The Boxster has always been a proper little sports car and the easiest way to get into the Porsche experience. The new 718 Boxster Spyder is, of course, much more special, with its visual and technical nips and tucks that make it look better and drive faster.
As the most agile version of the Boxster there is, the new 718 Spyder is based on the same underpinnings as the 718 Cayman GT4. It sits 30 mm (1.9 in) lower than the normal versions and adds high performance brakes, a limited slip rear differential, torque vectoring and a two-stage adaptive suspension.
2020 Porsche Boxster Is Great Value For Money, No Matter Where You’re From
Furthermore, the naturally aspirated flat-six is back and in this case, it comes from the 911, albeit (or is it thankfully?) without any turbos. The 4.0-liter unit produces 420 PS (414 hp / 309 kW) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque, for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds and a 301 km/h (187 mph) top speed. The lump, which is capable of revving up to 8,000 rpm and provides massive levels of pull from just about anywhere in the rev range, is connected to a six-speed manual transmission that makes driving even more engaging.
For an open-top sports car, the new 718 Boxster Spyder is surprisingly comfortable and actually quite practical. It has a well-built interior with premium touches, a relatively easy-to-use touchscreen display and a manually operated roof that might sound like a nightmare to lower or pull up, but is really quite simple once you get the hang of it.
At £73,405 ($89,212/€79,594) in the UK, about £2,000 ($2,431/€2,169) less than the Cayman GT4, the Boxster Spyder is pricey, to say the least, but it’s worth every penny.