Porsche  VW Golf GTI  VW Beetle Porsche Boxster

Enter your search terms Submit search form

Information & History

The first-generation Boxster (the 986) was introduced in late 1996 as a 1997 model; it was powered by a 2.5 litre flat-six engine.

In 2000, the new Boxster S variant was introduced with a larger 3.2 litre engine and the base model received a more powerful 2.7 litre engine.

In 2003, styling and engine output was upgraded on both variants.

In 2005, further updates were substantial enough that Porsche internally identified the Boxster as a new 987 model. The 987s were more powerful than the 986s; engine output increased yet further in 2007, when both Boxster models received the motors from the corresponding Porsche Cayman variants.

Production of the 986 began at the former Porsche 928 facility in Stuttgart, Germany in 1996.
Valmet Automotive also manufactures Boxsters under contract to Porsche at a facility in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

The Boxster's name is a portmanteau of the word "boxer", referring to the vehicle's horizontally-opposed or "boxer" engine, and the word "roadster", referring to the vehicle's convertible top.

The styling of the Boxster is due to former "Style Porsche" department head Harm Lagaay.
His Boxster design study and the production Boxster stimulated a commercial turnaround for Porsche after several difficult years of falling sales.

986

The first generation of the Boxster whose visual appearance was heavily inspired by the Porsche Spyder and Speedster as well as the Porsche 550 Spyder. The Boxster was released ahead of the release of its big brother, the 996.
Through consultation with Toyota, Porsche greatly decreased the cost of manufacture, and introduced large scale sharing of components between its models. The 986 Boxster had the same bonnet, front wings, and distinctive 'fried-egg' headlight units as the 996. Its original 2.5L M96 engine shared the same architecture with the 3.4L engine used in the 996. Many believe the combination of the new Boxster / 911 styling and the reduced build costs through component sharing saved Porsche from being acquired by another car company.

All 986/987 Boxsters use the M96 water cooled, horizontally opposed ("flat"), six-cylinder engine. The M96 is the first completely water-cooled engine used in a production non-front-engined Porsche. In the Boxster the M96 is placed in a mid-engine configuration as opposed to the rear-engine placement in all 911s. The combination of the M96 and a mid-engine layout provide a low center of gravity, smoothness throughout the rev range, near perfect weight distribution, and neutral handling characteristics. Early production M96 engines had a small but significant number of engine failures due to cracked or slipped cylinder liners, but since a minor redesign in 2000 these problems have been resolved.

Boxster 986 model history

MY 2000

2.7L 162 kW (220 PS/217 hp)
3.2L 186 kW (253 PS/249 hp) Boxster S introduced

MY 2003

2.7L 170 kW (231 PS/228 hp)
3.2L 190 kW (258 PS/255 hp) MY 2004

3.2L 194 kW (264 PS/260 hp) Boxster S 550 Spyder 50th Anniversary Edition limited to 1953 cars

The model received a minor facelift in 2003.
The plastic rear window was replaced by a glass window.
Porsche installed a different exhaust pipe and modified air intake.
In addition, the often disliked orange "fried egg" front indicators were replaced with clear glass indicators, and the rear light cluster was also changed, with orange turn signals replaced with clear grey. The side marker lights on the front wings were changed from orange to clear, except for on American market cars, where they remained orange. The bumpers were also changed slightly for a more defined, chiselled appearance, and new wheel designs were made available.

In 2004 the 550 Spyder 50th Anniversary Edition was released, a production run of just 1953 cars. The Anniversary Edition cars are all painted GT Silver Metallic, the same color as the car show version of the Carrera GT supercar, and had unique cocoa brown full leather interior as standard, with grey natural leather as a no-cost option. Each car also received special interior paintwork, high-end BOSE sound system, two-tone grey and silver 18" Carrera wheels (unpainted as another zero-cost option), 5mm wheel spacers, the Boxster S sport exhaust, the 030 option lower sports suspension, and a plate on the center console piece commonly known as the "batwing" showing the production number. On American market cars the rear turn signals were red, whereas they remained clear for the rest of the world.

987

Porsche 987 2005 Porsche Boxster S
Manufacturer 	Porsche
Production 	2005–
Engine(s) 	2.7 L flat-6 (2005-)
3.2 L flat-6 (2005-2006)
3.4 L flat-6 (2007-)
Wheelbase 	95.1 in (2415.5 mm)[1]
Length 	171.6 in (4359 mm)[1]
Width 	70.9 in (1801 mm)[1]
Height 	51.0 in (1295 mm)[1]
Curb weight 	3130 lb (1420 kg)[1]
Fuel capacity 	16.9 US gallons (64.0 L)[1]
Related 	Porsche Cayman

The second generation of the Boxster (internally known as the 987) made its debut at the 2004 Paris Motor Show alongside the new 911 (997). The car became available for model year 2005.

In appearance the car remains very similar to the previous generation. The most obvious styling change is to the headlights, which now have a profile similar to those of the Carrera GT, Porsche's mid-engined supercar. The intake vents on the sides of the Boxster are now larger, with more pronounced horizontal slats and are coloured metallic silver, irrespective of the paint colour on the rest of the car. The wheel arches have been enlarged to allow wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, a first for the Boxster series. The most significant updates from the 986 series are in the interior, with a more prominent circular theme evident in the instrument cluster and cooling vents. Porsche claims that the 987 Boxster shares only 20% of its components with its predecessor, despite their being almost identical from the outside. The base engine is a 2.7 L 176 kW (240 hp) flat-6, with the Boxster S getting a 3.2 L 206 kW (280 hp) engine. The Cayman series is derived from the 987.

For the 2007 model year the base Boxster received a revised engine featuring VarioCam Plus to provide a 5 hp boost (245 hp; the same as the Cayman). The Boxster S engine was upgraded from 3.2L to 3.4L, resulting in the production of 15 more hp (295 hp; the same as the Cayman S). These upgrades made the Boxster series and the Cayman series equivalent in terms of horsepower.

Porsche has announced a commemorative RS60 edition of the Boxster to celebrate the history of the Boxster. Only 1960 examples will be produced with a badge on the dash showing each example's production number.

Porsche also announced the production of limited Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2, to be available on October 2008 as 2009 model. It features freer-flowing exhaust, which raises power from 295 hp at 6250 rpm to 303 hp at an identical 6250 rpm. It came with painted interior surfaces and gauges, white 19-inch wheels, and light gray stripes on the front fascia, hood, and bodyside, monochrome red taillights, white body. 500 are to be made for worldwide market, with 100 for the U.S. and Canada. It cost $66,900 USD. Boxster 987 model history
MY 2005
2.7L 176.5 kW (240 PS/237 hp)
3.2L 206 kW (280 PS/276 hp) Boxster S

MY 2007
2.7L 180 kW (245 PS/241 hp)
3.4L 217 kW (295 PS/291 hp) Boxster S

Blatantly copied from boxa.net

1998 Base
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
18” wheel option with rear chassis reinforced to accept new wheels.
Side air bags standard (not available in ’97.)
Satellite navigation option.

1999 Base
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional.
Litronic headlights option.
Small storage compartment between engine compartment lid and the convertible top.
Larger fuel tank

2000 Base
2.7Litre engine 217 HP (redline increased from 6700 to 7200)
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Twin resonance induction on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines.
S model introduced. 3.2Litre engine, increased valves sizes,.
ME7.2 Electronic Throttle System (eGas) on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines.
Warm up catalytic converters (now 4 converters total) for emissions on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines.
Gearing change on 4th and 5th gears in manual gearbox.
Tiptronic gearbox also revised to work with larger engines, temporary manual mode allowed even
while in Auto mode.
Trans-fluid to water heat exchanger added.
Rear suspension changes.
Manual seat height adjustment standard.
Lighted vanity mirrors standard.

2000 S model introduced.
3.2Litre engine 250 HP, increased valves sizes.
6 speed manual trans, 5 speed Tiptronic optional.
Larger brakes.
Larger 17” standard wheels.
Additional front radiator grill.
Left and right radiator inlets titanium.
Twin exhaust tailpipes.
Door sill trim.
Silver look trim in door pulls, lid openers, instrument bezel trim.
3-spoke steering wheel.
Cloth headliner.
Subwoofer speaker system option.
Popular options grouped into packages.

2001 Base
2.7Litre engine 217 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
All Boxsters got 3-spoke steering wheels with Porsche crest.
Ambient lighting standard (door pulls, ignition switch, center console).
Trunk releases made electronic switches instead of pull handles.
Ignition key allows remote access to both trunks.
Cloth headliner standard on all Boxsters.
Porsche Stability Management optional.
Roll bar soft touch paint.
Trunks got new carpeting.

2001 S model
3.2Litre engine 250 HP, increased valves sizes.
6 speed manual trans, 5 speed Tiptronic optional.

2002 Base
2.7Litre engine 217 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional.
Front seat belt pretensioners and force limiters.
New multifunctional display inside instrument cluster when optional on board computer ordered.
Keys have color Porsche crest.
Matte surface switches.
Anti-entrapment trunk release lever.
Optional Bose sound system replaces previous digital sound package.
Additional colors: Black, Carrara White, Basalt Black Metallic.

2002 S model
3.2Litre engine 250 HP, increased valves sizes.
6 speed manual trans, 5 speed Tiptronic optional.

2003 Base (Significant refresh)
2.7Litre engine 228 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Lockable glove box.
Improved cup holders.
Bose digital audio system option.
Base model gets same suspension as 2002 S model.
Glass rear window (heated) standard.
Grey/White turn signals replace the prior years yellow/orange ones.
Larger air intakes.
Side air intakes body colored.
Altered rear air spoiler.
Different front and rear bumpers.
Redesigned and lighter wheels.
Tweaked exhaust
Center vents smaller
CDR-23 uses MOST audio bus
Standard in-dash CD player
Optional PCM II using MOST
Switches horizontal
Revised console (between seats)

2003 S model
3.2Litre engine 258 HP
6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
new anti-roll bars.

2004Base
2.7Litre engine 228 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
New colors (Atlas Gray and Carmon Red)

2004 S model
3.2Litre engine 258 HP
6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
new sports exhaust system option

2004 550 S model
A special “these options included” model
3.2Litre engine 264 HP
6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
GT silver paint
Cocoa full-leather interior (also available is Dark grey with option code DY)
Cocoa convertible top
18” Carrera wheels with colored crests and grey spokes (delete grey option code 192)
Silver brake calipers
Color-matched roll hoops
Unique stainless steel exhaust tip
Litronics headlights with washers
GT Silver interior accents
Perforated Cocoa sport seats and steering wheel
Unique aluminum shifter and handbrake
Heated seats
On-board computer
Chrome rimed gauges
Hi-Fi Stereo system
Custom grill inserts for rear bumper
Special chrome badging for rear deck lid and interior
Sports suspension
Spacers on all 4 wheels for wider track
Porsche Stability Management

987
2005 Base (almost totally new model)
2.7Litre 240 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic optional
Variable ration power steering
Stiffer chassis, wider wheel alignment
Bigger brakes
Head airbags
PSM standard
17” wheels standard (18”, 19” optional)

2005 S model (almost totally new model)
3.2Litre 280 HP
New 6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Variable ratio power steering
Stiffer chassis, wider wheel alignment
Bigger brakes even than prior S models (Ceramic brakes CBBS option)
Head Airbags
PSM Standard (PASM active suspension optional)
18” wheels standard, 19” optional
Sports chrono package option 

Links

TIPEC	TIPEC - The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts Club
boxa.net	BOXA.net - Porsche Boxster Forum
bombaydigital	Boxster projects - how to do some DIY maintenance stuff