Porsche is celebrating the 25th birthday of its roadster family with a special anniversary model: the Boxster 25 Years. The edition, limited to 1,250 units worldwide, is based on the 294 kW (400 PS) GTS 4.0 model with a four-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. It picks up on numerous design features of the Boxster concept car that heralded the success story of the open-top two-seater at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show.
The visually barely changed series version was launched in 1996 and is now in its fourth generation after more than 357,000 units have been produced.
A quarter of a century of pure driving pleasure: the Boxster family turns 25
The Boxster has a special significance for Porsche: the model series heralded a reorientation of the model policy and showed the sports car manufacturer the way out of a difficult economic situation in the mid-1990s. This was reflected in the first water-cooled six-cylinder production boxer as well as in the intelligent common parts concept that debuted with the agile mid-engined roadster. It found its way into the 996-generation 911, which made its debut a year later, and enabled Porsche to return to profitable production.
The attractively priced two-seater won the hearts of new, younger customers right from the start. Visually, it cited the still young but already glorious history of the brand. The appearance of the Detroit "Boxster" study was reminiscent of the legendary 550 Spyder and the 718 RS 60 Spyder racing car. It was so well received in January 1993 that the Porsche Executive Board quickly influenced the ongoing design development of the production model and ordered: "Please build the study in the same way" - a wise decision, as time would show.
In fact, when the production model was launched in August 1996, it bore a strong resemblance to the trade fair highlight. As it shared the front end with the 996 generation of the 911, there was no question about its parentage: the Boxster was a genuine Porsche. At the same time, its centrally installed, initially 2.5-liter, 150 kW (204 hp) boxer engine was equipped for stricter emission standards thanks to water cooling, four-valve technology and variable intake timing.
An increase in performance and further model improvements soon followed. In 1999, the first Boxster 986 generation received a 2.7-liter engine with initially 162 kW (220 hp) and later 168 kW (228 hp). The newly introduced Boxster S was powered by a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine with 185 kW (252 hp), which soon became 191 kW (260 hp). In 2004, the 987 model generation followed with a refined design, 17-inch wheels and a redesigned interior as well as - optionally - PASM with variable damper control, PCCB ceramic brakes (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake) and Sport Chrono package with modified maps. The engines developed 176 kW (240 hp) and 206 kW (280 hp) respectively with unchanged displacement. By the end of their production period, the engine outputs reached 188 kW (255 hp) from 2.9 and 228 kW (310 hp) from 3.4 liters of displacement and the PDK replaced the previously offered Tiptronic S automatic transmission.
In 2012, Porsche presented the comprehensively redesigned and visually sharpened 981 Boxster generation. Thanks to a completely new lightweight body and completely revised chassis, the newcomer was more well-trained, muscular, striking and faster than ever. The all-electric fabric roof came without a soft top, the axle overhangs were even shorter and the windshield was moved further forward. The more economical Boxer engines were fitted with direct fuel injection and were launched as 2.7-liter six-cylinder engines with 195 kW (265 hp) and 232 kW (315 hp) from 3.4 liters of displacement. The Boxster GTS with 243 kW (330 PS) followed in April 2014. The highlight was the Boxster Spyder: its 3.8-liter engine caused a sensation with 276 kW (375 PS).
From six-cylinder to four-cylinder and back again
The current generation - the Porsche 718 Boxster from the 982 model series - set a new course in January 2016: it debuted with four-cylinder turbo engines and a sharper design. The two-liter engine delivers 220 kW (300 hp), while the 2.5-liter Boxer has an output of 257 kW (350 hp) thanks to a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. The Boxster GTS with 269 kW (365 PS) followed shortly afterwards.
The new edition of the Boxster Spyder took the lead in mid-2019. It shares the 309 kW (420 PS) four-liter engine with the closed sporty top-of-the-range 718 Cayman GT4 model. Since 2020, this six-cylinder mid-engine has also powered the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 with 294 kW (400 hp).
Special color for the special model
One of the most striking features of the special edition model is the reinterpreted Neodyme color: this copper-like shimmering brown already provided an exciting contrast to the basic GT silver metallic color in the groundbreaking exhibition model from 1993. In the special edition, it is used on the front apron, the side air intakes with mono bar, the lettering and the two-tone 20-inch alloy wheels. Porsche offers the Boxster 25 years in GT silver metallic. Deep Black Metallic and Carrara White Metallic are also available. Another striking element is the fuel filler cap with "Porsche" lettering from the Exclusive Design program. It shines in an aluminum look, as do the high-gloss tailpipes of the sports exhaust system. The windshield frame is finished in black.
In keeping with the style and spirit of the historic original, the special model combines a bordeaux red leather interior with a red fabric soft top. The soft top bears the embossed lettering "Boxster 25". Alternatively, both are also available in black. In addition to many other features, the extended standard specification includes the aluminum interior package, 14-way electrically adjustable sports seats, door sill trims with "Boxster 25" lettering and the heated GT multifunction sports leather steering wheel.
The engine of the anniversary edition delivers pure fascination: the 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine of the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is also used in a performance-enhanced version in the purist 718 Spyder. With its pronounced torque, exceptional power delivery and throaty sound, the high-revving, 294 kW (400 hp) naturally aspirated engine is the source of a particularly emotional driving experience. Porsche offers the Boxster 25 Years with manual six-speed transmission and seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK). The special model reaches a top speed of 293 km/h and sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds in combination with the automated gearbox and the standard Sport Chrono Package. The Porsche Active Suspension Management sports suspension (PASM) including lowering by ten millimeters and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear axle differential lock are also on board as standard. They combine remarkable ride comfort with sporty, dynamic handling.
The new Boxster 25th anniversary is now available to order and will be rolling into dealerships at the end of March 2021. In Germany, prices start at EUR 94,986 or CHF 118,800 (incl. VAT and with country-specific equipment).
