Porsche Boxster 2009 Review

Porsche MY09 Boxster and Cayman

What we liked
>> 3.4-litre 'S' engine
>> Connectivity twixt driver and car
>> Surprising levels of practicality

Not so much
>> 2.9-litre PDK combo is 'busy'
>> Some ergonomic basics missed -- steering wheel audio controls
>> Options are poisonously expensive

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
Too often dismissed as Porsche Lites, the 987 Series Boxster and Cayman have done great business for the world's most profitable carmaker. Attracting new blood to the brand and engaging purists alike since first introduced via the soft-top Boxster in 1997, the mid-engined two-seaters have seen only modest updates during the ensuing period.

Tweaked for more power and with hotter versions launched over the years, the open car was first joined by its coupe sibling in 2005. Then the duo was made-over with more assertive bodywork (one could never call either 987 aggressive).

For MY09, the first major mechanical update takes place, along with further styling changes. New, more compact engines that produce more power from less fuel and a boost to equipment levels are the headline acts. But there's also the small matter of the introduction of Porsche's new PDK double-clutch automated manual gearbox.

In the face of hardening attitudes to environmental issues and fuel efficiency, both here and abroad, the new engines and the clever seven-speed gearbox deliver fuel economy improvements of up to 16 per cent. True, that may be comparing an automatic Tiptronic box with the new PDK, but the improvements figure well with green sentiments and legislators around the globe. That they'll also deliver real world benefits to users is almost a happy coincidence.

Thinning wallets due to the global financial situation have also been considered -- even if we're still talking an entry-level car north of six-figures. The latest versions of the German marque's '987s' arrive with only modest price increases.

In fact, in the case of the base 2.9-litre Boxster, the car lists at $2290 less than the last Boxster update unveiled in 2007 and a scant $4100 more than the 2.5-litre car that introduced the series back in 1997. The price for the base Cayman has increased just $1790.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Porsche Australia has worked hard to deliver a serious dose of value add on the updated 987 range. The new line-up is priced from $113,000 for the manual Boxster, with a jump of $5500 (to $118,500) for the Boxster with the PDK transmission.

Options like the Sports Chrono and Sports Chrono Plus (including launch control for PDK-equipped cars) abound, as do other performance options such as sports exhaust, ceramic brake upgrades and the like. For the first time, Porsche now offers an optional limited slip differential for the 987 range. But as is the case with its German counterparts, it's easy to significantly increase the purchase price of even a 'humble' Boxster.

Paint colour matching services are offered, where you can select gauge face colours, option up myriad alloy wheel combinations, even add wood... to the interior! In doing so, however, you run the risk of adding tens of thousands to your basic Boxster. You've been warned!

Stay away from the options list and your Cayman kicks off at $122,200 or $127,700 with the PDK.

The high-performance 'S' models commence from $140,000 for the manual Boxster S, rising to $145,900 for the Boxster S with PDK. The 987 range is topped by the manual Cayman S at $155,300 and the Cayman S PDK at $160,800.

While $160K might sound a lot for a Cayman it's worth bearing in mind this is still almost $66,000 less than the cheapest PDK-equipped 911, the Carrera coupe.

Standard equipment is not as Spartan has previous generations of Porsche. Indeed, both coupe and Roadster benefit from enhanced levels of standard equipment in the MY09 models.

A power hood (though still manually unlatched) is standard across the Boxster range as are most of the normal mod-cons. Power windows, mirrors, aircon, cruise, remote entry and alarm, etc, are all included, but unlike most $15K hatches there are no wheel-mounted controls for the sound system.

A new version of the company's satnav, audio and comms system PCM (Porsche Communication Management) stars across the range and features full touchscreen interface plus iPod and phone connectivity options. A new DVD-based satnav is also standard.

Says Porsche, the base Boxster benefits most from the newly boosted equipment levels. In addition to the PCM system, the entry-level car also gets rear park assist, heated sports seats (manual fore-aft, electric backrest adjustment) and a wind deflector as standard.

The standard Boxster rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels (7-inch fronts, 8.5-inch rears) but packs no spare. Headlamps are halogen and there are new LED daytime running lights and foglights as standard.

The Boxster S mimics the standard roadster's upgrades but gets 18-inch wheels and detailed changes like dual exhaust pipes and upgraded interior trim.

Essentially the coupes follow their roadster stablemates leads regarding standard equipment, wheel sizes and the like. There's no folding roof or sunroof option but the Cayman and Cayman S coupe now include electrically adjustable memory seats (in lieu of the heated sports seats the roadsters get) in their standard equipment line-up.

While the company is not model specific with its claims, in comparison to the outgoing model, Porsche says standard equipment has been boosted by between $10-12,000 via the MY09 upgrades.

MECHANICAL
The latest work-up of the Boxster and Cayman series is much more than a facelift. Key to the changes are all-new powerplants and the availability, for the first time in the mid-engined Porsches, of the company's dual-clutch PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) gearbox. The seven-speed computer-controlled gearbox is now available in both the standard and S variants of the Boxster roadsters and their fixed roof coupe stablemates.

The 987's new engines are developments of the new 911 engines and displace 2.9 and 3.4-litres respectively. Capacity and bore/stroke dimensions have been changed from the previous-generation 987 engines and Porsche says there is essentially nothing shared with the engines they replace.

Like the big brother's powerplants, the engines are lighter, more compact, deliver a lower centre of gravity, are more efficient, use up to 40 per cent less parts and in the case of the S's 3.4-litre six, feature direct fuel-injection for the first time.

Both of the new powerplants meet or exceed Euro 5 emissions regulations. In the case of the 2.9-litre Boxster/Cayman engine, this has been achieved without moving to direct fuel-injection.

The Boxster and Cayman drivetrains also differ across the range in this generation, as Porsche works to further separate the characters of the two models.

The new base engine is now rated at 188kW at 6400rpm and 290Nm at 4400-6000rpm in the Boxster, while the 2.9-litre Cayman gets 195kW at 7200rpm and 300Nm -- also at 4400-6000rpm. These are up a minimum of 12kW/20Nm on the outgoing 2.7-litre engines they replace.

The direct-injected 3.4-litre 'S' mills boast 228kW at 6400rpm and 360Nm at 4400-5500rpm and 235kW at 7200rpm and 370Nm at 4750rpm in the Boxster S and Cayman S respectively. Though these powerplants share the same capacity as the last generation, they have different bore/stroke dimensions and are more powerful and more torquey -- at least 18kW and 30Nm compared to the port injected engines they replace.

New gearboxes feature across the MY09 987 range. The six-speed manuals get bespoke ratios for either standard Boxster/Cayman or Boxster S/Cayman S installations and different final drive ratios. A new self-adjusting clutch is featured to decrease service requirements.

There are likewise two final drive ratio sets for the PDK-equipped S and standard models, though all four cars share the same internal ratios for the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Suspension and brakes have also been upgraded. Individually fine-tuned for all eight variants, in general terms, there have been changes to geometry, dampers, springs and antiroll bar tuning across the range. The front struts now get an additional rebound stop spring to reduce roll angle for better stability, while the rear spring struts are now mounted in special spring supports to better control the transmission of suspension forces and noises into the body of the car. This also helps to control roll.

PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) is a $4190 option all models. This system delivers a two-mode electronically controlled damping set-up that allows the driver to choose Sport or Normal modes. It also lowers the car 10mm.

Changes to the brakes include the adoption of a newer antilock braking system that includes pre-filling (see SAFETY below) and also a hill start assist function (on manual cars). The base models now sport 20mm larger drilled and ventilated 318 x 28mm diameter front rotors -- the same size as the S models. All models feature four-piston monobloc (one-piece) calipers all round.

A ceramic option is offered on the S models -- at the princely sum of $19,980.

Performance and fuel economy have been improved across the board -- in part due to the efficiency of the PDK gearbox, which replaces the Tiptronic automatic gearbox as the sole self-shifting choice across the 987 range.

The fastest and quickest of the new 987 Series is the Cayman S, for which Porsche claims a top-speed of 277km/h (six-speed manual) and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.1sec -- for the PDK variant. The base model Boxster is still good for better than 260km/h in both gearbox versions and takes just 5.9sec to accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in its base six-speed manual variant.

Combined fuel economy ranges from 8.9-9.4L/100km across the 987 range, with the PDK-equipped base models taking equal honours as the most parsimonious of Porsches.

Weight has increased across the 987 range, though none of the cars could be considered porkers. While most carmakers add considerable weight (and jack up the price) when building a roadster, the Boxster and Boxster S are only marginally heavier than their more expensive coupe stablemates. The Boxster tips the scales at 1335kg compared to the Cayman's 1330, while the S models are each around 20kg heavier.

PACKAGING
Strictly two-seaters in all variants, the mid-engined Porsches exhibit a surprising level of practicality -- for a start they have two boots! You're still going to pack carefully, but the deep square front boot easily swallows two carry-on sized bags, while the rear trunk is a long, narrow space that can accommodate a golfbag. Or a serious spending spree at a seaside farmers market.

In the Caymans you score an additional storage area atop the engine cover behind the seats. There's even a luggage net to keep things secure.

Inside the cabin, it's thoroughly Porsche with trademark simple dash detailing, clear simple, Siamesed main gauges and a centre stack with enough buttons to keep a Mercury program astronaut happy. There are hidden cupholders and enough storage areas, (including this writer's favourite -- hinged door bins) to shame some exec saloons.

You sit low and close to floor -- as you should in a sportscar. There's plenty of room for even big fellas and with the reach and tilt adjustable steering wheel a range of driving positions are possible -- even the right one...

Porsche defines its seats as "finished in partial leather", there's a swag of interior trim and finish options as well as higher specification seats, steering wheels and the like.

Though rear three-quarter vision isn't perfect in the Cayman, it's better than most cabrios in the Boxster. Rear park assist is standard on all models to save touch parkers.  

The 987s dimensions are largely unchanged in this variation. That said both the body shapes get new bodywork with more distinctive detailing to help separate roadster from coupe and S from standard grades.

The most notable change, between the outgoing models and the new coupe and roadster, is the adoption of new 'four-barrel' headlamps. Porsche says these are reminiscent of the company's 917 sportscar racers and, more recently, the Carrera GT supercar.

New wheel designs, two-legged aero mirrors and LED daytime running and fog lamps plus taillights also help set the new models apart from their previous generation.

SAFETY
Porsche doesn't offer up its cars for NCAP crash testing, but there's no doubt they are among the best engineered automobiles on the planet. The carmaker is serious about safety and both the Boxster and Cayman bodies-in-white feature advanced materials and deformation structures.

The Boxster gets fixed alloy roll-over hoops and a reinforced windscreen structure to provide additional rollover protection. Both cars feature Porsche's own side-impact protections system including side (thorax) and head bags.

Active safety includes an advanced stability control system dubbed PSM (Porsche Stability Management) and the 987s feature a new generation of antilock braking system with advanced braking including emergency 'pre-filling' and brake assist. Pre-filling prepares the brakes for an emergency application when it senses a "sudden release of the accelerator".

COMPETITORS
Spanning $110-160K and beyond there are a large number of performance cars against which the Boxster and Cayman battle for buyers' attention -- many of them are NOT two-door two-seater sportscars.

Vehicles such as BMW's M3 and Z4M are on the list as are the higher performing variants of Audi's TT. The yet-to-be-released TT RS will be right in the thick of this fight.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK range still lacks the sporting purity of the Boxster and/or Cayman but in its latest guise is closer than ever. In both 350 Sportmotor and 55 AMG versions, the SLK neatly splits the two Porsche thanks to its folding hardtop.

It's perhaps secondhand 911s that are the biggest tease for 987 buyers' dollars though. Even Porsche is not immune from falling resale value and a well cared for 911 might be tempting to some would-be Cayman S buyers.

ON THE ROAD
Though the raw acceleration numbers tell part of the story, the real improvements in the latest 987 Porsches is their cross-country ability. With engines that are substantially more muscular in the midrange than those they replace and fine-tuned chassis these are real world sportscars par excellence. All the way through the range...

One measure of the competence of the cars is Porsche's time for them around the Nurburgring. We wouldn't normally get carried away with quoting laptimes to prove a road-going point, even on a circuit as (in)famous the Nordschliefe, but in this case it's a true comparison Boxster to Boxtser.

Back in 1997 when the first 2.5-litre car was released it logged a fastest lap of 8min42sec. The 2000 Boxster trimmed this to 8:31 and the MY03 Boxster clawed its way to 8:27. This latest Boxster S does the same lap a whopping 16sec faster! That's a massive improvement.

On streaming wet roads in speed-limited Victoria, it was hard to get anything but a taste of the potential of the latest 2.9-litre Cayman let alone the powerhouse Boxster S. We enjoyed the perfect road manners of the coupe, weren't fazed by the firm (but not crashy ride) and appreciated the quality of the interior -- and thoughtful touches like decent-sized doorbins and a passenger side integrated umbrella.

Though the chassis didn't put a foot wrong and there was more than enough grip from the standard rubber, we'd be fibbing if we said we were able to exercise even the standard powerplant in the conditions. Experienced in the standard Cayman, we can report that the 2.9 is a thoroughly civilised mill, though probably best matched to the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

Coupled with the seven-speed PDK, the 2.9 does seem just a touch short on torque to be totally unfussed. Left to their own devices the onboard electronics encourages the 2.9-litre engine into the PDK's top gear at the drop of a Martini Porsche cap in search for better economy. That'd be fine, if it didn't take but a minor throttle application to send the thing scurrying back to fifth, or indeed fourth, gear.

Not the most relaxing way to do business, even if the shifts are silky.

The PDK is much better suited to the significantly more muscular 3.4-litre engine -- which we drove in a Boxster S. Like its 911 big brother's new engine, the S's new direct-injected boxer six is a lusty, torque-full powerplant that is at the same time effortless and spurring.

Its effortless nature comes from the big thick syrupy midrange power delivery. Even at relatively light throttle openings the engine builds revs and speed without raising so much as a glow -- let alone a sweat. Its goading nature surfaces when you hit about five grand and the deep bass note of the engine starts to rise, with a touch metallic in its timbre and encourages you to hold the gear, punch the throttle and let it sing to the circa-7500rpm redline. It's a curse, officer...

In contrast to the 2.9, the 3.4 and the PDK are a match made in... err... a very good place to make matches. Top gear is retained when even reasonable levels of acceleration are sought, making the whole thing effortless.

As good as the engines are, in both the Boxster and Cayman (and in both standard and S versions), it's the connectivity between driver and car that is really the standout, however.

Steering feel, consistency and reaction is (almost) as good as it gets and there's a palpable sense of being able to detect what the car's doing via the seat of the pants, almost before it does it. These are cars that seem to encourage you to carry just a touch more speed into that corner and while you're at it, drive out of it just a little harder too.

In two days of driving the Boxster we literally had no opportunity to drop the lid -- if you want to fix a drought, plan a convertible launch. Braver souls reported that the cockpit's warm and still up to highway speeds.

Rain wouldn't stop us from picking the Boxster S as our choice of 987 though. The cabin's still cosy when it's raining and cold and (almost) quiet enough at all speeds to make you think you're in a coupe anyway. And when the sun eventually shines you can enjoy not only rays, but the sound of one of the world's great exhaust notes unadulterated.