R O A D    T E S T

There is a saying that within every adult there’s a kid lurking somewhere.  Of course, this saying is open to interpretation from anyone (e.g. second childhood); I personally believe that this saying was specifically made for the people who drive Porsches.  Why Porsche?  Well compared to the rest of the sports car world out there, Porsches are the most refined, sophisticated, subtle and no doubt most drivable in everyday life.  On the other hand, the brand name has also produced barely road-legal machines such as the legendary Porsche 959 and the 911 GT2. 

Although the shape isn’t as sexy as the Italian designed Ferrari or Lamborghini, the classic Porsche teardrop profile has itself become a recognizable trademark when it comes to stamping authority on the German autobahn.  Armed with modern-day robust flat-6 engines, Porsches herald the marque’s glorious past by merging it with the best of today’s technology. 

When Mazda’s MX-5 Miata helped revive the roadster market in the early nineties, Porsche joined the fray by spinning off a line quite different from the usual 911 and yet deriving inspiration from its glorious past.  At the same time, the company had to be careful since past also-rans such as the front-engined, V8-powered 928 and the 924 were still fresh in their thoughts.  The result of intense market and technological research paid off when the company unveiled the Porsche Boxster in 1997. 

The Boxster, whether Porsche would like to admit it or not, borrows heavily from the influence of its corporate history especially the iconic 550 Spyder, the same car that cinema great James Dean drove to the afterlife, and the 356/1 racers of the 1950s.  Ultimately, the mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout serves as a symbol of the 550 racing cars that took the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race by storm in 1953.  Beyond the layout, the Boxster’s curvaceous front and rear ends point back to the bulging wheel arches of the Spyder.  The low-slung driving position, high side windows and the center exhaust pipe all point back to the modern car’s illustrious ancestor.

However, the Boxster isn’t just another retro vehicle.  In fact, more than anything, the Boxster shows why Porsche is the top dog when it comes to engineering and refinement.  The original Boxster released in 1997 only had a 201-hp 2.5-liter engine.  The engine featured a unique dry sump lubrication which meant that the engine can take more intense cornering as it’s less susceptible to oil deprivation.  Moreover, the engine can be mounted lower since it doesn’t require a separate oil pan that tends to take up space.

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