With its mid-engine design, the Porsche Boxster is one of the best-balanced cars on the road today. For 2011, Porsche is offering the Boxster Spyder, a lighter-weight, more intense version of the German convertible (Hmm, possibly one of the best ways to spend a sunny afternoon). I asked Jody Victor to give us some details.
Jody Victor: The 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder is more than just a limited-edition offering. It's the third machine in the Boxster lineup, joining the base and S versions. It features a manual soft-top and a host of changes to improve the Boxster's already impressive performance. But when it comes to creature comforts, the Spyder is a bit spare. In the name of weight savings, there is no radio or air conditioning, the door pulls are nylon instead of aluminum, and cupholders have been eliminated. However, leather-and-Alcantara sport bucket seats, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, bi-xenon headlights, cruise control, electronic brake differential, locking rear differential and lightweight 19-inch wheels are all included in the sticker price.
The missing radio, cupholders and power sport seats are all available to the buyer at no cost. A lithium-ion battery can be had and shaves about 22 pounds off the weight of the car compared with the standard battery. Standard safety features consist of dual front airbags, torso-protecting side airbags, head-protecting side airbags, fixed roll bars, a tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control and electronic stability control.
The 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder comes with only one engine and two transmissions. The engine is the same direct-injected 3.4-liter flat six as other Boxsters. However, it has been tuned to make 320 horsepower at 7200 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual. A 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) automated manual transmission is optional. EPA fuel-economy ratings haven't been announced, but they should be the same as or slightly better than the Boxster S's 19 mpg city?26 mpg highway with the manual transmission and 20/29 mpg with the PDK.
Thanks, Jody! We'll be sure to check it out!