Porsche Boxster GTS 2015 Review

An unseasonal burst of late afternoon, beach-side sunshine highlights the metallic Rhodium Silver paintwork of the Porsche Boxster GTS. Contrasting that sheen with the deep black 20-inch alloys adds a sinister overtone to the honed Boxster’s appearance as I open the driver’s door and finger the button to release the similarly-dark fabric roof.

Despite the blue skies, the chilly air is slowly taking over as the sun’s strength wanes, inexorably closing towards the horizon and nightfall ahead… but there’s still time.

I fire up the tuned 3.4-litre flat-six and hear the revs flare momentarily before it settles to a characterful idle. In Boxster GTS form, power and torque rise 11kW and 10Nm respectively over the Boxster S, to generate 243kW at 6700rpm and 370Nm from 4500-5800rpm.

Other key figures: Opt for the seven-speed dual-clutch ‘PDK’ automatic gearbox tested here and the price skyrockets to $154,490 plus on-road costs -- some $6290 more expensive than the six-speed manual.

The PDK adds an additional 30kg too, for a quoted kerb weight of 1375kg, and drops the 0-100km/h sprint from five seconds to 4.9; big deal you say, until you realise the self-shifter also reduces fuel consumption from 9.0L/100km to 8.2, assisted by a coasting function.

Perhaps more of an issue for the Boxster GTS is that the Boxster S PDK is a relative bargain, at only $133,890, but then again the GTS alterations amount to more than a little extra grunt.

Specific Boxster GTS seats, fitted as part of the $7490 ‘special interior package’ with ‘contrasting highlights’ are trimmed in black leather with grey Alcantara inserts.

And while they do a great job of hugging occupants in, it’s that gorgeous three-spoke, thin-rimmed Alcantara-wrapped ‘SportDesign’ steering wheel that captures the senses.

It apes the 911 GT3’s for tactility and offers a clean look without the regular domination of buttons strewn across its boss as in many other sports machines.

Disappointingly, parking sensors at the front and rear add a further $2580, those black alloys $2890, the metallic paint $1850 and the headlight washers $550. Specified to this standard, there’s an eye-watering $169,850 sticker… which is nevertheless cheaper than a BMW M4 Convertible.

Sport Chrono is also standard on this Boxster, adding dynamic transmission mounts to the mix, and Porsche’s Active Suspension Management drops ride height 10mm over standard while offering normal or sport chassis settings through the adaptive dampers.

There’s also a fun button on the centre console, with a graphic depicting two cylindrical shapes; this opens the sports exhaust, and defines this Boxster’s character… especially with its roof stowed.

Dual-zone climate-control cranked to high heat, the ‘little’ 3.4-litre six is guttural through this exhaust, and with Sport or Sport Plus drive modes engaged, it pops and crackles on the over-run, just like a Porsche should.

Indeed, this level of aggravation is arguably wilder than the GT3’s because you don’t fully expect it, such is the convertible’s aesthetic.

For all its raucous nature, however, the exceedingly long gearing that Porsche has installed in the Boxster range (and that extends into Cayman) means that the acceleration perhaps isn’t as vivid as the enveloping sound suggests. Second gear climbs to almost 120km/h, and seventh is an economy-minded 0.62:1.

The tall gearing may extend the engine’s vocal development but it also amplifies why the performance car world is happy enough to downsize and add a turbocharger or two. Put simply, the Boxster needs 4000rpm on board to truly deliver; but the aforementioned M4 has already run away.

Thankfully, the chassis is where the Boxster still shines. Introduce a tricky, bumpy braking zone and the GTS takes it in-stride, the damping flattening the bump, the steering wheel jiggling its presence momentarily as you apply force to the four-pot aluminium callipers (to front and rear) via a progressive ‘middle’ pedal and prepare to maximise the Boxster’s inherent mid-engine balance through to the apex.

Carbon-ceramic brakes are (expensively) available, but really not necessary in this application.

Flick the PDK down a couple of gears, point that nose in, and feed the power back in (not too harshly; there’s a throttle détente that, if exceeded, will sometimes override the selected ‘manual mode’ and force a kick-down, upsetting the delicate balance).

The steering shifts its weighting, lighting up as you utilise the flat-six’s razor-sharp throttle response to squeeze the rear into the tarmac.

Sport chassis mode appears to tune this process to fine detail, but the stability control intervention is quick to make itself known on bumpy corner exits, triggering the traction control when it’s apparent there’s still plenty of traction available.

So the Boxster GTS is wonderfully capable and suitably endearing, as you’d expect.

Looked at with more practical eyes, the roof-up noise insulation disappoints, especially against some of its solid-roof opposition. Thankfully, the roof’s operation is smooth and quick, and can be comfortably done either stopped in traffic or cruising at 60km/h.

It rides well in either chassis mode, embarrassing the Jaguar F-TYPE and BMW M4 opposition in this regard, and the slow-speed response of the PDK is competitive with the M4, if not as smooth as the torque converter-equipped Jag and Mercedes SLK range.

There’s useful front and rear load spaces when compared to the F-TYPE, though neither is large enough for a decent suitcase… two small ones will have to suffice.

Despite all this, my enduring memory is of that chilly late-evening drive, the beach-side tunnel and the second-gear crackle with the sports exhaust engaged.

That the Boxster’s dynamics – if not its straight-line speed – can match the primal noise it emits makes it a very special machine.

2015 Porsche Boxster GTS pricing and specifications:
Price: $154,490 auto (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.4-litre flat six-cylinder petrol
Output: 243kW/370Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 8.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 190g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

Also consider:
>> Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 (from $162,400)
>> BMW M4 Convertible (from $178,040)
>> Lotus Exige S 111 (from $132,990)