Porsche sharpens Boxster and Cayman

Porsche has launched its MY2009 987 Series Boxster and Cayman models Down Under... And in the face of hardening attitudes to environmental issues and fuel efficiency, both here and abroad -- and thinning wallets due to the GFC -- the new ranges arrive with more power, better fuel consumption, more equipment and modest price increases.

Indeed, in the case of the little Porsche that could, the base Boxster, at $113,000 for the manual variant, the car is just $4100 more than the car that introduced the series back in 1997 and, according to Redbook data, lists at $2290 less than the last Boxster update unveiled in 2007.

Other price increases across the 987 range are even smaller, with the price for the base Cayman increasing by just $1790.

Like the Generation II revamp of the 911 in mid-2008, 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 offered 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-litre respectively. Capacity and bore/stroke dimensions have been changed and Porsche says there is essentially nothing shared with the engines they replace. Like the big brother's powerplants, the engines are more compact, deliver a lower centre of gravity, are more efficient 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/290Nm in the Boxster, while the 2.9-litre Cayman gets 195kW/300Nm. The 3.4-litre mills boast 228kW/360Nm and 235kW/370Nm in the Boxster S and Cayman S respectively.

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. Six-speed manual gearboxes are retained across the board as the standard gearbox for each model. Ratio sets are shared across the S and standard variants.  

The fastest and quickest of the new 987 Series is the Cayman S, for which Porsche claims a top-speed of 277kmh (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.

Both coupe and Roadster benefit from enhanced levels of standard equipment in the MY09 models, says Porsche. A new version of the company's satnav, audio and comms system PCM (Porsche Communication Management) is standard across the range and features full touch screen interface plus iPod and phone connectivity options. Satnav is also standard.

The base Boxster benefits most from the added equipment levels. In addition to the new PCM system, the entry-level car also gets rear ParkAssist, heated sports seats and a wind deflector as standard. The Boxster S mimics the standard roadster's upgrades, while the Cayman and Cayman S coupe now include electrically adjustable memory seats (in lieu of the heated sports seats).

While the company is not model specific, it claims standard equipment has been boosted by between $10-12,000 via the upgrades.

Under the skin, the 987s feature a new generation of Porsche Stability Management with advanced braking functions 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". Brake hardware has also been updated across the 987 range.

The 987s also 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, aero mirrors and LED taillamps also help set the new models apart from their previous generation.

The new 987 range is priced from $113,000 for the manual Boxster, with a jump of $5500 to $118,500 for the Boxster with the PDK transmission. Porsche kicks off the Cayman at $122,200 or $127,700 with the PDK. High-performance 'S' models commence from $140,000 for the manual Boxster S, rising to $145,900 for the Boxster S with PDK, topped by the manual Cayman S at $155,300 and the Cayman S PDK at $160,800.

Watch out for our launch review, coming soon.