We’ve done a fair few international launches on crankandpiston over the years, but it’s rare that one leaves us feeling so bewildered. That’s certainly not a criticism to any and all manufacturers currently reading this whose jaunts abroad we’ve immensely enjoyed and taken a great deal of insight from. But the recent international launch of the new Porsche Boxster S in Germany has left me scratching my head.
To paint the scene for you, I’m currently outside the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, with an invite from Porsche for the launch of their new Boxster safely nestled in my pocket. And currently I’m at a loss for words at the rainbow array of the aforementioned machines on display. There must be nearly two-dozen of them, from Guards Red to Racing Yellows and Aqua Blue complete with black leather interior.
One that’s particularly caught my eye is the Platinum Silver Boxster S with red leather interior and matching roof and calipers. A bit outlandish true, but at the same time cleverly thought-out and striking. Rather like, now that I think about it, the new Boxster itself.
If we’re being completely honest, Boxsters of old had a tendency to look a bit – how do I say this? – feminine: sleek and stylish, and an excellent demonstration of delicate craftsmanship. But that’s just it: ‘delicate’. This term does not exactly hint that ‘energetic’ or ‘brutish’ will be characteristics of the drive. Let’s not forget that with each passing iteration of the Boxster, the boys and girls in Stuttgart work to significantly improve the formula yet simultaneously not step on the 911’s more powerful toes.
This new generation though is really something else. Certainly the irreplaceable Porsche DNA – or ‘design language’ – is evident, but the curves are more angular than before, and the whole package is somehow more…aggressive. All of a sudden there’s more character. More oomph! Take, for example, the air inlet scoops behind the doors, which are now more imposing than the smaller, more circular ones they replace. There’s the re-designed front bumper, the more elongated/streamlined headlights and the oh-so-subtle inbuilt rear wing between the new LED taillights. Plus 18” alloys. Together they invoke a presence I just had not expected to see on a Boxster. And I like it!
