Porsche Boxster Spyder: driving test and video
Posted on 13-07-2015 to 16:00 by CasperH – 88 Comments”
Porsche invited us to get acquainted with on paper the most delicious flavoured Boxster: the Spyder. A Boxster with a 911 Carrera S-power, which sounds in any case like a fine formula!
[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]
If the plane is in the second half of the afternoon his wheels to the ground at the small airport of Florence, I hope only one thing: let the lords and ladies of Porsche please so have been wise to the cars air provide. That is (along with the radio) a component that is not, by default, is installed in the Porsche Boxster Spyder. The reason for this is simple: weight.
The Boxster Spyder should be the most die-hard flavour Boxster. Therefore, there is a different (lighter) roof-mounted, insulation is removed and the lightweight sportkuipen mounted. Results: 30 pounds of weight t.o.v. the regular Boxster, with a total weight of 1315 kg. That is not a huge weight savings, but I will get the same in return.
The look of Porsche is greatly influenced by the success of the Cayman GT4: the nose is almost identical, the rear bumper and the wheels also. But do not think that there is a simple copy-paste is done, because there are also important differences. So is the front suspension different. The Cayman GT4 has a setup that is borrowed from the 991 GT3, but the Boxster is just assumed to be the own suspension. Is the full suspension re-developed: a passive, sportier setup that resulted in a 20-millimeter reduction. The larger brakes of the Porsche 911 Carrera S and houses behind the wheels of a somewhat larger size than usual on the Boxster, so that more rubber is available to have the extra horsepower to the asphalt.
And that extra horsepower, that is, however, again from an agreement with the Cayman GT4. The Boxster Spyder has just like the GT4 on the 3.8 litre engine for the 911 Carrera S. the Boxster artificially kept small, because 375 hp is 10 units less than the Cayman has. I’m also a terrible time trying to find the Boxster under the Cayman position. As if the whole world does not realize that the two are on exactly the same basis are built, how stupid think Porsche actually that we are?
But well, that does not mean that 375 horsepower (420 Nm) fine figures, this is a compact way of innovation. Let’s be honest: we have never shouted no at more horsepower, 45 horsepower more than the Boxster GTS sounds to us like music in the ears. The 3.8 six-cylinder engine is supported by dynamic versnellingsbaksteunen that adapt to the way there driven. The engine performance is, by six manually operated gears to the rear wheels is transferred. Sprinting from 0-100 do you do in 4.5 seconds and the top speed is 290 kilometres per hour.
The gear lever also has a shorter stroke and also the steering wheel is slightly more compact than in the ordinary Boxster. The controller also has a 10% shorter gear for a more direct feel. Furthermore the interior includes a fine Alcantara injection and also the sierlijstjes in the interior in the wheels of the Boxster Spyder running. The 918 tubs are sturdy, but not uncomfortable, and ensure a perfect seating position, though I had not really found when I was just a little bit lower had been sitting. Get off you do the by the substances doorstraps to use, a GT3-like touch that the weight reduction should emphasize.
Finally there is the manually-operated roof. In the center console you’ll find the same buttons for the operation of the electric roof in the regular Boxster. By this holding to unlock the roof. Then, create either side of the fabric parts on the rear cover. You can click these stuck in the back of the roof and then you open the rear door. After you get the roof to have folded when you press the cover closed. Closing starts with the button for “roof closed” and then follow the entire process in reverse order. The only difference is that after the collapse of the roof is still a short moment, the button for “roof close” must hold, so that the slot knows that it is the quantity can lock. Then you can (without speed limits) and enjoy the sun in your Boxster Spyder. With a little practice is open (and close) as possible in a second or 45.
Close, I find no wrong in appearance, but open the Spyder, of course, the best to his right. The “double bubble” cover gives the Boxster is just that little bit of extra body. The achterspoilertje personally, I find it also a great detail. It is a kind of micro-ducktail which is wonderful walking in the lining of the hood. That looks to me better than in the previous generation. If necessary, the spoiler up for additional downward pressure on the butt.
Nice that we know that, time to try it. It is not thick at 40 degrees, so I am happy to discover that there was air conditioning present. Not that it helps a lot when you reach this kind of temperatures, open drive, but I can at least a few rays of cold air on my arms to target for a bit of shade. The key is going to be and the 3.8 comes to life with a muffled snerp. Press the Sport Plus button opens a valve in the exhaust. Immediately roffelt and starts to simmer, add the what better, fun.
We drive at the airport road, while we, with appropriate reluctance, but the hats set-up that Porsche have been given. I don’t think I’ve experienced that a manufacturer of a cargo sunburn waiting for us. We have actually not much time, the main part of the program (and thus, our film work is on the following day. We decide to go in search of a nice place for the photos, something that eventually degenerated into a quest far too narrow Italian country roads where I never hope to come up with a borrowed car that the price is from €116.700 euro.
That quest seems in vain. The Italian movement work at and a good place for the photos, we also find not yet. What I have been able to determine is that the 3.8’s in the bag sounds. What I also know is that it’s downright addictive to your foot from the gas to the sporty position of the exhaust is activated. I know that it is engineered, I know that it is fake, but it’s just so nice to have this outlet to let roggelen, coughing and explosions in gas-los. Of the performance, weight savings and chassis, I still can hardly taste it, and I hope fervently that we the next day a little less busy roads will take.
The night has little cooling effect and if we are at eight o’clock in the morning the hotel lead is already more than warmer than I pleasant find. But if I the blue’S GO 2604 see, I’m soon to forget. A quick look at the route for today predicts a lot of good things, but if we have heavy traffic is still a challenge. The route starts again, press and even, I am afraid that we have little chance to go get the Spyder really let off. But then sends the route off the main road, to a road that is so narrow and cluttered that I can only keep our fingers crossed that there is no oncoming car while I sit quiet in the second gear drive. We drive away after a minute or ten, a small village on the other side of the village is suddenly in a different world.
The roads are more spacious and are empty on a single cyclist. The pace can move up and we can have a little bit in aanvalsmodus. The Spyder behaves perfectly and precisely at speed, you will discover what a fabulous package this is. No, thirty pounds is not much weight savings. But in the basis, there is more weight saved. However, there is also weight added in the form of a larger, but also the heavier engine and larger brakes and wheels. The balance is superb and the steering is wonderfully precise. The Boxster Spyder is a really nice sporty trolley. It is not an open GT4, the Spyder is a bit more versatile but it actually also just a bit more versatile. Add to that the extra experience of the homeless drive, and you can ask if the Cayman GT4 be the best non-911 at this moment.
Porsche has a fantastic route for us figured out. A variation of tight hairpins to flowing, wide roads, and has for us prepared, and we will come mainly cyclists against and occasionally a stray motorcycle. At a certain moment a cyclist from a group of three pressure gestures. Italians, always passionate, these men are not angry. They want to understand that the more we make noise. I bring the group in and stop a little further along the road so that I their responses may gauge. As soon as they turn the corner to come toil (it’s quite uphill) they begin again to laugh, and as they past us cycling calls the front man of “Bellissima!” and gestures that I gas. Wide, laughing, the men come over. Nice, even Italians, the German sports cars can appreciate.
We continue our way and at one point we sit on a fairly narrow, winding road, and behind us a bunch of engines, looms. It is clear to hear that they are and I decide to let close. Then we go los, just full of attacks and see if the gentlemen want to connect. A long tunnel gives them the opportunity to catch up, but they do not, in short: they want to play for a while. We sweep from corner to corner, and for the first time I have run against a downside: to be full of a tight corner to be able to, I sometimes have to go back to the first gear. That was the day before also have already noticed it, but then it was less bothersome. However, if you are a bit on the exercise you’re do you want each of the Nm and hp advantage. It is a pity that the 0-100 sprint, as it is decisive, because secretly, I think the Boxster Spyder is still a lot of fun with a litter box with shorter ratios.
But that is moping around a little in an otherwise fairly brilliant package. The Boxster is a very playful and fun device that is very forgiving. A bit too early on the gas does not mean that you immediately huge on your falie of an aggressive uitbrekende back. Yes, the back is in order, but this is particularly great to catch and even a little bit. The Porsche Torque Vectoring helps you in a turn, comfortable in braking, in short: this thing is made to play. The chassis is tight but provides nevertheless more than enough comfort, what is good looking for a car with a “fixed” setup.
A lap of the Nürburgring should be possible in 7:47 reports Porsche proudly in its press release. Already had the Porsche Boxster Spyder, a half hour is about done, I wouldn’t care as long as the smile on my face, but just as big is created. The Spyder finally has the engine in the 991 Carrera S to the Porsche’s smallest and, with that, comes the Boxster is a wonderful way of life. Less hardcore than the GT4, but the Boxster is with the advent of the Spyder the status of “vrouwenauto” finally outgrown it. In fact, if you have a very nice two-seater convertible and like to drive, then this is the nicer candidate over the already very good 911 convertible Carrera and Carrera S. Yes, we understand that Porsche only a limited number of copies of this Boxster Spyder is going to deliver. And we understand also that they only deliver with a clumsy roof for quite a few extra euro’s. Because the fact is: if too many 911 cabrio-customers should taste it would be difficult can be for that car to be sold. The Rest of us yet to get him to compare with his half-brother: the Cayman GT4. That will details are better, and feels even just a little sharper, but lacks the experience of the open driving and is less versatile in terms of onderstelafstemming. Choices, choices. Movie!
Gallery: Porsche Boxster Spyder 2015
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