Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
The car that saved the Porsche brand in the mid-90s was the Boxster, and it deserved a facelift after six years on the market, so the automaker made it.
When the German sports car manufacturer was in deep financial trouble in the early ‘90s, it considered creating a new lineup that would be more affordable than the 911. At the same time, the 928/968 models, with front engine and transaxle gearbox, were expensive to build. On the other hand, the Boxster shared its headlights, front fenders, hood, and doors with the 911, so it was cheaper to produce. Moreover, the flat-six engine and other underpinnings also slashed manufacturing costs. As a result, even though it was considered the “poor man’s Porsche,” the Boxster (986) was a proper sports car. Furthermore, in 1999, the automaker introduced the Boxster S fitted with a more potent engine that dropped acceleration times from zero to 100 kph (0-62 mph) in under six seconds, while the speed passed the 150 mph (241 kph) mark. Thanks to its engine placed in the middle, the car had a better weight distribution, and the fact that it lacked two seats in the back (like the 911) wasn’t a problem since nobody could sit there anyway. In 2002, Porsche refreshed the Boxster lineup, and besides some aesthetical changes and interior upgrades, it also improved the drivetrains.
Up front, there was a new set of headlights that sported titanium-gray covers for the turn signals. Its bumper was also slightly restyled and featured a set of side scoops with two horizontal slats. They were not just for decoration but used to grab air and cool the front brakes. Unlike the lesser-powered Boxster, the S version featured a third air intake in the middle of the apron.
From its profile, the titanium-gray blinkers mounted on the front fenders looked better than the old-looking orange ones from the 1999 model year. In addition, a keen eye for detail could spot the cross-drilled front brakes, which were unique for the Boxster S. If that wasn’t noticeable, then the red monoblock brake calipers were even more striking. Behind the doors, the automaker installed body-colored air intakes that fed the engine. Out back, the automaker introduced new taillights, with wider clear lenses for the blinkers and the reversing lamps. As expected, the rear trunk housed the Boxster S badge on it, while behind it was a retractable spoiler that automatically raised at higher speeds. Finally, underneath the bumper, in the middle, the automaker installed a dual exhaust, unlike its non-S sibling, which featured an oval-shaped tip.
Inside, the driver could finally see what was going on behind the car with the retractable hood up since the 2002 model year came with a glass rear window instead of the plastic one fitted on the pre-facelifted version. Both front seats had high-bolstered areas to keep their occupants in place during high-speed cornering maneuvers. Unlike the Boxster, which featured black dials in the instrument cluster, the S version had those white. In addition, it had a speedometer marked to 180 mph (300 kph for Europe).
Behind the cabin, the 3.2-liter flat-six (boxer) engine had a new and improved engine management and injection system provided by Bosch. As a result, the 2002 Porsche Boxster S offered 258 PS (255 hp) on tap, eight more than the non-facelifted version. But, just like that one, it was fitted with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic (Tiptronic). In addition, the automaker revised the car’s suspension for improved cornering speed.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.2L 5AT (260 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | H6 |
Displacement: | 3179 cm3 |
Power: | 191 KW @ 6200 RPM 260 HP @ 6200 RPM 256 BHP @ 6200 RPM |
Torque: | 229 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM 310 Nm @ 4600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 160 mph (257 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 225/40 ZR17 || 255/40 ZR17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 170.1 in (4321 mm) |
Width: | 70.1 in (1781 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.3/59.4 in (1,455/1,509 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 95.1 in (2416 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.1 in (104 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 9.2 cuFT (261 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2998 lbs (1360 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3682 lbs (1670 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 14.3 mpg US (16.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.4 mpg US (8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.2 mpg US (11.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 268 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.2L 6MT (260 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | H6 |
Displacement: | 3179 cm3 |
Power: | 191 KW @ 6200 RPM 260 HP @ 6200 RPM 256 BHP @ 6200 RPM |
Torque: | 229 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM 310 Nm @ 4600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 164 mph (264 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 5.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/40 ZR17 || 255/40 ZR17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 170.1 in (4321 mm) |
Width: | 70.1 in (1781 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.3/59.4 in (1,455/1,509 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 95.1 in (2416 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.1 in (104 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 9.2 cuFT (261 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2910 lbs (1320 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3593 lbs (1630 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.4 mpg US (15.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.2 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22.4 mpg US (10.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 255 g/km |