Design Porsche Boxster

Design Porsche Boxster

For 2013, the slightly cherubic, overtly retro skin has molted, replaced by more menacing sheetmetal that’s suggestive of supercars such as Porsche’s own upcoming 918 hybrid.

When we first drove the latest Boxster S, we detailed how its innards had metamorphosed as well, with a longer wheelbase, more passenger space, a wider track for more-sure-footed handling, and weight reduction in key areas. A subsequent instrumented test of a six-speed-manual ’13 Boxster S revealed more exotic tendencies—nearly 1.00 g of skidpad grip, a Ferrari 458 Italia–like 147-foot stopping distance from 70 mph, and a 911 Carrera–matching 4.4-second 0-to-60 sprint.

Beyond its lightning-quick operation, the PDK is almost clairvoyant. Push the Sport Plus button, and the transmission is your little shifting sidekick, one that uncannily knows what your next gear choice will be before you do.

Although the PDK does give up the mechanical feel and the organic sports-car sweat equity when you—and you alone—are in control of your gearswaps, there’s something to be said for avoiding the touchy, feely, shifty thing in stop-and-go commuter gridlock. And Porsche’s dual-clutch box will keep you fairly entertained even when you manage to find a traffic-free stretch of serpentine asphalt. We still prefer driving with the stick—Save the Manuals! but we have little issue with anyone who opts for the PDK.