With two seats, a mid-engine rear-wheel drive layout and folding soft-top, the Porsche Boxster is engineering's promise of driving pleasure. Two seats and an open-top definitely suggest carefree wind-in-your-hair freedom, while a mid-engine rear-wheel drive layout provides perfect balance for inspired handling.
Another massive plus is how Porsche's meticulous engineering has perfected the recipe for a good time out on four wheels. And as one of the more accessibly priced Porsches, it's a realistic touchstone (here in Singapore, at least) for fans of the Stuttgart-based carmaker keen on the brand's first production roadster since the 1955 race-ready Porsche 550.
In this Grand Turismo Sport (GTS) iteration, Porsche has improved upon the already impressive Boxster S by giving the car a racy GTS body kit, subtly boosted engine performance by 15bhp, and thrown in goodies like optimised performance in the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM) for greater dynamism, and race-car worthy interior trim.
And until the new Boxster Spyder makes its appearance, the Boxster GTS takes top spot within the lineup as the most powerful and engaging.
Exterior
Courtesy of Porsche's Grand Turismo Sport treatment, the Boxster GTS has been dressed up with a racier body kit that includes a unique front end with modified spoiler lip, a black finish exhaust and 20-inch Carrera S wheels.
Another massive plus is how Porsche's meticulous engineering has perfected the recipe for a good time out on four wheels. And as one of the more accessibly priced Porsches, it's a realistic touchstone (here in Singapore, at least) for fans of the Stuttgart-based carmaker keen on the brand's first production roadster since the 1955 race-ready Porsche 550.
In this Grand Turismo Sport (GTS) iteration, Porsche has improved upon the already impressive Boxster S by giving the car a racy GTS body kit, subtly boosted engine performance by 15bhp, and thrown in goodies like optimised performance in the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM) for greater dynamism, and race-car worthy interior trim.
And until the new Boxster Spyder makes its appearance, the Boxster GTS takes top spot within the lineup as the most powerful and engaging.
Exterior
Courtesy of Porsche's Grand Turismo Sport treatment, the Boxster GTS has been dressed up with a racier body kit that includes a unique front end with modified spoiler lip, a black finish exhaust and 20-inch Carrera S wheels.
As contrast, black accents feature prominently throughout the car, and extend from the rim around smoked bi-xenon head lights and the larger distinctive air vents at the side of the car to the black GTS lettering and badgework on the rear boot lid.
In the same way wearing a form-fitting shirt can help you cut a sharper figure, the Boxster GTS has grown 30mm longer (it's 4,404mm long) and sits 10mm closer (it's 1,273mm tall) to the ground than the Boxster S. Enhancements have given the car greater presence on the road, judged by the many passer-bys who turned back for a second glance.
The only contentious point though, is whether or not the passer-bys were actually admiring the car or the beautiful passenger beside me (I was driving with the roof down).
In the same way wearing a form-fitting shirt can help you cut a sharper figure, the Boxster GTS has grown 30mm longer (it's 4,404mm long) and sits 10mm closer (it's 1,273mm tall) to the ground than the Boxster S. Enhancements have given the car greater presence on the road, judged by the many passer-bys who turned back for a second glance.
The only contentious point though, is whether or not the passer-bys were actually admiring the car or the beautiful passenger beside me (I was driving with the roof down).
Interior
Coordinated with the Boxster GTS's visual aesthetic, the car's interior is just as performance orientated. Black leather upholstery with red contrast stitching features in abundance on the dashboard and door. The car's touch points, such as the centre of the electrically-adjustable sports seats, arm rest, door panels and lower section of the dashboard have been lined with alcantara for greater grip. Elsewhere, carbon fibre strip panels complete the interior styling, giving it a finish that you'd expect to find in the most exclusive (and pricier) sports cars.
On the car's instrument cluster, you'd find a high-revving tachometer with 'GTS' lettering, a 7,500rpm redline and a 4.5-inch colour display that can be toggled to display a chronometer or G-force gauge, among other information like tyre pressure and navigation. The rest of the car's interior, with its 7.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system and purposefully placed buttons is similar to a 'regular' Boxster.
Coordinated with the Boxster GTS's visual aesthetic, the car's interior is just as performance orientated. Black leather upholstery with red contrast stitching features in abundance on the dashboard and door. The car's touch points, such as the centre of the electrically-adjustable sports seats, arm rest, door panels and lower section of the dashboard have been lined with alcantara for greater grip. Elsewhere, carbon fibre strip panels complete the interior styling, giving it a finish that you'd expect to find in the most exclusive (and pricier) sports cars.
On the car's instrument cluster, you'd find a high-revving tachometer with 'GTS' lettering, a 7,500rpm redline and a 4.5-inch colour display that can be toggled to display a chronometer or G-force gauge, among other information like tyre pressure and navigation. The rest of the car's interior, with its 7.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system and purposefully placed buttons is similar to a 'regular' Boxster.
The Drive
While the Boxster GTS has received subtle performance boosts, the 330bhp and 370Nm of torque produced from its naturally aspirated 3.4-litre flat six engine is only 15bhp and 10Nm more than the power figures in the Boxster S. While the engine optimisation and Sport Chrono have combined to let the car make the century sprint in 4.7 seconds before topping out at 279km/h, it's the engineering trickery and the sports exhaust system that really give the car an impressively engaging character.
In Normal mode, the car deals with the humdrum of city driving without complains. The steering is progressive and its nifty size makes it easy to handle in and around the city. The ride comfort here is like an executive sedan, and the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (Porsche's PDK) shifts gears seamlessly. You'd get the roar of the engine when the car starts up and that's enough to let you smile and glee at what you could get out of the car with the touch of a button.
While the Boxster GTS has received subtle performance boosts, the 330bhp and 370Nm of torque produced from its naturally aspirated 3.4-litre flat six engine is only 15bhp and 10Nm more than the power figures in the Boxster S. While the engine optimisation and Sport Chrono have combined to let the car make the century sprint in 4.7 seconds before topping out at 279km/h, it's the engineering trickery and the sports exhaust system that really give the car an impressively engaging character.
In Normal mode, the car deals with the humdrum of city driving without complains. The steering is progressive and its nifty size makes it easy to handle in and around the city. The ride comfort here is like an executive sedan, and the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (Porsche's PDK) shifts gears seamlessly. You'd get the roar of the engine when the car starts up and that's enough to let you smile and glee at what you could get out of the car with the touch of a button.
When the roads do open up, engaging Sport mode brings the car and the exhaust to life. You can almost feel the car morph into a different person. The Boxster's feral race car qualities show up here with increased rigidity in the body, minimal body roll and a more engaging transmission that drags the gears out longer and downshifts earlier. The steering also tightens up in said mode, and steers the car exactly as you've intended.
One standout point, though, is that the level of comfort doesn't get compromised, and the car is as snug as your favourite desk chair. As you push the car, you hear the deeply bellowing growl peak with a snarl when the gears shift and crackle and pop whenever you lift off the throttle. Naturally, the orchestra is best savoured with the top down and the breeze in your hair.
Sport Plus though, is where Porsche's race car DNA gets expressed. The car performs as if it's on the racetrack, dragging the gears up to the redline before shifting. And once the revs drop, the transmission automatically drops down low to keep the car on the ready to go full throttle. Sport Plus does present a lot of fun on the racetrack when we had a go in the car on the technical Ascari racetrack, but on the roads here in Singapore, Sport Plus can feel a little too intense for an after-work drive in rush hour traffic.
The sweet spot: Sport. It harmoniously combines performance and emotion, and even gives one that feel-good-factor to know that there's a secret button for full-blooded fun - on track, of course.
One standout point, though, is that the level of comfort doesn't get compromised, and the car is as snug as your favourite desk chair. As you push the car, you hear the deeply bellowing growl peak with a snarl when the gears shift and crackle and pop whenever you lift off the throttle. Naturally, the orchestra is best savoured with the top down and the breeze in your hair.
Sport Plus though, is where Porsche's race car DNA gets expressed. The car performs as if it's on the racetrack, dragging the gears up to the redline before shifting. And once the revs drop, the transmission automatically drops down low to keep the car on the ready to go full throttle. Sport Plus does present a lot of fun on the racetrack when we had a go in the car on the technical Ascari racetrack, but on the roads here in Singapore, Sport Plus can feel a little too intense for an after-work drive in rush hour traffic.
The sweet spot: Sport. It harmoniously combines performance and emotion, and even gives one that feel-good-factor to know that there's a secret button for full-blooded fun - on track, of course.
We must admit that while road noise could permeate through the soft-top, it was something we hardly noticed as our ears were attuned to the orchestra playing from the exhaust. Going topless was our preferred mode of driving, but when it did rain, we were glad that the roof could operate in nine seconds and on the go of up to 50km/h without any tardiness.
Conclusion
We'll make no bones that the Boxster GTS doesn't feel that quick off the mark. But the point of the Boxster GTS was never really about being the speediest off the line or the quickest round the block. It's about being able to thoroughly enjoy the experience of going fast, and feeling emotionally fulfilled at the same time.
While the pictures will speak for themselves for the car's looks, the aural qualities and level of engagement we enjoyed in the drive, coupled with the car's ride comfort, is testament to how Porsche has managed to 'level-up' an already impressive Boxster S and made it so much more compelling.
And with a combined 280 litres of luggage space shared between the front and rear of the car, fitting in groceries or shopping bags is no hardship at all.
Conclusion
We'll make no bones that the Boxster GTS doesn't feel that quick off the mark. But the point of the Boxster GTS was never really about being the speediest off the line or the quickest round the block. It's about being able to thoroughly enjoy the experience of going fast, and feeling emotionally fulfilled at the same time.
While the pictures will speak for themselves for the car's looks, the aural qualities and level of engagement we enjoyed in the drive, coupled with the car's ride comfort, is testament to how Porsche has managed to 'level-up' an already impressive Boxster S and made it so much more compelling.
And with a combined 280 litres of luggage space shared between the front and rear of the car, fitting in groceries or shopping bags is no hardship at all.
