2008 Porsche Boxster

NEW FOR 2008:

- Optional folding sports bucket seats

- Recommended oil change interval now 20,000 km or one year; recommended spark plug replacement now 60,000 km or four years

- New RS60 Spyder model

- Exterior colour: Macadamia Metallic added; Atlas Grey Metallic replaces Lapis Blue Metallic, Malachite Green Metallic replaces Lagoon Green Metallic, and Ruby Red Metallic replaces Carmona Red Metallic

- Interior colour: Carrera Red added; Palm Green deleted; air vents are now soft-touch matte black instead of Volcano Grey

Having received new engines in 2007, the Porsche Boxster and Boxster S are unchanged, save for optional folding sports bucket seats. Essentially a race seat with a folding backrest, the seats are reinforced with carbon fibre and are seven to nine kg lighter than the conventional seats, but still contain side-mounted head and thorax air bags.

The Boxster contains a 2.7-litre flat-six engine, while the Boxster S uses a 3.4-litre flat-six. The Boxster uses a five-speed manual that can be optioned to a six-speed manual, or to a five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with manual shift mode; the Boxster S uses a six-speed manual or Tiptronic.

The new RS60 model also uses the 3.4-litre six, but whereas the Boxster S makes 295 hp, the RS60 makes 303 hp. It's in homage to the 718 RS60, which took the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1960. For that reason, it's limited to 1,960 vehicles, but only 800 of them will be sold in North America.

Features on the Boxster include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, four-piston calipers with ventilated brake discs, head and thorax side airbags, anti-theft system with interior sensor, keyless entry, heated mirrors, tire pressure monitoring system, three-spoke leather-wrapped wheel, on-board computer, lockable glovebox and storage compartment, CD player, garage door opener, cruise control, illuminated vanity mirrors, black instrument dials, power windows, heated seats, automatic extending rear spoiler and power top with heated glass rear window.

The Boxster S adds 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, light grey instrument dials and upgraded stereo.

Features setting the RS60 apart includes its "GT Silver Metallic" paint, the only colour available, along with 19-inch wheels, an RS60-labelled door entry sill plate, unique gauges with no dash cover, embossed leather panels and steering wheel, completely red taillights, a larger rear window in the soft top (available in red or black), and black windshield surround and pillars.

Available Boxster options include a hard top, bi-Xenon headlamps, wind deflector, colour-matching painted roll bar, Sport Chrono package, sport exhaust system, navigation system and electronic log book.

One of the great driving experiences, the Boxster provides superb handling, aerodynamic styling and wonderful engine response in both models. The bigger engine gets the press, but don't discount the Boxster, which displays an almost perfect power-to-weight ratio. An incredibly long list of options and custom items makes it possible to personalize the Boxster to one's unique taste, but the price rises quickly with each addition.