Test drive Porsche Boxster 986 2002 - 2005 convertible

Wind speed

Porsche offers a unique combination of comfort, technical parameters and economy, for which people are not sorry for paying a lot of money - so one American magazine wrote half a century ago. The modernized Boxster is fully consistent with this old statement.
 
As a serial car, Porsche Boxster debuted in the fall of 1996 and immediately became extremely popular. The model turned out to be so popular that a year after its appearance, the sale of Stuttgart cars increased one and a half times. To satisfy unprecedented demand, Porsche AG managers transferred the production of Boxster to the Finnish Valmet plant in a small town of Uusikaupuka. Saab convertibles are still produced there, and once they collected Russian nine. Thus, the machine partly repeated the luck of the model 911. The characteristic lines of the front and the roll of the rear are talking about some kind of relationship of the 911th and Boxster. The rest of these magnificent cars have little in common.
 
When you look at Boxster, the first black automatically folded roof made of soft fabric is striking. To fold it, you need to pull the plastic ring at the junction of the roof and windshield, and then press the button near the manual brake. Exactly 12 seconds from the angular structure, there will be no trace - it will disappear in the compartment behind the seats. You can add and lay out the roof at a speed of up to 50 km/h. By order, a rigid removable top is established, which is suitable for car owners in the northern countries, for example in Russia.
 
The car has two luggage compartments, which are more than that of the contrast cows. The first, more spacious trunk is located where the engine is usually installed. The second is behind, behind the seats. It contains a jacket or a small bag. The total volume of departments is 280 liters.
 
Outwardly, the new Boxster differs from the predecessor with wheeled disks and more neat, clearly defined headlights. Thanks to the new optics in front, it is difficult to distinguish a novelty from the 911th. The side air intakes have become slightly larger.
 
The salon has changed dramatically. It is replete with expensive skin, among which handles and buttons painted under aluminum look stylish. Thanks to the new form of seats, the driver and passenger received more space. Chairs are delivered in four versions. Standard equipment provides only for the electrical adjustment of the back. Then the option with electrical adjustments in all directions is proposed. The third option is a sports leather seat also with all adjustments. The fourth is a sports leather seat with all adjustments and individual fitting side support.
 
A pleasant trip will be facilitated by the PCM (Porsche Communication Management) complex, which includes a tuner, a compact disc player, a navigation system and a mini-computer.
 
During an external inspection, it can be determined that ceramic brakes are installed on the new Boxster (this can be guessed by the yellow color of the pads). They maintain effectiveness even with multiple emergency braking. And the Porsche owner will have to slow down on the floor, since it is impossible to drive slowly on this car.
 
An amazing thing. With a cleaned roof at a speed of 150 km/h, the driver and passenger can talk, practically without raising their voice. This is the merit of excellent aerodynamic characteristics. And if it becomes cool, 10 degrees Celsius, then it is not necessary to close the roof. It is enough to configure climate control appropriately. The jets of warm air will make a further trip comfortable. Moreover, the coal filter is integrated into the system, so that in the convertible you can not be afraid for air purity.
 
A feature of Boxster, even in a simple version, without the letter S, is the possibility of rapid acceleration at high speeds. For example, Rogster can easily increase the speedometer readings from 150 to 200 km/h or from 200 to 250 km/h. At the same time, both the driver and the passenger will experience sensations similar to the flight on a jet aircraft.
 
Eight years ago, for the first time, a 2.5 -liter engine was installed on Boxster among the rear -engine cars with liquid cooling. Now he is replaced by other, more powerful and economical engines. The weakest has a volume of 2.7 liters and a power of 240 liters. p., which is 12 forces more than in the previous version. At the same time, the maximum speed is 256 km/h, and overclocking to hundreds takes 6.2 seconds. The characteristics of Boxster S are even more impressive. With a 6-cylinder engine of 3.2 liters (280 horsepower), the car is able to accelerate to 268 km/h. The mark 100 will appear on the speedometer after 5.5 seconds.
 
As for the transmission, a new 6 -speed gearbox is installed on the fastest sports option, which allows you to turn on the desired gears quickly due to the short course of the lever. Both on Boxster and Boxster S as an option it is possible to install a 5 -speed Tiptronic S system. It has two switching modes - automatic and manual. In the latter case, the transmission can be changed using the plus buttons and minus located on the steering wheel.
 
In addition to engines and KP, Boxster versions differ in wheels. 17 -inch discs are placed on the basic version, and 18 -inch on S - 18 inch. As an option, it is possible to install wheels of the 19th diameter.
 
Outstanding dynamic characteristics require additional protection. The upgraded Boxster was the world's first cobbler, equipped with a driver’s head and passenger head pillows. They are necessary for a lateral blow. In total, six pillows are installed on the new Porsche.
 
The sale of the new Boxster in Russia begins in December. Now these machines are in production. The most affordable option costs 55 900 euros. The top version with an S with a 3.2 liter engine will cost 66,600 euros.
 
Oksana Hartonyuk, Director of Marketing and Public Relations LLC Porsche Russland
 
- In Russia, all Porsche models are sold: Boxster, Carrera 911 and the Cayenne SUV - the leader of the lineup (it accounts for almost 75 % of sales). Boxster’s convertible in Russia is buying less than our other models, which, apparently, is associated with a cold climate. However, we count on an increase in sales by updating the machine.
 
European statistics say that Carrera 911 cars are mainly acquired by men aged 47-49 years. In the past, they already owned a sports car, which left a pleasant memory. Moreover, it was not necessarily Porsche. Our buyers Boxster are well aware of all sports models, understand technical nuances, are familiar with the history of brands. In other words, our customers do not make a random choice, they are loyal to the brand. The peculiarity of the Russian market of sports cars is that maschin is often bought as a gift for a wife or girlfriend.
 
As for the Cayenne SUV, its buyers, in principle, know little about the history of the brand. But these people are always in line with modern trends, acquiring the most fashionable and extravagant things.
 
Today, two official dealers in Moscow and St. Petersburg are working in Russia. The Moscow company sports center is a three-year-older, presented the functions of an importer, representing the Porsche brand in the Russian market. Since November 1, the importer has become Porsche Russland LLC. By the end of the year, another dealer will appear in Yekaterinburg. Now we are completing negotiations with the candidate. And, of course, a certain rate is placed on the southern regions of Russia, where, thanks to a warm climate, it is possible to fully operate sports cars all year.
 
Further development provides for the creation of its own center, one hundred percent of Porsche. In the center, the construction of which will begin at the beginning of next year, will be sold and maintaining cars, as well as training specialists.
 
Text: Stanislav Pavlov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [12/2004]