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2012 Porsche Boxster S

Never before in the history of the Porsche Boxster was a change of generation so comprehensive. The open-top two-seater car is being marketed with a completely new lightweight body and a completely revamped chassis. Considerably lower weight, longer wheelbase, a wider track and larger wheels significantly enhance yet further the mid-engine sports car’s driving dynamics, already far and away the best in its class, supported by the new electro-mechanical power steering. The new Boxsters boast superior performance and are also up to 15 per cent more fuel-efficient. Depending on model, they get by with significantly less than eight litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

The new Boxster thus delivers what the fundamentally changed styling with shorter overhangs, significantly forward-shifted windscreen, flatter silhouette and expressive edges promises. The passengers are enclosed by the completely redesigned, fully electric hood, which now dispenses with a convertible top compartment lid. The interior concept offers the occupants more space and reflects the new Porsche outline with the raked centre console, which, originating with the Carrera GT, ensures further improved ergonomics in all models.

2012 Porsche Boxster S

The new sports car generation makes its debut in the classic Porsche pairing of Boxster and Boxster S. Both models are powered by flat-six engines with direct petrol injection, the efficiency of which is further enhanced by electrical system recuperation, thermal management and start/stop function. The base model’s new power unit delivers 265 hp (195 kW) from a 2.7 litre displacement – ten hp more than its larger displacement predecessor. Technically, it is now based on the 3.4-litre engine of the Boxster S. This now delivers 315 hp (232 kW), which is five hp more than before. Both models feature a manual six-speed gearbox as standard with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) available as an option. Both sports cars achieve their best fuel consumption and acceleration performance with the PDK. The Porsche Boxster’s fuel consumption with PDK is 7.7 l/100 km and 8.0 l/100 km for the Boxster S. With gear changes without interruption to the power flow, the Boxster sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, the Boxster S in 5.0 seconds.

To enhance driving dynamics yet further, Porsche offers the Sport Chrono Package as an optional extra for the Boxster, featuring dynamic transmission mounts for the first time. Also new in the Boxster is Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear axle differential lock.

The market launch of the new Boxster generation will be on 14.04.2012. The basic list price in Germany will be 48,291 euro for the Boxster and 59,120 euro for the Boxster S, including 19 per cent value added tax in both

Story by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.

In Detail

type Series Production Car
built at Stuttgart, Germany
price €/td> €59,120
predeccesor 2009 Porsche Boxster S
engine Flat-6
position Mid, Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
block material Aluminum
valvetrain DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl w/VVT & VarioCam Plus
fuel feed Direct Fuel Injection
displacement 3436 cc / 209.68 in³
bore 97 mm / 3.8 in
stroke 77.5 mm / 3.1 in
compression 12.5:1
power 232 kw / 311.1 bhp @ 6700 rpm
specific output 90.54 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 235.68 bhp per tonne
torque 360 nm / 265.5 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm
redline 7800
body / frame Unitary Steel & Aluminum Monocoque w/Aluminum Hood
driven wheels RWD
front tires 235/40 ZR 19
rear tires 265/40 ZR 19
front brakes Ventilated Discs w/4-Piston Aluminum Monobloc Calipers
f brake size 28 x 330 mm / 1.1 x 13.0 in
rear brakes Ventilated Discs w/4-Piston Aluminum Monobloc Calipers
r brake size 20 x 299 mm / 0.8 x 11.8 in
front wheels F 48.3 x 20.3 cm / 19 x 8 in
rear wheels R 48.3 x 24.1 cm / 19 x 9.5 in
f suspension MacPherson Struts w/Gas-Pressure Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension Transverse Control Arms w/Coil Springs over Gas-Pressure Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
curb weight 1320 kg / 2911 lbs
wheelbase 2475 mm / 97.4 in
front track 1526 mm / 60.1 in
rear track 1540 mm / 60.6 in
length 4374 mm / 172.2 in
width 1801 mm / 70.9 in
height 1281 mm / 50.4 in
transmission 6-Speed Manual or 7-Speed PDK Automatic
tran clutch 240mm
gear ratios 3.31:1, 1.95:1, 1.41:1, 1.13:1, 0.95:1, 0.81:1
final drive 3.89:1
top speed ~279 kph / 173.26 mph
0 – 100 kph ~5.0 seconds
0 – 200 kph ~17.5 seconds
drag 0.30 Cd
urban fuel econ eu 12.2 L/100 km or 19.28 mpg-us
extra urban fuel econ eu 6.2 L/100 km or 37.94 mpg-us
combined fuel econ eu 8.8 L/100 km or 26.73 mpg-us
fuel capacity 64 litres or 16.90 gal.

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