Deep Dive: 2012 Porsche Boxster

The strut-type front axle and the multilink rear suspension have been re-engineered for better handling and reduced noise. Also new are 13-inch brake rotors all around. There's more electronic wizardry, including adaptive suspension management (PASM), which extends to the steering and the dual-clutch transmission, torque vectoring, and an electrically operated parking brake. In the near term, the base model will go back to a 2.7-liter six-cylinder with output slightly higher than the current 2.9-liter, which puts out 255 hp. The new 3.4-liter S version delivers 315 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. When fitted with PDK, the lesser model will accelerate in 5.7 seconds from 0-62 mph and top out at an unchanged 162 mph. The Boxster S does the sprint in 4.9 seconds; its maximum speed is 169 mph, the same as before. Prices are expected to increase by seven percent. The lighter weight, more efficient engines, refined aerodynamics, and new features such as auto start-stop, regenerative braking, and new electrically-assisted power steering add up to an 18-percent drop in fuel consumption. When the first round of cosmetic and engineering modifications is due in 2015, Porsche will introduce a new four-cylinder boxer engine, sources claim. It will likely be a 2.5-liter twin-turbo delivering up to 360 hp and 350 lb-ft. If marketing agrees, the entire range could eventually switch to the new drivetrain. A smaller 1.6-liter version of the new engine will likely power the family of smaller mid-engine cars, including the rumored 356. One or two turbochargers, a reduced friction lightweight valvetrain, and a secret new combustion process are said to greatly enhance the efficiency of these advanced horizontally opposed powerplants. There is even room for a hybrid pack which will be incorprated in the PDK transmission housing. And although the customers may not yet be ready for a diesel-engine Boxster/Cayman, converting the new boxer to TDI technology is said to be difficult but doable.