxster to finally get Variocam Plus system and any other improvements brought in the Cayman...

I think Cayman S is a start of some 5-10 year plan for Porsche to bring the rear mounted 911 engine to mid.

juliany27 · Aug 9, 2005

Kish

I think that you might be right. Hope that Porsche GB marketers read this thread.

Incidentally, on Top Gear it was formally announced that James May had indeed ordered a Boxster! Please don't think that I am being over-cynical but I suspect that a major and 'influencial' TV motoring presenter might have got a 'good deal'.

Perhaps this purchase will silence Hammond and Clarkson for a short time.

However, I wonder what 'extras' he added to his car and whether he managed to get a discount.

thboxster · Aug 9, 2005

ORIGINAL: juliany27

However, I wonder what 'extras' he added to his car and whether he managed to get a discount.

Discount? Surely if the press (or us), got wind of something like that in relation to a celeb. there would be national outcry.

Who here got a discount of any notable value?

Mark_Bennett · Aug 9, 2005

ORIGINAL: juliany27

Incidentally, on Top Gear it was formally announced that James May had indeed ordered a Boxster! Please don't think that I am being over-cynical but I suspect that a major and 'influencial' TV motoring presenter might have got a 'good deal'.

Perhaps this purchase will silence Hammond and Clarkson for a short time.

The main cameraman for Top Gear has (or had - it was a while ago that we went) a Boxster. The rest of the crew took great delight in taking the you-know-what over this. It seemed to be some sort of sport.
Hammond was most dismissive of the Boxster when we had a chat (nice PR mate...)
One of Top Gears directors is a Boxster owner, he's has written articles for PP now and again.

The Boxster has "won" a couple of conparisons on the show - and only got beaten recently by an AMG thing with 100BHP more. (Wouldn't it be more fair to compare with a Ruf?)

There is a definte culture of dissing the Boxster on Top Gear. But then again, they are only an entertainment programme.

We hated the "uncool" of the Boxster, but laughed at the "Don't give a damn" of the 3-series. That's entertainment...

Helen Goff · Aug 9, 2005

whats next for the Boxster?

well i always thought it should have a coupe option and have a bigger engine..

hence me swopping my beloved Boxster for a Cayman (still hate that stupid name)

Mark_Bennett · Aug 9, 2005

Cayman de-badge option must be hight on the list [

]

KPNut · Aug 9, 2005

Spot on Mark. It was also interesting when Clarkson showed the Box picture to the audience. The two responses he elicited were both "cool" and you could hear general noises of agreement from the background. JC, knowing a lost cause, made the expected arbitary decision.

As for the thread. I have a 2.7 MY06 about to arrive, so cannot make informed comment.

However when ordering my car I would like to have seen:

A choice of 18 inch rims would also have been great. Although I have added them to my build, I cannot say I actually like them. to look at, but it was a choice of one. The're OK but.......[

]

Bring back the seat back pockets! (Where am I going to store my road atlas and de-icer can?[

])

Remote Key based top opening sounds a great idea, and is a great gimmic the marketeers will love to plug, so could actually be a runner.

I'd like a 6 speed box for both variants (without being forced to take PASM) but the Porsche marketing department will never ever see the logic in that.

Like others, I suspect Variocam Plus to arrive with a small power hike for both versions to keep the performance (just) ahead of the competition, MP3 compatability a must,

I like the secuity offered by a folding tin top but, the extra weight and distribution thereof would probably ruin the cars poise, peformance, and reduce luggage space, so I suspect that's a No No.

I don't have PCM, but Bluetooth has to be essential these days, especially at that price!.

A full 3 year warranty, and a permanent solution to the RMS would also be on my list. More flying porkers!!!

juliany27 · Aug 9, 2005

Now here is a revolutionary thought.

If Porsche GB are really interested in marketing they would/should have noted this thread and the responses/hits. Obviously many people are interested. Wouldn't it be a good idea for someone from Reading [HQ] to contact us and invite us for a chat/lunch, listen to our ideas from the UK market etc.
Time alone will tell if they are really interested - although I would hope that the powers-that-be in PCGB might alert them to our interest/concerns/ideas.

Black80XSA · Aug 9, 2005

ORIGINAL: daro911

ORIGINAL: renquist

Porsche are always going on about the Boxster being all about balance so I think the bigger engine is out
A new set of standard colours would be nice, iPod link-able stereo, fresh wheels or a maybe a Cayman front end face lift

Click to expand...

[8D]OK Bigger engine maybe out but another 20 bhp from current 3.2 shouldn't be too hard to tweak and they could give the extra horses to the torque department so as not to embarrass Cayman or 997 owners. Sports Exhaust option please. New Colours is a great idea having got away with same old for so lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng now. iPod link - able stereo may take as long to come as the standard fitment of a CD player did Cayman front end or Cayman anything will not happen as Porsche are trying to claim Cayman is a completely stand alone model and NOT a hardtop Boxster.

Remember its going to be evolution not revolution for 987's future development []

Indeed - DMS automotive are already claiming over 300bhp from their 987S chip - £600.

Ok you can probably get 320 out of the Cayman for the same money, but you can get Cayman power and a soft-top

BTW, the one 987S test car with the Cayman 3.4 engine is now scrap - spun accelerating down a sliproad last week - RIP

Rodney Naghar · Aug 9, 2005

Juliany27,

I'm sure they have umpteen 'Focus groups' telling them exactly what they need to hear. Probably all saying they want more creature comforts and electronic aids as standard.

juliany27 · Aug 9, 2005

I am sure that you are right about focus groups; but the PCGB seems to be a very specialised and discerning group about which the marketers at Porsche GB should be aware and pay particular attention. The messages have referred not only to creature comforts, but, imo, also to sensible ideas for the future of the model.

Time alone will tell if anyone who has authority in Porsche GB is listening [reading] to the owners of Boxsters who are prepared to take time out to make their views known.