2009 LA Auto Show Preview: 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder - A Faster, Better Boxster

Porsche's Boxster and Boxster S just found out they have a long lost brother. He's in better shape than they are, he's stronger, and much better looking. When it rains he puts on a funny looking hat, but that's ok, because he only really likes to go outside when it's sunny. He's the new Porsche Boxster Spyder, and he's already my favorite Boxster.

Let's start with the fact that at 2,800lbs this is the lightest Porsche offered today. This was achieved by deleting the A/C and radio, and using carbon seats. The most weight-loss happened above the neck, deleting the convertible top. Instead there's a hand-attached cloth roof. Frankly, it looks awful, and the fit is just ok. However, you'll quickly forget about it when you drive it. The mid-mounted engine makes 320hp and 273 ft-lbs of torque, both 10 higher than the Boxster S. With the PDK transmission sprints to 62 mph happen in 4.8 seconds and you can blow-dry your hair at 166mph. With new 20mm-lower springs and an LSD, this car will be incredible in the corners.

The Boxster has remained largely the same since its debut in 1997. There's been small engine upgrades, and little changes to the body, but Porsche left its overall shape alone. I've never been a big fan of it. Driving aside, to me it looked like they designed the front, then said, “Let's use that for the back too.” Then they put on taillights where the headlights are and headed home early.

This Spyder, though, looks great. Grabbing the eye are the two humps behind the cockpit, a distinctive design off of the beloved Carrera GT. Here it fills in the Boxster's shape, giving it presence. New bumpers also distinguish it from its kin, with tasteful accents everywhere. Top down I think it's a great-looking roadster.

As stated before, inside the leather, radio, and A/C are gone. In their place are performance-oriented accents like the GT3-esque door pulls. My favorite are the buttons on the wheel. One says “Launch Control”, and one says “Sport Plus”. Clearly Porsche thinks its buyers will being needing both often. This car is not a fashion-accessory. It's for driving.

That's both a good and bad thing. At $61,200, the Porsche Boxster Spyder is 3 grand more than a base Boxster S. I think many shoppers would opt for the car that has creature comforts and a decent roof. Porsches shine as daily drivers, and this deviates from that. But what this is is an open-aired Cayman S. Same focus of the Cayman with the fun-factor of a roadster. That is a combination that driving purists will have a hard time turning away from. It's also a fresh look the Boxster needed. Besides, putting that top on just gives you more time to admire the gorgeous, sculpted power-domes.

Source: Porsche