LA debut for revamped Boxster and Cayman

Porsche recently rolled out a revamped 911 line-up, and now it's the turn of the Boxster and Cayman to receive clean-running direct-injection engines (in range-topping 'S' form) and the company's new PDK dual-clutch sequential gearbox.

Debuting at the Los Angeles motor show, which starts this Friday (November 21), the new Boxster and Cayman are touted as being more potent and frugal than their forerunners, and the nose and tail have also been freshened up to complement the tech upgrades.

The new base-model Boxster scores a 2.9-litre flat-six that pumps out 188kW -- an increase of 8kW over the prior 2.7-litre model -- while the 3.4-litre power unit in the Boxster S now features direct injection and delivers 228kW, up by 11kW.

Unsurprisingly, this translates to quicker 0-100km/h splits for both models. The six-speed manual Boxster knocks off the increment in a claimed 5.9sec, while the Boxster S, when fitted with PDK transmission and Launch Control (featured in the optional Sports Chrono Package Plus), accomplishes the feat in 5.0 seconds.

Fuel economy has benefited accordingly, as the PDK-equipped Boxster returns an overall consumption figure of 9.1 litres/100km -- claimed to be 10 per cent better than the previous model with the Tiptronic S auto.

The Boxster S is an even bigger beneficiary, as its overall consumption figure of 9.4 litres/100km is claimed to be 15 per cent more parsimonious than the current model with the Tiptronic auto.

Meanwhile, the Cayman has slightly higher-output versions of the new engines (vis-à-vis the Boxster), with the base model gaining a 2.9-litre flat-six with 195kW -- an increase of 15kW over the outgoing model. Further upscale, the Cayman S's 3.4-litre direct-injection unit puts out a robust 235kW -- up by 18kW.

The results make good reading as the Cayman S with PDK and Launch Control (featured in the optional Sports Chrono Package Plus) accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds, putting it in the same ballpark as BMW's latest V8-powered M3.

The updated Boxster/Boxster S and Cayman/Cayman S also feature the latest generation Porsche Stability Management (PSM), which offers two new functions: Brake Pre-Loading and the Brake Assistant.

Whenever the driver lifts off the throttle pedal abruptly, the PSM hydraulic control unit builds up a level of pressure in the brakes before the driver even touches the pedal. Porsche says this has the effect of moving the brake pads towards the discs, improving response and shortening stopping distances accordingly.

In conjunction with 18- and 19-inch wheels, the new models in the Boxster and Cayman ranges are also available with a limited-slip differential -- locking action is 22 per cent under power and 27 per cent in overrun.

Porsche claims the result is a significant improvement of both traction and stability, "providing a substantially higher level of performance on winding roads, particularly on the race track". Another advantage, claims the company, is more stable load change behaviour.

Visual changes to the updated models are subtle. The new halogen headlights with their integrated direction indicators are meant to be reminiscent of the lights on the Carrera GT, while the more aggressive nose is somewhat Ferrari F430-esque in execution.

The derriere has also been fettled, with the new LED lights housed within a more curvaceous cluster, and the twin exhausts (on S models) protruding from a new bumper diffuser.

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