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Porsche deserves a lot of credit in designing an interior that’s a mix of elegance and sportiness with some interesting details. The plastic, leather and carbon fiber trim all fit coherently together to make the cabin a comfortable and sophisticated command center that’s as intimidating as it is beautiful. Some details that are particularly unique with this car include the three-piece instrumentation cluster with digital speedometer, the German language climate control system (when was the last time your read manuell instead of manual?) and the 6-disc in-dash changer system with individual slots for each CD. (Of course, the real music comes from right behind the driver’s compartment in the form of a 2.7-liter flat-6 engine). The ergonomics are not necessarily perfect in this Boxster since the controls for the radio and air conditioning are set too high for easy reach during cruising. On the other hand, all the basic controls such as the steering wheel, gearbox and even the handbrake, all fall within easy reach. One big difference between the Boxster and the usual sedan is that the steering wheel is almost completely vertical. Although this may seem awkward, it becomes natural after a few minutes behind the wheel. The folding roof is also designed to chop off the least headroom space when raised. The entire process is fun to watch as it only takes 12 seconds for this Porsche to fold away its fabric top (that’s precisely how long the Toyota MR2 Spyder takes to reach 120 km/h). Unfortunately, in the process, Porsche wasn’t able to fit a proper rear windscreen: it’s scratch-resistant plastic instead of glass. This may not be good in the long-run since plastic windows have the tendency to discolor and turn yellowish after a few years. Overall, the Porsche Boxster is one unique car that easily stands above the crowd in any occasion. It’s a merger of modern technology with 1950s styling and detail. It’s a proclamation of what made Porsches so well-known, while at the same time a marker to where the brand is headed. People don’t necessarily need to learn the history of Porsche to appreciate this car, and others don’t even have to drive the car to be in awe of it. Nonetheless, for those looking for an exciting two-seater car capable of everyday use and still giving the flair and the handling prowess worthy of track racing, the Boxster is definitely one of the best choices out there. For the more extreme crowd, Porsche is also offering another variant of the Boxster: the Boxster S. The major change here is that the engine has been replaced by a 3.2-liter flat-6 engine capable of 25 bhp at 6250 rpm and 31.1 kg-m at 4500 rpm. For other folks who can admit to being a kid at heart, the 2.7-liter Boxster is an excellent combination of sports car and GT cruising all rolled into one convincing little package that’s definitely the epitome of Porsche. |
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