2012 Porsche Boxster unveiled

2012 Porsche Boxster revealed

The 2012 Porsche Boxster has been revealed with a new lightweight body, revised chassis and engines – and looking much the same as the old Boxster.

The 2012 Porsche Boxster (or, as always, if you’re on the other side of the Pond, the 2013 Porsche Boxster) has been revealed, not at the Detroit Auto Show, but, just as Audi did yesterday with the A6 Allroad, as a diversion from the car antics in North America.

Looking, as you would expect from Porsche, little different to the current Boxster, the new Porsche Boxster does however get a thorough makeover of body, engines and chassis to make the new Boxster fit to fight for another decade (or so).

Look carefully at the new Boxster and you’ll notice that the overhangs front an rear are shorter than before and the windscreen has moved forward. It looks like a Boxster, but a Boxster after a proper workout. That’s accentuated by the longer wheelbase and wider track and a nose that takes a few cues from the 918 Spyder.

Inside the Boxster gets a Panamera-style makeover with a rising centre console and large screen, all in an interior promising more room and comfort thanks to the bigger wheelbase.

The flat six engine in the new Boxster comes in at 2.7 litres instead of the current Boxster’s 2.9 litres, but despite the drop in capacity it manages to deliver 10bhp more and can get to 62mph a shade faster – 5.7 seconds instead of 5.8. The Boxster S keeps the 3.4 litre capacity of the old model but gets and extra 5bhp. Those few extra horses – couple with the weight loss – cuts the 0-62mph to 5.0 seconds.

That weight loss is thanks to an all aluminium body in the new Boxster instead of the steel body in the old model, and it looks like Porsche has managed to shed some weight from the revised chassis too.

Both the new Boxster and Boxster S get a standard 6-speed manual ‘box (no, Porsche has given the new Boxster the 7-speed manual from the 911), but you can opt for the 7-speed dual clutch PDK and there’s a Sport Chrono Package with Dynamic Transmission Mounts and Porsche Torque Vectoring on offer, which also has a mechanical limited slip diff.

Despite the improvements in performance, both the new Boxster and Boxster S manage to deliver more mile per gallon than the old models. That means the new Boxster managing 36.7mpg and the new Boxster S 35.3mpg. Just as long as you keep your right foot in check.

No confirmation on prices yet for the 2012 Porsche Boxster or Boxster S, but we’re expecting it to go on sale in the UK in the Spring.