In the 1990s, Porsche's economic situation was poor, and Porsche was in urgent need of a "volume" model. By sharing cost control and business philosophy with Toyota Motor Corporation, Porsche began to use a modular and platform model strategy to increase models and cut costs.
The Porsche Boxster first appeared at the North American Auto Show in 1993, and was officially mass-produced and launched on the market at the end of 1996. The first-generation Porsche Boxster, code-named 986, used a large number of chassis components from the fourth-generation Porsche 911, including the hood, front fenders, headlights, engine structure, etc. The displacement of the early model was 2.5L, and the entire series was equipped with 6 Cylinder water-cooled horizontally opposed engine and manual or automated manual transmission, mid-mounted rear-wheel drive. The Porsche Boxster sold for about $50,000 at the time.
The Porsche Boxster uses an electric soft-top convertible design, and can also be equipped with a separate hard top. The electric rear wing hidden at the rear of the car body will automatically rise at a speed of 120km/h and retract automatically at a speed of 80km/h. This can not only enhance stability when driving at high speeds, but also maintain the smooth overall lines of the car body when driving at low speeds.
Due to workmanship problems in the early Porsche Boxster, the cylinder liner on the cylinder block would crack or fall off, and the center bearing would sometimes fail. Moreover, the design of the Porsche Boxster also lacked protection for minors. good.
The safety technologies applied to the Porsche Boxster were at the international forefront at the time, such as the patented body structure with reserved buffer zones, inertial reel-type 3-point safety belts with pre-tensioners, load limiters, double Front airbags, door-mounted side airbags and anti-lock braking systems. Boron steel reinforced safety bars around the windshield and behind the seat ensure safety in the event of a rollover accident.
In 2000, the displacement of the Porsche Boxster was increased to 2.7L, and the Porsche Boxster S equipped with a 3.2L engine was launched.
In 2003, the Porsche Boxster underwent a minor facelift. The rear window was changed from plastic to glass, and the steering wheel and intake and exhaust systems were redesigned. Porsche began using same-color turn signals in 2003, but kept the original design in the U.S. market due to legal reasons. In 2004, the second-generation Porsche Boxster (987) made its debut at the Paris Motor Show.
Officially launched in 2005, the second-generation Porsche Boxster is still very similar to the previous generation model in appearance, but the headlight design returns to the classic "frog eye" design, and the two sides of the body are enlarged. side air intakes and uses 19-inch wheels. The optimized and upgraded electric convertible can open and close in only 12 seconds. The interior has changed a lot, and the overall design is more refined and modern. The air-conditioning outlets and central clock highlight the "circular theme."
Because the appearance of the entire vehicle is very similar to the previous generation model, the outside world has questioned whether the replacement of the second generation Boxster is complete, but Porsche claims that only 20% of the parts are shared with the previous generation model. The engine continues to use the 2.7L and 3.2L 6-cylinder horizontally opposed engines of the previous model.
In 2007, the Porsche Boxster's power was upgraded again. The entire series adopted new VarioCam technology and Motronic ME 7.8 engine management software, making the engine more efficient and lower exhaust emissions. At the same time, the displacement of the Porsche Boxster S has been increased from 3.2L to 3.4L.
In 2009, the second-generation Boxster underwent a mid-term facelift. The facelift focused on the power part. The six-cylinder horizontally opposed engine uses an in-cylinder direct fuel injection system to improve fuel consumption and emissions. reduced. The Porsche dual-clutch transmission has higher transmission efficiency and faster shifting speeds than the old Tiptronic transmission. Performance, economy, emissions and driving pleasure are all improved. The 2.9L engine replaces the old 2.7L engine. Under the action of the Porsche dual-clutch gearbox, the fuel consumption of the Porsche Boxster equipped with the 2.9L engine is only 8.9L per 100 kilometers, and the fuel consumption of the Porsche Boxster S equipped with the 3.4L engine is 9.2L per 100 kilometers. . Porsche engineers also provided new suspension tuning, and the strength of the power steering system has also been adjusted, resulting in more agile and smooth steering.
On the evening of September 28, 2012, the third-generation Porsche Boxster was launched in Beijing, China. The Boxster was priced at 732,000 yuan and the Boxster S was priced at 976,000 yuan.
In terms of appearance design, the third-generation Porsche Boxster inherits the classic design elements of Porsche sports cars in the 1970s. The third-generation Porsche Boxster has a widened air intake on the front face, a side profile and black side air intakes. The car emphasizes its sporty genes, and the taillight design also echoes the overall design.
The body of the third-generation Porsche Boxster uses an aluminum-steel composite structure for the first time to reduce the weight of the vehicle. Official data shows that the standard version weighs 1,340kg and the S version weighs 1,350kg, which is 100kg and 105kg respectively lower than the previous generation model of the same version. In addition, the two luggage compartments at the front and rear of the new car can provide storage volumes of 150 liters and 130 liters respectively.
The third-generation Porsche Boxster is equipped with a rear wing design that can rise and fall with speed. It will automatically extend when the speed reaches 120km/h to increase high-speed stability. The car also comes standard with a fully electric soft top, which can open and close in about 9 seconds with the engine running, and can be operated at a maximum speed of 50km/h. When the vehicle is stationary, the roof can also be operated remotely via the car key.
The interior design of the third-generation Porsche Boxster has changed significantly. The overall style is somewhat similar to the new 911. Many round elements in the old model have been replaced, and more flat lines look cleaner. The raised center console allows the driver to operate more freely, and the overall feeling is more refined than the old model. In addition, the car also offers an upgraded version of the optional adaptive sports seats, which have 18-way full electric adjustment functions including lumbar support.
The third-generation Porsche Boxster is equipped with a high-resolution 7-inch TFT color display screen to enhance the visual effect in the car, and is equipped with a Porsche Communication Management System (PCM) to integrate audio, navigation and communication systems. Function. In addition, the car can also be equipped with an optional BOSE? surround sound system. There are 10 speakers in the car with a total power of 445w.
In terms of power, the third-generation Porsche Boxster adds a 2.7-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that uses DFI direct fuel injection and VarioCam variable valve timing technology to replace the old 2.9-liter engine. The maximum output power reaches 265 horsepower and the peak torque reaches 280Nm, which is a 10 horsepower increase compared to the previous generation. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers in 5.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 262km/h. The high-performance version of the Boxster S is equipped with a 3.4-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with DFI fuel direct injection and VarioCam variable valve timing technology. The maximum output is 316 horsepower and the peak torque reaches 360Nm. It relies on this power system to accelerate from 100 kilometers to 100 kilometers. It only takes 5 seconds and the top speed can reach 277km/h.
At the same time, in order to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions, all third-generation Porsche Boxster series are equipped with an automatic engine start/stop system as standard. Official data shows that the new model has an average fuel consumption reduction of 1.7 liters compared to the previous generation model - 1.8 liters, and carbon dioxide emissions, taking the Boxster S as an example, have dropped from 230g/km of the previous generation to 188g/km.
In addition, in order to further improve the endurance, the third-generation Porsche Boxster is also equipped with a "sailing" function for the first time. When the driver releases the accelerator, this function can disconnect the transmission and the engine. The power transmission is equivalent to the effect of coasting in manual gear. When the accelerator or brake pedal is pressed again, the transmission will engage in the current appropriate gear.
The third-generation Porsche Boxsterr is also equipped with a number of electronic assistance systems. Among them, the mechanical hydraulic steering of the previous generation has been upgraded to an electromechanical steering system. Energy is only consumed when turning the steering wheel, thus effectively reducing energy consumption. Consumption. In addition, the optional PTV torque vectoring system is offered for the first time in this car. Its main function is to provide variable torque distribution to the rear wheels to improve the vehicle's handling experience. It is worth mentioning that the optional PASM active suspension management system in the previous generation model has become standard in the new generation model, further improving the Boxster's handling experience and vehicle stability. At the same time, the new car can also be equipped with an optional ceramic composite braking system, which is equivalent to 50% of the weight of a cast iron braking system of the same size.
For the above configuration, Porsche has also prepared Sport Chrono components for the new generation Boxster, including dynamic gearbox supports, performance displays, digital and analog timers, and "Sport Plus" buttons.