Porsche is presenting the second generation of Boxster and Cayman at the Los Angeles Motor Show. The highlight of the new generation is of course the new boxer engines developed with new technical features from the ground up, delivering not only more power, but also a lot more fuel-efficiency than their predecessors.

A further improvement of both fuel economy and performance is guaranteed by the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or PDK for short, Porsche's new and revolutionary double-clutch gearbox. The second generation of the Boxster and Cayman stands out clearly at first sight through the new, individually designed front and rear panels with even larger halogen headlights plus integrated direction indicators and new LED rear lights.
In the Boxster the 2.9-liter "basic" power plant develops 255 bhp (188 kW), with an even more powerful 265 bhp (195 kW) in the Cayman, that is an increase by 10 and, respectively, 20 bhp over the two former models. The 3.4-liter engine boasted in the S versions, benefiting from Direct Fuel Injection, now delivers 310 bhp (228 kW) in the Boxster S and 320 bhp (235 kW) in the Cayman S, an increase by 15 and, respectively, 25 bhp. And with their very low level of emissions, both power units naturally fulfill the ULEV emission standard in the USA and EU5 in Europe.

Offering an outstanding power-to-weight ratio between 4.2 kg (9.3 lb)/bhp in the Cayman S and 5.2 kg (11.5 lb) in the Boxster, all models in the range give the driver maximum performance on minimum fuel. This is also why the Cayman S with PDK and activated Launch Control in the optional Sports Chrono Package accelerates to 100 km/h or 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds, with the "slowest" model, the Boxster with its six-speed manual gearbox now featured as standard, completing the same dynamic exercise in an equally expressive 5.9 seconds.

Equipped with Porsche's PDK double-clutch gearbox or Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, both the Boxster and the Cayman for the first time consume less than nine liters per 100 kilometers: To be specific, the models with the new 2.9-liter boxer engine require just 8.9 liters/100 kilometers according to the EU4 standard, equal to 26.3 mpg US, 11 per cent less than their respective predecessors with Tiptronic S. And reducing fuel consumption by an even more impressive 16 per cent to 9.2 liters/100 kilometers, equal to 25.5 mpg US, the increase in fuel economy on the 3.4-liter versions with PDK is even greater in comparison with their Tiptronic S predecessors.

The New Porsche Boxster and Boxster S: Two Dynamic Power Machines with Supreme Fuel Efficiency

The Porsche Boxster is continuing to expand its lead as the trendsetter in the two-seater open sports car segment. Already acknowledged as a lightweight athlete with lots of power on very little fuel, Porsche's mid-engined roadster now entering its second generation is becoming an even greater performer on even less fuel than ever before.
The highlight of the new generation is the six-cylinder boxer engines developed as completely new power units from the ground up, displacing 2.9 liters in the Boxster and 3.4 liters in the Boxster S. Indeed, these engines belong to the same family as the particularly efficient power units introduced only recently in the 911 model series.

The new "basic" engine now develops maximum output of 255 bhp (188 kW) at 6,400 rpm, up 10 bhp over the previous model with 2.7 liters capacity. Featuring Direct Fuel Injection, the six-cylinder in the Boxster S churns out 15 bhp more than before, now offering 310 bhp (228 kW), again at 6,400 rpm.

Clearly, this gives both roadsters a truly outstanding power-to-weight ratio, each horsepower in the Boxster now required to move only 5.2 kilos or 11.5 lb, while on the Boxster S the power-to-weight ratio is even better at 4.4 kg/bhp or 9.7 lb.

For the driver this means maximum performance on minimum fuel, particularly with the likewise brand-new Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or PDK for short. Featuring this unique double-clutch gearbox, the Boxster S accelerates to 100 km/h or 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, the "regular" Boxster with PDK completing the same exercise in just 5.8 seconds. At the same time these outstanding two-seaters are more fuel-efficient than ever before, consuming 8.9 liters in the Boxster (equal to 26.3 mpg US) and 9.2 liters (equal to 25.5 mpg US) in the S model, in each case according to the EU4 standard and with PDK transmission. It almost goes without saying that both power plants fulfill the strict EU5 and ULEV emission standards.

The New Porsche Cayman and Cayman S: Self-confident looks

The new Boxsters are understandably very self-confident and even proud in their appearance, the extra-large air intakes characterizing the superior look of both models and accentuating their superior performance. On the Boxster two of the crossbars integrated in each side on the outer air intakes are finished in body color, on the Boxster S they come in black.

The LED positioning lights and foglamps now in horizontal arrangement come above the side air intakes. The direction indicators, in turn, are integrated in the new halogen headlights which, through their two-tube look, are reminiscent of the legendary Carrera GT.

As an option both Boxsters are available with new bi-xenon headlamps with a daytime light function, dynamic curve lights, a headlight washing system and automatic headlight range control. The separate LED daytime driving lights take the place of the foglamps whose function is now performed by the bi-xenon headlamps optimized for perfect light spread and illumination to the side.

PDK: shifting gears more quickly, improving fuel economy by up to 16 per cent

Both Boxsters are now available for the first time with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or double-clutch gearbox derived from motorsport and replacing the former Tiptronic S transmission. PDK comes with seven gears and is made up of two transmission units each connected to the drivetrain through their own clutch. One transmission unit comes with gears 1, 3, 5 and 7 as well as reverse gear, the other comes with gears 2, 4 and 6. Gears are shifted very fast, with supreme smoothness and without the slightest interruption of traction, the clutch on one transmission unit opening up and the clutch on the other transmission closing at exactly the same time for an ongoing flow of power.

This entire process takes place automatically in selector lever position D, while the driver is also able to shift gears manually via paddles on the steering wheel or with the selector lever in the middle. In each case the process of disengaging and engaging the clutch is fully automatic, without requiring any intervention on the part of the driver.
PDK improves not only motoring comfort, but also allows even better performance and greater fuel economy than on the manual gearbox models. As a result, the Boxster S, benefiting from the uninterrupted flow of power, accelerates to 100 km/h or 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, the Boxster completing the same exercise in 5.8 seconds.

On the Boxster S fuel consumption is down by no less than 16 per cent to 9.2 liters/100 kilometers or 25.5 mpg US versus the former model with Tiptronic S, thanks to the optimum shift points and transmission ratios offered by PDK. The "basic" model equipped with PDK even remains below the nine-liter mark, fuel consumption of just 8.9 liters/100 kilometers (equal to 26.3 mpg US) representing a decrease in fuel consumption by 11 per cent versus the former model.

Equipped with PDK, the new models accelerate to 100 km/h or 62 mph 0.2 seconds faster than before thanks to the new Launch Control with electronic power management ensuring optimum acceleration from a standstill.
Launch Control is activated by the Sport Plus button which, in conjunction with PDK, comes both on the optional Sports Chrono Package and on the likewise optional Sports Chrono Package Plus. The latter is available exclusively in combination with Porsche's optional PCM Communication Management and offers both an additional performance indicator and an individual memory function.

The Sport Plus button also comes with a particularly sporting gearshift strategy for the PDK double-clutch gearbox ideally suited for the race track.

Yet a further feature on both equipment packages is the particularly sporting set-up of other vehicle systems available at the touch of a button – for example engine management, PSM Porsche Stability Management, and the optional PASM suspension.