Whats New For 2014
New Cars Reviews - Participating in a full redesign last year, the porsche boxster gets an optional burmester audio system and a few of latest paint colours for 2014.
Introduction
Like george and weezy, the 2014 porsche boxster is movin on up. In fact, the previous generations on your boxster werent specifically slumming it -- inside the contrary. Roughly three hundredunited nations monitors. The unarme, 000 examples were sold throughout its 1st decade as well as a 1/2 production, creating it one of the many hottest convertibles inside the planet. However there was perpetually a distinct sense which it was the entry-level porsche, the one you settled for as a result of the 911 cabriolets asking value created you blush.
Thats in which the current boxster decisively turns the page.
Coming into its second year of production for 2014, the latest-generation boxster continues to be headline news in the country of premium convertibles. A number of that's attributable to the cars exemplary performance, however lets be honest : the midengine boxster has perpetually been a dream out to drive. No, what very sets this one apart is its newfound excellence in different respects.
Most notably, the styling has gone from cute out to curvaceous, even evoking the exotic carrera gt from bound angles, whereas the beautifully crafted interior has us thinking budget ferrari, particularly when using the optional two-tone leather trim. Is that the boxster still the entry-level porsche ? Technically, yes. However its suddenly one of the many most desirable porsches, too, unless youre holding out for your own $845, 000 918 spyder.
Negatives ? Well, there arent several, however there is that the customary four-speaker stereo, by way of example, that strikes us just like a rather cynical gesture due to most profitable automaker in the country. Rear visibility is poor when using the high up and mediocre even making use of it down, and also the boxsters separate front and rear trunks mean youve got not one, however 2 places where a golf bag wont fit. If youre within the mood out to look around, the 2014 bmw z4, 2014 chevrolet corvette stingray convertible and mercedes slk-class supply intriguingly totally different takes inside the premium-roadster formula, whereas the new 2014 jaguar f-type is an alluring if doubtless costlier different.
However heres the kicker : among this cluster of cars, the boxsters pricing is really quite reasonable, even with some alternative choices thrown in. True, the 2014 porsche boxster prices to a tiny degree more often its predecessor, however after you drive this convertible sports car, youll undoubtedly feel as if youre obtaining additional in come.
Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options
The 2014 porsche boxster may be a two-seat convertible offered in base and s trims.
The bottom model comes equipped with 18-inch wheels, a power-operated soft high, an automatically extending rear spoiler, heated exterior mirrors, cruise management, six-way adjustable seats ( power backrest, manual fore/aft and height ), a manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, air-conditioning, partial leather upholstery, bluetooth, a 4. 6-inch tft driver info show, a 7-inch color infotainment show as well as a four-speaker sound system with an auxiliary audio jack.
The boxster s adds a additional powerful engine, 19-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights and red-painted brake calipers.
As usual, porsche can happily double the value of those boxster if you really choose enough choices. The convenience package adds a wind deflector, heated seats and dual-zone automatic climate management. Upgrading onto the premium package nets those features and adaptive headlights ( bi-xenon for the bottom boxster ), auto-dimming mirrors, 10-way adjustable power sport seats ( with four-way power lumbar ), driver memory functions as well as a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. An expanded version on your premium package adds 14-way adaptive sport seats ( conjointly with four-way power lumbar ) onto the combine. The infotainment package gets a navigation system, satellite radio, hd radio, smartphone integration via the aha radio app, a usb port and either a 10-speaker bose audio system or maybe a significantly pricier 12-speaker burmester audio system.
Many of the on top of items -- the bose stereo and also the varied seat designs ( as well as heating and cooling functions ), by way of example -- can possibly be added separately, along side special wheel designs up out to 20 inches in diameter, electronic torque vectoring by having mechanical limited-slip rear differential, an adaptive suspension, ceramic composite brakes, variable-ratio steering, front and rear parking sensors as well as a sport steering wheel with pdk shift paddles. Serious driving enthusiasts ought to think about the skills chrono package, that adds dynamic transmission mounts ( aforementioned out to minimize weight transfer throughout gearchanges ), a lap timer, driver-adjustable chassis settings and, when using the pdk transmission, launch management. A sport exhaust system ( by having cool on/off button inside the center console ) is additionally obtainable.
Extra interior choices embody a heated steering wheel, voice controls, ambient lighting and various customization choices that could cover barely regarding any interior surface you wish with leather, aluminum, carbon fiber, wood trim or paint.
Powertrains And Performance
All boxsters utilize a rear-wheel-drive layout and either the customary six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed automated manual transmission called pdk. Porsche conjointly provides a regular ( and totally defeatable ) auto stop-start system out to conserve fuel whenever the car is stationary.
Below the hood, the bottom 2014 boxster rolls by having 2. 7-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine ( flat-6 ) rated at 265 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque -- 10 hp and 7 lb-ft below its hardtop cayman sibling, if youre scoring at home. The stick shift gets the bottom boxster out to 60 mph utilizing a shade below 5. 8 seconds, consistent with porsche, whereas pdk may be a tenth the most second quicker obviously and three-tenths quicker when using the sport chrono packages launch management. Epa fuel economy estimates are 20 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined when using the manual and an more impressive 22/32/26 with pdk.
The boxster s steps up to your 3. 4-liter flat-6 that churns out 315 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. In edmunds testing, an s model when using the manual transmission accelerated from zero out to 60 utilizing a swift 4. 9 seconds ; expect the pdk with launch management out to drop this point straight into the mid 4s. Fuel economy remains a powerful suit at 20/28/23 combined when using the manual and 21/30/24 with pdk.
Safety
Customary safety features regarding the 2014 porsche boxster embrace antilock disc brakes, stability and traction management, four airbags ( 2 in front you thorax/head airbag on every facet ) and rollover safety hoops on top of the headrests. In edmunds brake testing, a boxster s when using the customary ( non-ceramic ) brakes came to some stop from 60 mph in a quick 103 feet.
Note that boxsters equipped when using the stand-alone adaptive cruise management choice are additionally treated to actually porsche active safe, that uses the cruise-control radar to actually monitor collision probabilities up to actually 650 feet in front on your vehicle. The machine will operate even when cruise is inactive, and its emergency responses vary from merely priming the brakes to actually applying these with maximum force. Should that freaks you out, dont worry. You'll be able to flip it off.
Interior Design And Special Features
The boxsters cabin is nearly as hanging as its exterior styling. In distinction in the previous models forgettable interior layout, the current design shines, boasting top-shelf materials but a dramatic ( if button-heavy ) center console that borrows directly direct from executive-class panamera. Theres nary a sign of cost-cutting anywhere you look or bit ; this can be an environment thats absolutely commensurate with porsche costs.
Additional refinement is found within the convertible prime itself, that gets further sound-deadening material and currently yields one on your quietest enclosed rides of any soft-top roadster weve driven. The boxsters notorious blind spots stay, though. Therefore if youve got 10 seconds to actually spare and arent exceeding 31 mph, its usually best to store the highest down.
Because of its modestly stretched size and lower front seats, the 2014 boxster will accommodate taller passengers while not issue. Other then the two main trunks -- one front, one rear -- stay too small to actually swallow a golf bag or perhaps a significant bit of luggage, therefore their respectable 10 cubic feet of combined cargo house doesnt tell the total story. Inside the bright facet, rear trunk house is unaffected whenever the tops down, a distinct advantage relative to actually retractable-hardtop rivals much like the z4 and slk.
Driving Impressions
If you really drive a 2014 porsche boxster, chances are you wont need to come back the key. Compact dimensions, a midengine layout and porsches usual suspension-tuning magic join forces to supply a few on your best road manners altogether of autodom. The ride is firm other then seldom jarring, and also the handling doesnt get significantly better than this till you begin viewing sports cars with six-figure value tags. As sensible like the 911 cabriolet is, its a considerably larger car and keeping an engine within the rear axle doesnt facilitate its cause. Were not the initial to actually observe that a boxster with equal power may prove as being higher overall package.
In purpose of reality, the boxster s runs neck and neck by having base 911, and then truly depraved power fiends can realize its sonorous 315-hp flat-6 wanting. If you really fit that description, you could realize yourself musing that a trifle additional punch might possibly be welcome for uphill climbs. Sane folks, on another hand, can realize the bottom boxsters sweet engine a a little over willing companion, when using the s motor a pleasant other then maybe not altogether necessary indulgence.