German Flag Porsche Boxster (987) ~ 2005-11

Porsche Boxster, 987After the immense success received by the first Boxster generation (986) a new model was ready to be introduced for 2005. Its code name was 987 and at the first approach it looked more masculine and aggressive with a hint of Carrera GT courtesy of a set of new headlights…hallelujah!

Porsche Boxster, 987The front bumper’s air intakes looked sportier, the side mirrors were aerodynamically shaped, and the rear retractable spoiler was still between the now sharper looking tail lights. The only let down could be the side air intakes on the rear fenders with their light silver finish.

Porsche Boxster S Interior, 987The Boxster's interior also got a major redesign with bigger and lower seats, while the dials got bigger with more room to breathe under the now symmetrical visor increasing readability. In all, the interior quality was improved now reflecting the Porsche Boxster’s price tag and aligning itself with the 911 (997).

Porsche Boxster S, 987Right away two versions were available with the base model and the prized “S”, both running with the flat-6 cylinder boxer engine. For the base model, the engine’s capacity was 2.7 liter (164 cu in) developing now 240 ps / 237 hp at 6500 rpm instead of the 225 for the exiting Boxster (986), but it was still mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed Tiptronic unit (still best to avoid). Performance was on the rise with 6.1 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, while the top speed was now 257 km/h / 160 mph.

Porsche Boxster S, 987For the Boxster S the power gained was more consequent with a hike from 254 hp to 285 ps / 280 hp at 6200 rpm all this linked to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed Tiptronic. Here again the performance was on the rise with 5.4 seconds to 60 mph while the top speed was now of 269 km/h / 167 mph. Porsche Boxster S, 987Outside the differences between both models followed what the previous Boxster had already set, with a triple air intake on the front bumper and dual central exhaust instead of the single one found on the base Boxster. For the Boxster S, 18” wheels with stronger red brake calipers were available as standard but a series of 19” wheel sets were offered as an option and worked particularly well with the new Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Porsche Boxster S, 987The PASM stiffens and lowers the car on Sport mode and with the Porsche Stability Management system (PSM) the traction always has a chaperon. A few more new “gadgets” were an option on the 987, first with the very expensive ceramic brakes with yellow brake calipers for $8000 (PCCB), not really needed when the steel disc already worked wonders and a Sport Chrono Package Plus (SCPP). The SCPP package added a chrono-watch right smack in the middle of the dashboard a little bit like an eyesore or pimple, which could be used to time your laps at the track and access more aggressive suspension settings on the PASM and sharpen the throttle response.

Porsche Boxster, 987In 2007 the base Boxster got its power raised to 245 hp, but the best update was left to the Boxster S with an enlarged 3.4 liter (207 cu in) engine coming from the new-comer Porsche Cayman S, this generated 295 hp at 6250 rpm while the torque went from 201 lb-ft at 4400 rpm to 236 lb-ft at 4700 rpm making a new 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 169 mph (272 km/h).

Porsche Boxster RS 60A limited edition arrived in November 2007, called the RS60 (550 Spyder’s last evolution), this loaded Boxster S had silver paint and red leather interior with red tail lights, front spoiler lips and no visor above the dials. It developed 303 hp and was produced at 1960 units (date of creation for the RS60). Porsche Boxster RS 60It was joined in October 2008 by the Design Edition 2 producing the same horsepower as the RS60, but only available at 500 white units worldwide. The last Limited Edition is simply called Limited Edition and was produced at 250 units. The Limited Edition is finished in bright RS Special Orange with black accents including the wheel set.

Porsche Boxster (987.1) Specifications - 2005-09
Model/Year Porsche Boxster (987.1)
2005-09
Porsche Boxster S (987.1)
2005-09
Designer Harm Lagaay  
Engine Type Mid-rear Mounted
All alloy Flat-6, Water-cooled,
DOHC. 4V/24V. (2007 VarioCam Plus)
Mid-rear Mounted
All alloy Flat-6, Water-cooled,
DOHC. 4V/24V. (2007 VarioCam Plus)
Capacity 2687 cc / 164 cu in (2005-09)
3179 cc / 194 cu in (2005-07)
3436 cc / 210 cu in (2007-09)
Fuel Feed Bosch FI.  
Power 240 ps / 237 hp @ 6300 rpm (2005-07)
245 ps / 242 hp @ 6500 rpm (2007-09)
280 ps / 276 hp @ 6200 rpm (2005-07)
295 ps / 291 hp @ 6250 rpm (2007-09)
Torque 201 lb-ft / 272 Nm @ 4400 rpm 236 lb-ft / 320 Nm @ 4700 rpm (2005-07)
251 lb-ft / 340 Nm @ 4400 rpm (2007-09)
Transmission 5-Speed - RWD
5-Tiptronic S
6-Speed - RWD
5-Tiptronic S
Top Speed 257 km/h / 160 mph 269 km/h / 167 mph (2005-07)
272 km/h / 169 mph (2007-09)
"0-60" mph - 0-100 km/h 5.8 sec 5.1 sec (2005-07)
5.0 sec (2007-09)
Chassis Unitary Steel  
Weelbase 2415 mm / 95.07 in  
Front Suspension MacPherson Struts, Coil Springs,
Tube Shocks, Anti-roll Bar (Optional PASM)
 
Rear Suspension Multilink, Coil Springs,
Tube Shocks, Anti-roll Bar, (Optional PASM)
 
Brakes Vented Cross Drill
Disc all around, ABS
 
Front Tires 205/55 ZR 17 235/40 ZR 18
Rear Tires 235/50 ZR 17 265/40 ZR 18
Steering Rack & Pinion
Variable Power Assist
 
Weight 1295 kg / 2855 lb 1345 kg / 2965 lb
Country of Origin Germany  
Production Num.    

Porsche Boxster S, 987These limited edition models closed the gap between the first 987 generation (987.1) and for 2009 a redesigned 987 (987.2) was unveiled with reworked headlights, tail lights and a rear diffuser. Porsche Boxster, 987The base Boxster received a 2.9 liter engine producing 252 hp (255 ps) at 6400 rpm now closing the gap between the old Boxster S and this new standard model. The Boxster S kept the same capacity of 3.4 liter (207 cu in) but this time with direct injection (DFI) it made 310 ps / 306 hp at 6400 rpm all this available with a limited-slip differential for proper tail sliding. The other news was the introduction of the 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission making this type of sequential transmission a viable option over the old Tiptronic. Porsche Boxster S, 987This fast shifting PDK transmission allowed for better accelerations, the standard Boxster reached 60 mph in 5.5 sec (4.9 sec with PDK), while the top speed was of 262 km/h / 163 mph and 261 km/h / 162 mph with the PDK system. The Boxster S was faster with only 5 sec to run to 60 mph (4.9 sec with PDK), while the top speed was 274 km/h / 170 mph (272 km/h / 169 mph with PDK). This made the new Boxster S a very interesting offer over any other Porsche models, especially during the recession.

Porsche Boxster Spyder, 987In November 2009 Porsche announced the most enthusiastic and focused Boxster so far with the Boxster Spyder, which is reminiscent of the 550 Spyder. To begin, the Porsche Boxster Spyder went on a diet and lost 176 lb / 80 kg. This was possible by adopting aluminium doors with strap door handles, an aluminium rear deck, a basic manual 2 piece soft-top called the "Sun Shield", ultra light 19 inch alloy wheels “a la 997.2 GT3”, and fantastic carbon fiber seats. Also simple equipment such as the AC, radio with PCM (infotainment) up to the cup holders and even the practical and rather good looking sun visor above the dial binnacle have been omitted. But any options can be added back into the Boxster Spyder and today most of them have at least radio and AC. Visually aside from the beautiful lightweight 19 inch wheels that reduce unsprung weight and the lower stance of 20 mm or 4/5 inch given by a sport suspension, Porsche Boxster Spyder, 987the Boxster Spyder top and rear deck are quite different. The lightweight manual soft-top has a more rakish design and looks rather artistic if not intricate with its 2 back straps. Sadly the Sun Shield takes quite some time to set up and is more of a curious ballet routine that should be the funny talking point of your regional car show than something to marvel at. The headlights received a surrounding black trim treatment, and black side air-intakes with no slats. Also the aluminium rear deck with a fixed rear spoiler is all new and mimics headrest fairings as older racers like the 718 RSK or RS 60. The Boxster Spyder is finished with a lettering “Porsche” doorsill racing stripe on all Spyders.

Porsche Boxster Spyder, 987Inside the Boxster Spyder, as mentioned, the aluminium doors have a colored strap instead of the usual door handle, which match the colored seat belts, again the carbon sport seats are a great addition, but the binnacle sunless visor looks unfinished and rather cheap. The 3.4 L / 210 cu in flat-6 engine also has been tweaked for an added 10 hp as the Cayman S giving a total of 324 ps / 320 hp. Porsche Boxster Spyder, 987This lost weight and horsepower gain are responsible for a 4.8 sec time to get to 60 mph with the optional PDK and Sport Chrono Package when launch control is selected. With the standard 6-speed manual gearbox 5.1 sec is still a respectable time, which most enthusiasts have taken over the PDK. The top speed is 267 km/h / 166 mph with the top down, but due to the umbrella nature of the Sun Shield, the top speed with the top up is advised to be kept under 200 km/h / 124 mph.

Porsche Boxster RS 60, 987The 987 or Boxster second generation is another success signed by Porsche and continues the charm and excellent recipe that the German brand seems to be the only one to master.

JJP.

Porsche Boxster (987.2) Specifications - 2009-11
Model/Year Porsche Boxster (987.2)
2009-11
Porsche Boxster S (987.2)
2009-11
Designer Harm Lagaay  
Engine Type Mid-rear Mounted
All alloy Flat-6, Water-cooled,
DOHC. 4V/24V. (2007 VarioCam Plus)
Mid-rear Mounted
All alloy Flat-6, Water-cooled,
DOHC. 4V/24V. (2007 VarioCam Plus)
Capacity 2893 cc / 176 cu in 3436 cc / 210 cu in
Fuel Feed Bosch Injection Bosch Direct FI.
Power 255 ps / 252 hp @ 6400 rpm 310 ps / 306 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque 221 lb-ft / 300 Nm @ 4400 rpm 273 lb-ft / 370 Nm @ 4700 rpm (2005-07)
Transmission 6-Speed - RWD
5-Tiptronic S
6-Speed - RWD
5-Tiptronic S
Top Speed 257 km/h / 160 mph 269 km/h / 167 mph (2005-07)
272 km/h / 169 mph (2007-09)
"0-60" mph - 0-100 km/h 5.8 sec 5.1 sec (2005-07)
5.0 sec (2007-09)
Chassis Unitary Steel  
Weelbase 2415 mm / 95.07 in  
Front Suspension MacPherson Struts, Coil Springs,
Tube Shocks, Anti-roll Bar (Optional PASM)
 
Rear Suspension Multilink, Coil Springs,
Tube Shocks, Anti-roll Bar, (Optional PASM)
 
Brakes Vented Cross Drill
Disc all around, ABS
 
Front Tires 205/55 ZR 17 235/40 ZR 18
Rear Tires 235/50 ZR 17 265/40 ZR 18
Steering Rack & Pinion
Variable Power Assist
 
Weight 1295 kg / 2855 lb 1345 kg / 2965 lb
Country of Origin Germany  
Production Num.    
Porsche Boxster RS 60 (987.1) -
Also as the first Boxster
the deep front trunk
allows for plenty of
storage space .
Porsche Boxster RS 60 (987.1) -
As the first Boxster,
the rear trunk can
accommodate a generous
amount of belongings
for a sports car.
Porsche Boxster 987 -
Notice the Sport Exhaust
on this black Spyder,
while on the white Boxster
the smaller optional dual sports
exhaust replaced the normal single
rear pipe of the "standard" Boxster.
Porsche Boxster S (987.1) -
Notice here the traditional electric
Boxster soft-top ingeniously semi-
disappearing under the top rear panel.
Porsche Boxster Spyder (987.2) -
Evoking long gone old racers,
the two fairing headrests design
on this rear panel is unique to the
Spyder and made out of aluminium
for weight saving purposes.
The complicated "Sun Shield"
can be found under the fairings.
Porsche Boxster Spyder (987.2) -
Unlike any other Boxster,
the Spyder received a
fixed rear spoiler.
Porsche Boxster RS 60 (987.1) -
On the up position and
as the 986 Boxster, the
rear spoiler almost raises
straight up like a little wall.
Porsche Boxster RS 60 (987.1) -
On the down position the
spoiler is flush to the body .
Porsche Boxster RS 60 (987.1) -
All RS 60s were finished
in a "GT Silver Metallic" paint
and fitted with clear red tail lights.
Porsche Boxster RS 60 (987.1) -
Mostly seen in "Carrera Red", the RS 60's
interior could also be ordered in dark grey
with a black soft-top. Notice the binnacle
sun-visor deleted on all RS 60s.
Porsche Boxster (987.1) -
Unlike the Cayman,
The Boxster rear side
air-intake's slats are
horizontal.
Porsche Boxster S (987.2) -
For 2009, The Boxster revision
presented restyled LED tail lights .
Porsche Boxster 987 S (987.1) -
Here is the bi-color 987
1st generation tail lights.
Porsche Boxster S (987.2) -
When the 987 Boxster was
revised in 2009, the "standard"
Boxster received the third
front air-intake as the "S".

Porsche Boxster S (987.1) -
As the 1st model Boxster (986),
the "S" variant received a thin
extra front air-intake located
in between the original two
large side bumper intakes.