2012 Porsche Boxster S: Lighter, Faster, Stronger

The latest iteration of the German automaker's "entry-level" roadster boasts a brand-new design, with a lighter body, more horsepower and greater torque.







Compared to the 2011 Boxster S, this year's model remains mostly the same size, though with a bit less height--50.6 inches versus last year's 50.9 inches--and an overall length that's one inch shorter. These small adjustments in size are expected to contribute to improved handling, greater acceleration speed and a higher total top speed.



Other adjustments abound, though certain specifics remain unchanged from last year's model: engine size is still 3.4 liters, with a flat 6-cylinder setup. Engineering tweaks for this year have conspired to make the 2012 model an even more enjoyable "beginner's Porsche" ride: torque has increased from 266 feet per pound to 273. Horsepower has made a leap from a very likable 310 to 320. Combine this with a lighter curb weight of 2,855 pounds (a full 120 pounds lighter), and you've got yourself a roadster that can hold its own against its higher-end siblings.



On the fuel-efficiency front, Porsche has added stop-start technology to its 2012 lineup, and for the Boxster, this should help increase its miles-per-gallon ratio. For the unfamiliar, stop-start technology essentially means the entire engine shuts down when the car is at full stop, and starts back up again once the driver accelerates. This is meant to save a bit of fuel and should be useful when idling in highway traffic or stuck between lights while city driving.



Aesthetically, the 2012 Boxster S has been given an interesting redesign. Whereas previous models strongly held the Porsche "look", especially the unmistakeable, down-sloping, narrow back end, the 2012 Boxster seems to have taken a slight departure: the front and back are wider, thicker, and sit higher, removing much of the visual cues associated with the traditional low-slung, tapered Porsche silhouette.



Overall, this latest debut in the formidable Porsche lineup should perform very well, and with an MSRP of $65,200. Comparable vehicles from other manufacturers include the BMW Z4, the Mercedes SLK, and the Audi TT.