Porsche Boxster Spyder 2016 finally showed its pretty face, worthy of nearly US $83k, at the New York Auto Show, this April. It’s launch comes, following the unveiling of the Cayman GT4 & the 911 GT3 RS at the Geneva Motor Show, earlier this year. The new ‘Boxster’ makes its way after four long years of notable absence! After such a long wait, did the first look of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder 2016, meet my expectations? Lets find out..
A walk down memory lane
The Boxsters are refreshingly fun to drive, both for the novice & the connoisseur. We have one in the family. Sporty, yet comfortable and fine examples of German precision-engineering. It’s a car you could surprise your wife with on her birthday (like my brother did) & wouldn’t mind taking out for a spin once in a while (or all the time, like my brother does!)
Porsche Boxster Spyder 2016 : Don’t judge a book by its cover
Take a quick look at the new 981 Spyder (Porsche Boxster Spyder 2016) and it will appear to look strikingly similar to its predecessor. Most of us would be inclined to believe that it’s a minor upgrade to the older version. So, is it? Nope, not at all!
The exterior retains the classic styling of the Porsche 981, sporting a racy front and rear fasciae, borrowed from the Cayman GT4. The car comes with manual top (to help save weight), but Porsche says unlike the last Spyder, this one is easier to open and close. The manual top in the last version was a major bummer especially for those staying in places not blessed with sunny weather.
Enquire about the engine & that’s when you start figuring out the plot. In what seems to be a bit of an ideological change for the car-maker. The new Spyder is the first Boxster, which boasts of Porsche’s 3.8-litre flat, six-cylinder engine (borrowed from the 911 Carrera S). Floor the pedal & an impressive 375 horses take the car from 0 to 60MPH in 4.3 seconds! Wait…did we just say 4.3 seconds, from a Boxster! That is bordering on 911 territory! The car tops out at 180 mph, making the Porsche Boxster Spyder also the FASTEST BOXSTER EVER PRODUCED.
The new engine gives the Spyder a significant edge over the Boxster GTS, with the 50 extra ponies making their presence felt.
New Porsche Boxster Spyder 2016 (981 Spyder) comes with a firmer sports suspension offering a 20mm lower ride height. There is more-direct steering. Brakes are taken from the 911 Carrera S. Just like the recently introduced Cayman GT4, Porsche will only make the Boxster Spyder, available with a six-speed manual gearbox – a PDK automatic is not even on the options list.
Weight reduction has always been serious business, at Porsche. Inside, the car has been stripped down, to bare minimum. Doors are made of aluminum and seats of carbon fiber. There is also a conspicuous lack of a stereo system & air conditioning. Fret not! There is an option to put these essentials, back in & Porsche won’t charge you for that– praise the lord! Even small modern day knick-knacks like cup holders & door pockets have been left out. Not to forget the car has fabric pulls for door handles. To be fair most of these items were introduced or rather left out in the previous avatar of the car, as well.
Porsche Boxster Spyder 2015 : The tedious details
The new 981 Spyder 2016, is a stunning example of great engineering. It’s got all the attributes of good sports car; performance, agility & a serious attitude. But then again nothings perfect! The manual roof is bit annoying and the firmer suspension would mean unless you’re driving this baby on a race track, your butter bottoms would feel every little pot hole on the road.
Coming to the mundane matter of how much should a generously spaced Spyder cost? The Porsche Boxster Spyder price starts at US$ 83k, which is a big 10k premium to the Boxster GTS (& makes it just a tad cheaper than Cayman GT4). In my book that takes the new Spyder from birthday present territory to honey I forgot our 3rd anniversary present territory! On a serious note, given the expensive price tag we would be tempted to try it against the Cayman GT4 & the entry level 911 (Grudge Match?) before loosening the purse strings. The Porsche Boxster Spyder will be available October 2015 onwards and will be sold as a 2016 model.
In Conclusion
The 981 Spyder is an exquisite, classically stylish, sublime sports car. It is by no means meant for the weekend drive. It’s natural habitat is closer to the race track than the supermarket. True to its heritage, the new Porsche Boxster Spyder 2016 will offer a unique & instinctive driving experience, which makes regular Joes like us, feel like racing drivers.
