Anniversary edition Porsche Boxster celebrates 25 years of benchmark roadster

Porsche is celebrating the 25th birthday of its benchmark two-door, two-seat roadster with a special anniversary model: the Boxster 25 Years. The commemorative edition will be produced in a series of 1,250 worldwide, and is based on the GTS 4.0 model powered by a 4.0-litre flat-six ‘boxer’ engine with 400 PS (294 kW).

The car incorporates a number of design features of the Boxster concept car first shown at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show and which initiated the success story of the open-top sports car. Taking its name from the combination of ‘boxer’ engine and ‘roadster’ styling, the production version launched in 1996 with hardly any changes in its visual appearance.

Over a quarter of a century, the Porsche Boxster has defined what an open-top sports car should be and core to its enduring appeal is the mid-engined layout that delivers renowned poise and balance combined with precise, agile handling. The model is now in its fourth generation and during this time, more than 357,000 have been built.

One of the most striking features of the new car is the reinterpreted colour Neodyme, a copper-like shimmering hue, which was first seen on the pioneering 1993 Detroit showpiece where it provided an exciting contrast to the GT Silver Metallic colour. For the contemporary 25 Years model, Neodyme is used to pick out the front apron, the side air intakes, the lettering and the unique design, two-tone 20-inch diameter alloy wheels. Once more, GT Silver Metallic is the highlight body colour, with Jet Black Metallic and Carrara White Metallic also available.

In keeping with the style of the historic original, the Boxster 25 Years combines a Bordeaux leather interior with a red fabric convertible top. The roof bears embossed Boxster 25 lettering. The interior and roof are also available in Black.

The high-gloss tailpipes of the sports exhaust system also catch the eye, while the windscreen surround is finished in contrasting Black. A further discreet detail is the fuel filler cap, enhanced by Porsche script from the Exclusive Design range and evocatively finished in an aluminium-like appearance.

An interior trim package in Aluminium, 14-way electrically adjustable sports seats, door sill trims with Boxster 25 motifs, LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Lighting System (PDLS), a heated GT multi-function sports leather steering wheel, and front and rear ParkAssist are just some of the additional feature highlights that extend the standard equipment list.

True to the open-roof, two-seat, roadster tradition, the Boxster 25 Years anniversary model offers pure exhilaration with the 4.0-litre flat-six engine of the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. With effortless response, exceptional power delivery and a rich sound, the high-revving 400 PS naturally-aspirated engine guarantees an especially emotive driving experience. A manual six-speed transmission is standard, with the seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) offered as an option.

The WLTP Combined fuel consumption of the Boxster 25 ranges between 25.9 - 28.0 mpg, equivalent to 247 - 230 g/km CO2 Combined.

The special model can reach a top speed of 182 mph where permitted and, in combination with the PDK gearbox and standard Sport Chrono package, can sprint from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in four seconds. Other standard features include the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) chassis, which offers a 10 mm lower ride height, and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical limited-slip differential. Together, these combine remarkable ride comfort with sporting, dynamic handling and responsiveness.

The new Boxster 25 Years is available to order from Porsche Centre Isle of Man from today, priced from £72,760.00 RRP. Deliveries will follow later in the Spring.

Please get in touch with Porsche Centre Isle of Man Brand Manager Matthew Jones on 01624 616161 or email matthewjones@jacksons.im .

A quarter century of pure driving pleasure: the Boxster family turns 25
The Boxster has a very special meaning for Porsche as it marked a re-orientation of the sports car manufacturer’s model strategy and provided a way forward during the difficult economic times of the mid-1990s. This was reflected in the first water-cooled production flat-six engine, and also in the intelligent carry-over parts concept that made its debut with the agile mid-engined roadster. This saw many components incorporated into the Type 996 generation 911, which was launched a year later and helped Porsche return to profitable production.

The attractively priced two-seater captured the hearts of new, younger customers from the start. In terms of looks, it incorporated core elements of the already renowned history of the brand. The visual appearance of the Boxster concept car shown in Detroit evoked images of the legendary 550 Spyder and the 718 RS 60 Spyder racing car. Its public reception was so overwhelming in January 1993 that the Porsche Executive Board intervened in the ongoing design development of the production model and encouraged the team to; “Build the concept car just like that”. As time would tell, it was a wise decision.

When the production model launched in August 1996, it bore a strong resemblance to the motor show star. Since it shared its front end with the Type 996 generation 911, there was no question about its lineage. The Boxster was a true Porsche. At the same time, its mid-mounted flat-six engine located literally in the centre of the car behind the seats, contributed to the responsive chassis dynamics. Initially a displacement of 2.5 litres with an output of 204 PS (159 kW), the innovative powertrain was engineered to meet stricter emissions standards thanks to water cooling, four-valve technology and variable intake timing.

An increase in power and further model enhancements followed soon after. The first Type 986 Boxster generation received a 2.7-litre engine in 1999, initially with 220 PS (162 kW) and later with 228 PS (168 kW). Upon its debut, the Boxster S was powered by a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine with 252 PS (158 kW), which soon became 260 PS (191 kW).

The Type 987 generation followed in 2004 with a refined design, 17-inch wheels and a redesigned interior as well as optional PASM with variable damping characteristics, PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake) ceramic brakes and the Sport Chrono package. With unchanged displacement, the engines delivered 240 PS (176 kW) and 280 PS (206 kW) respectively. By the end of their production period, engine outputs had reached 255 PS (188 kW) from a displacement of 2.9 litres and 310 PS (228 kW) from a displacement of 3.4 litres. The PDK gearbox also replaced the previously offered Tiptronic S automatic transmission.

In 2012, Porsche presented the comprehensively restyled and visually sharpened Type 981 generation Boxster. Thanks to a completely new lightweight body and a fully redesigned chassis, the newcomer was more muscular, more striking and faster than ever before. The all-electric fabric roof folded neatly away without a convertible top compartment lid, the axle overhangs were even shorter, and the windscreen was moved further forward. The more economical boxer engines came with direct petrol injection and started out as a 2.7 litre six-cylinder engine with 265 PS (195 kW) and a 3.4-litre engine with315 PS (232 kW). In April 2014, the Boxster GTS followed with 330 PS (243 kW). The Boxster Spyder was undoubtedly the highlight, with a 3.8-litre engine that caused a real sensation with 375 PS (276 kW).

The current Type 982 generation Porsche 718 Boxster set a new course in January 2016, making its debut with flat-four ‘boxer’ turbo engines and an enhanced design. The 2.0-litre motor delivers 300 PS (220 kW) and the 2.5-litre boxer engine 350 PS (257 kW) thanks to a variable turbine geometry turbocharger. The Boxster GTS followed shortly after with 365 PS (269 kW). In mid-2018, the new edition Boxster Spyder climbed to the top of the range. It shares a 420 PS (309 kW) 4.0-litre engine with the hard-top sporting flagship model, the 718 Cayman GT4. Since 2019, this six-cylinder mid-engine has also powered the 400 PS (294 kW) 718 Boxster GTS 4.0.