These are the latest spy pictures of the new Porsche Boxster in testing.
The images, taken in Germany, show the Boxster sporting less disguise than ever before as development enters an advanced stage. It is tipped to be launched at next year’s Geneva motor show.
See the latest Porsche Boxster spy pics
The next Boxster spied here may show a car similar in appearance to the current model, but in fact, like the next 911, every panel in the Boxster will be new, as will the fabric roof. The new panels will be lighter, too, to keep weight to a minimum.
Next year’s Boxster will also be longer and wider than the current model to make room in the Porsche range for the new ‘baby Boxster’, which will share its platform with the VW BlueSport and Audi R4.
The larger dimensions will boost interior space and high-speed stability. The front end will also undergo styling modifications to increase the Boxster's pedestrian impact safety protection.
The next Boxster will also be a showcase for Porsche’s downsized petrol engines as it bids to cut its overall CO2 fleet emissions. Boxster model line director Hans-Jurgen Wohler told Autocar earlier this year that a four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged three-cylinder engine were under consideration for the car.
“A Boxster with a four-cylinder engine, or maybe even a three-cylinder turbo, could produce between 180bhp and 200bhp and emit just 180g/km of CO2,” said Wohler. “Given the Boxster’s history – that it started with a 200bhp, 2.5-litre engine – I think this is possibly something that customers could accept.
“We are under a great deal of pressure from the EU law makers to reduce emissions, but we don’t know yet how much we’ll have to come down by,” he added.
Read more on Porsche's electric sports car plans
Yesterday Porsche confirmed it was developing three all-electric Boxsters for fleet tests in Germany from 2011. Porsche boss Michael Macht said the firm would definitely be building an all-electric sports car, and the Boxster’s presence in these tests hints that an electric model could be set for production.
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Re: Next Porsche Boxster: new pics
"A Boxster with a four-cylinder engine, or maybe even a three-cylinder turbo, could produce between 180bhp and 200bhp and emit just 180g/km of CO2..."
Four cylinder, no thanks. Three cylinder, if the exhaust could be correctly tuned, could almost sound like a flat six (remember early reviews of a hard-charging Seat Ibiza 1.2 sounding like a Porsche?). Only question would be with the (proposed) low power output with the Boxster, what happens with the "mini-boxster"?! Power from a two cylinder motor with twin-turbos and supercharger?!
The main thing is that ultimately Porsche is manufactures high-performance cars - if the proposed Boxster could be almost out-powered by a Renault-sport Clio, and they are planning a smaller (and probably poorer performing car), then surely they need to re-think their marketing strategy.
Re: Next Porsche Boxster: new pics
3, 4 pots, turbo...
Bye bye Boxster...
Re: Next Porsche Boxster: new pics
No question Los Angeles that the cars are well-engineered - indeed I was not trying to imply otherwise. However, I wonder how many sales Porsche are losing from keeping an old design. After all, the Boxster is not a design classic in the league of the 911 for instance (although even that design is past its sell-by date IMHO).