Model year: 1997-2005 Production units: 164,874
When the Boxster went into series production in August 1996, it was noticeable how remarkably similar it was to the sports car concept with the same name that had been presented a good three and a half years previously. The design harked back to the 550 Spyder, and the mid-engine layout of the six-cylinder boxer engine with an output of 159 kW (204 PS) and a displacement of 2.5 litres also brought back to mind former days. On the technical side, however, the forced carry-over part concept implemented together with the later 911 of the 996 generation meant that the Boxster pointed the way to an economically very much better future. For example, identical parts such as the bonnet, headlight units, front wings and doors were also used on the 911. The new Boxster also featured a host of technical innovations. For the first time, it was equipped with alloy four-piston brake callipers in monobloc design derived from motorsport, and the boxer engine was water-cooled for the first time in a Porsche large-series production car. Four valves per cylinder, two overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, and variable intake timing by means of the patented VarioCam technology all underlined the high-tech characteristics of the power unit and proved its qualifications as a true Porsche high-performance engine. At the same time, the six-cylinder boxer engine formed the nucleus of a completely new engine family. This would later also be used in the 911 and the Cayman.. Alternatively to the standard five-speed manual transmission, the Boxster could also be ordered with the Tiptronic S automatic transmission, which now had five speeds for the first time.
In June 2002, the 986-generation Boxster underwent a comprehensive model enhancement. The engines already introduced for model year 2000 with a displacement of 2.7 litres and 3.2 litres in the Boxster S did not just generate more power thanks to the enhanced VarioCam camshaft control – the Boxster delivered 168 kW (228 PS) instead of 162 kW (220 PS); the Boxster S now had an output of 191 kW (260 PS) instead of 185 kW (252 PS) – but also shone with reduced fuel consumption. In addition to design changes on the body, the main features of this model facelift included chassis optimisations, a convertible top with glass rear window and enhanced standard equipment. For the last model year 2004, shortly before the 986-generation Boxster was replaced by the 987 successor generation, Porsche created the special-edition model “50 years of 550 Spyder”. This was limited to 1953 units and evoked the first thoroughbred Porsche race cars, whose genes lived on in the Boxster.
