20 Years of Boxster: 9 ideas on how the Porsche Boxster has (not) modified from 2004 to 2024
Porsche just lately confirmed that it’s the tip of the road for the gasoline engine-powered 718 Boxster and Cayman. The electric-only successors are following on their heels, however all this implies the time is now to benefit from the final gasps of greatness from these mid-engine masterpieces.
What higher means is there to understand what we now have now than to look again on the previous? I just lately had a 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Model Version in my driveway for every week of testing. I additionally occur to personal a 2004 Porsche S 550 Spyder Particular Version. Two particular version Boxsters, 20 years aside, one from the unique, first-generation, 986 mannequin and the opposite from the final of its line. Let’s take a stroll via these two to see simply how far (or in some circumstances how little) we’ve come. And for much more impressions on the brand new Model Version, be sure you take a look at our Street Take a look at right here.
The Boxster by no means stopped being a small automotive
My 2004 version of the Boxster measured 170.1 inches in size. This 2024 mannequin? Solely 172.4 inches. To solely develop a few inches via that period of utmost bloat is significantly commendable. Its width is an identical story, as in the present day’s base Boxster is simply about an inch wider than the primary technology. All that is to say that the fashionable Boxster drives and comports itself like a small sports activities automotive from the Nineties, as a result of it’s basically nonetheless the identical measurement as a small sports activities automotive from the ‘90s. Even weight is saved in tight test, as this Model Version weighs only a smidge over 3,000 kilos, barely greater than my 2004 mannequin.
Electrical gentle prime opening know-how positive has improved
Not solely does the brand new Boxster’s gentle prime look a lot nicer in its match and end than my automotive’s brown prime, nevertheless it’s additionally a lot nicer to make use of. The unique Boxster was half mechanical (requiring you to begin the highest elimination manually) after which electrical the remainder of the way in which. It’s clunky, doesn’t make one of the best noises and is mostly unrefined. In the meantime, the brand new Boxster’s prime goes up and down with only a single toggle maintain, no fuss crucial. This Model Version even has a delicate “Boxster” script embossed on the highest that you may respect each time you stroll as much as the automotive.
Porsche’s ‘evolution not revolution’ styling directive is ever obvious
Take a look at bits just like the entrance grille. Horizontal slats nonetheless rule the day, however they’re larger in quantity and wider within the new Boxster. The rear fender intakes are loads spicier and longer in form in the present day, however you possibly can hint the lineage again to the unique. Even small issues just like the mannequin designation on the rear trunk lid – it’s the identical actual font, with no flourish or cross misplaced. And naturally the Boxster continues to be sporting a twin-pipe central exhaust outlet, as a result of what different means would Porsche have it?
The brand new Boxster’s inside continues to be old-school
Regardless of having a touchscreen and Apple CarPlay, the brand new 718’s inside feels way more 2014 than 2024. You get pleasant toggles and buttons for basically all important controls, and perhaps even for some that you simply’ll by no means contact. The three-pod instrument cluster is nearly absolutely analog, too, although Porsche sneaks in a display screen for the furthest proper pod, which is vastly appreciated. Toggling via the cluster pc within the unique Boxster is a tad nightmarish, however no less than it has a digital speedometer. Funnily sufficient, the analog speedo is actually simply as ineffective within the new 718 as it’s within the unique as a result of massive gaps between numbers and scrunched measurement. One downgrade for the brand new Boxster, although, is the shortage of a bridged cluster shroud. In case you look intently on the unique, you’ll discover that it’s not a full hood and that you may see straight via to the windshield above the gauges – that’s not the case in 2024.
The inside packaging stays untouched
Positive, the Boxster would possibly simply be a two-seat sports activities automotive, nevertheless it’s an incredibly sensible one, and has been from the very starting. Large and deep door pockets? Yep, these by no means went wherever. Sufficient area to tuck slender gadgets behind the seats? Completely. A usable middle console? Verify. Even acceptable cupholders have been current for the unique, and whereas the design is a bit completely different in 2024, you possibly can nonetheless carry a few drinks in your drive. All that, plus the the seat ergonomics are (and at all times have been) spectacular for the overwhelming majority of individuals.
Weekend getaways are simply as simple
The Boxster continues to not solely have a generously sized trunk for a mid-engine convertible, however a generously sized frunk as effectively. In truth, I can match the identical baggage within the new one as I can within the outdated, and I did simply that on a weekend getaway to the west facet of Michigan with the brand new Model Version. One eccentricity I seen upon popping the hood is that even the lever with the purple rubber cowl is identical in the present day because it was earlier than. The one actual downgrade I see for the brand new 718 right here is the shortage of a spare tire within the frunk, which I hope to by no means use however might be grateful to have if I ever want it.
However what about driving?
This one’s a bit powerful to make a correct comparability, partly as a result of this take a look at Boxster is a base mannequin, whereas mine is an S (with much more enhancements past it included within the particular version bundle). Completely different trim apart, the 2024 Boxster is clearly the superior driving machine. Its cornering stability, chassis rigidity, journey consolation and steering are all trendy and objectively superior to the unique Boxster. You discover it instantly within the refined journey supplied by the extra superior damper know-how, which mixes with super-sharp dealing with response and far faster steering. My 2004 Boxster reveals extra roll, decrease dealing with limits and a worse journey over tough pavement. Don’t assume I dislike my outdated Porsche for a second, as a result of it’s nonetheless charming and succesful, however I’d take the 2024 model on a twisty street any day.
The engine is a unique story
Since this Model Version is a base Boxster beneath all of its stickers and flashy wheels, it’s rocking a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four positioned simply behind the cockpit and beneath the folding the roof. Unsurprisingly, it’s not probably the most charismatic of engines from a pure sound perspective, however in comparison with different four-cylinders available on the market in the present day, it’s fairly good. The exhaust burbles and snarls, and for a small-displacement four-cylinder, it likes to rev. To know what a naturally aspirated flat-six appears like as a substitute, although, is to know that this isn’t the absolute best coronary heart for an open-top sports activities automotive expertise. The three.2-liter flat-six in my 2004 Boxster S howls its means up and previous 7,000 rpm, supplying you with that uncooked, Porsche motorsports sound. It’s undeniably particular in that different automobiles with out the Porsche badge merely don’t and might’t sound prefer it. In the meantime, the flat-four within the new 718 is only a tad flat as compared. It’s completely pretty in a vacuum with loads of poke (it is greater than a second faster to 60 mph than my outdated S), nevertheless it’s additionally clear as day why Porsche introduced the flat-six again with its GTS 4.0 fashions.
I’m nonetheless going to overlook the flat-six (or 4) behind my head
Regardless of my grumbling concerning the four-cylinder, I’m undecided that I’m prepared for the Boxster to be an electrical automotive. Whether or not it’s through a beautiful guide transmission or the snappy PDK, listening to the revs rise, fall and blip via a winding patch of street is so quintessential to the Boxster expertise. Being uncovered to the weather and shifting shortly with the wind in your hair will certainly be sufficient to make the next-gen electrical mannequin enjoyable, nevertheless it’s going to be with out a lot of the character that makes in the present day’s (and yesterday’s) Boxster such a satisfying driver’s automotive. The march of time has undeniably made the Boxster a greater automobile since its inception, so I can solely cross my fingers in hopes that such progress continues into the electrical period.
