New-generation Porsche, new-generation interior. The Boxster is the latest Porsche to benefit from the cabin design theme that made its debut in the Panamera and has since been introduced to the Cayenne and 911. The Boxster’s architecture shares more with the 911 than the front-engined cars, thanks to its narrower centre console. Ancillary buttons are arranged neatly behind the gearlever rather than to its side, an arrangement allowed by the adoption of an electrically operated parking brake and a novel cupholder arrangement ◊ ∆ which presents them from the passenger side of the dashboard.
In keeping with other recent Porsche interiors, the fit and finish and perceived quality of materials have gone up more than just a notch. The Boxster’s cabin ambience now passes muster not just among anything else in its class, but also among those in classes above it.
So does the electrically operated hood, which has been completely redesigned for this generation of Boxster. It stretches back further along the car, has a rear window that’s 120mm longer and folds flat into the body, where it is no longer covered by a separate panel (saving 12kg). It’s also fleece lined all-round for greater sound absorption, and we can confirm that it gives exceptional soft-top refinement even in the foulest rainfall.
A lengthened wheelbase has liberated a touch more legroom, but the driving position in our PDK-equipped car left the pedals offset to the left a touch: no big deal, but enough for it to encourage left-foot braking for those so inclined.
The Boxster’s twin-boot layout leaves it with a luggage capacity of 150 litres in the front compartment and 130 litres behind the engine. Neither is as broad or practical as a hatched rear in a front-engined car, but such are the compromises one makes for mid-engined handling purity.
