Porsche Boxster S 3.4 PDK Review: Home Improvement

What we like:

Handsome looks

sublime handling

significantly improved performance over its predecessor

fully automatically-operated roof

well-executed interior

What we dislike:

Expensive optional extras

unintuitive layout of gear shift paddles

In the old Boxster, you’d need to manually turn a lever to unlock the roof locking mechanism on the windscreen frame before the hydraulics take over to electrically lower the roof. The new model features an all new roof design that features full electrical operation and is stored behind the passenger compartment without the need of a convertible top compartment lid when retracted. The roof can be lowered in a matter of seconds with just pulling a rocker switch on the centre console. An added bonus is that the roof can be operated on the move at speeds of up to 50km/h, a feature that the Boxster shares with the 911 Cabriolet.

With the new model, the Boxster’s interior has been completely redesigned to bring it up in line with those in contemporary Porsche models like the 911, Cayenne and Panamera, which means the increasingly familiar rising centre console design that first drew inspiration from the Carrera GT’s. Like the 991, the new Boxster offers a large multi-function screen on the right of the rev counter that displays information like lap times, additional parameters like oil temperature and pressure as well as a device that measure g forces.

Compared to the interior of the last generation Boxster’s the new model’s is far improved when it comes to overall perceived quality and luxury, thus further contributing to the Boxster’s new-found sophistication and maturity overall.

With the new model, the Boxster has evolved into a more complete sports car that looks simply sensational and stunning while offering improvements in overall drivability and sophistication, moving the goal posts even further away from its roadster competitors and opposition.

Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai