Porsche Boxster (2012) first official pictures

Porsche only pulled the covers off the new 911 Cabriolet at the 2012 Detroit motor show three days ago, but it’s already unveiling another convertible: the new Porsche Boxster. Faster, lighter, cleaner, more economical, and (most importantly) better looking than its predecessor, it will be officially revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, before going on sale in the UK on 28 April 2012.

It’s still recognisably a Boxster, but the headlights are now more vertically stacked, the doors are scalloped to flow into the bigger side intakes, a strong crease runs between the tail lamps and integrates with the pop-up rear spoiler, and every line and angle is just a little bit sharper and more dynamic. 

The Porschephiles amongst you would have also spotted that the folding fabric roof no longer has a panel to drop behind; instead the roof itself now doubles as the cover when the hood is stowed.

The Carrera GT is claimed as the inspiration for the interior, but to most it’ll just been seen as aping the latest 911, with only a different air vent design differentiating the two.

A lower weight (reckon on a 30-50kg saving), standard stop/start technology, new electo-mechanical steering, and thermal management for the direct injection engines help make the new Boxster up to 15% more fuel efficient than before.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard (the Boxster doesn't get the 911's seven-speed stick shift), and a seven-speed double-clutch PDK gearbox is an option. The Sport Chrono Package (with active engine mounts) and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear diff are also optional extras.

A basic Boxster comes with an Alcantara-trimmed interior, 18in wheels, Porsche's 7in PCM multimedia system, MP3 connectivity, a Sport button, and electric operation for the roof. Besides more power and torque, the Boxster S has 19in wheels, twin exhausts, bi-xenon lights and and a 'partial' leather interior. All buyers also get a complimentary course at Porsche's Experience Centre at Silverstone.  

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By Ben Pulman