Displaying items by tag: boxster

Displaying items by tag: boxster The Philippines’ first and longest running on-line automotive magazine. http://kotse.com Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:44:46 +0000 Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management en-gb Porsche’s roadster evolution continues in the all-new 2013 Boxster http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/newly-launched/item/697-porsche-all-new-2013-boxster http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/newly-launched/item/697-porsche-all-new-2013-boxster

Words by John Luther Garcia | Photos courtesy of Porsche AG

At first glance, it would seem that Porsche only did an aesthetic refresh of the second-generation Boxster for its 2013 model. And yet, what you see here is actually the third-generation model (with an internal nomenclature of 987) and has been thoroughly revamped from bumper-to-bumper. Evolution in the eyes of the majority, but it is already as revolutionary as when the Boxster was first launched.

Take a second look and the details will slowly sink in. A longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs change the Boxter’s overall outline, while the shoulder line is now more visible courtesy of a deeper indentation along the doors that leads to the rear side air intakes. From the side profile, it's easy to see that the Carrera GT was the inspiration for these changes.

The rear end, however, has the more interesting sculpture with a small protruding tail that runs just above the rear bumper and connects the tail lamps. Smartly hidden just underneath the edge are turn signals and the central tail lamp that integrates both the fog and reverse lights.

Underneath the elegant body of the Boxster is an all-new aluminum chassis that's 55kg lighter, beating the trend of its competitors that gain weight for each new generation. And residing in the middle of the car is the revised direct-injection 265 hp 2.7L flat-six engine; the Boxster S gets the more powerful 315hp 3.4L. Compared to the old model, both have a modest power increase of 10 and 5hp respectively, yet it boasts of a 15 percent fuel economy improvement. A six-speed manual is standard, while the seven-speed dual-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK option) is also available and should offer better mileage and performance. Equipped with PDK, the Boxster will go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4s and the Boxster S in just 4.7s.

Porsche Torque Vectoring is new to the Boxster and can brake the inside rear wheel during sporty driving. Bigger brakes that are taken from the 911 Carrera are standard as well. If that’s not enough and you want to encroach on Cayman territory, ceramic composite brakes and the new Sport Chrono Package (SCP) are also available. For the Sport Chrono Package (SCP), it has for the first time a dynamic transmission mount that can be adjusted whether you want a track set-up or an everyday office-run.

While it used to be a joke that someone only buys a Boxster because they didn’t have enough cash for a 911, it’s not the case anymore. The Boxster has finally grown to be THE roadster of choice in the Porsche line-up. It might not be the fastest car around, but given an open twisty road and with the top down, it’s the epitome of why the Boxster has been that successful.

]]> Newly Launched Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:48:27 +0000 The Porsche World Roadshow: A day with 10,000 horsepower http://kotse.com/home/index.php/features/item/684-porsche-world-roadshow http://kotse.com/home/index.php/features/item/684-porsche-world-roadshow

Words by Ferman Lao | Photos by Christopher Kho

Ok, perhaps it's not exactly 10,000, but with the least capable vehicle available for testing producing almost three times more than your typical subcompact, while the most powerful easily over 500, to it's easy be lulled into thinking that the day's selection had a total power output was within that region... or a bit more. In fact, the experience could undoubtedly be the automotive equivalent of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's “The Greatest Show on Earth.” This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Porsche World Roadshow = a day wherein every model in the Porsche catalog are driven in the manner they were designed to be driven, made possible only by Porsche AG and PGA Cars Inc.

Warming up

The show starts bright and early with a hearty breakfast, ensuring every participant has more than enough energy to last the entire day; not that you needed it, given the amount of rare metal in the lineup. Albeit the quick brief on the day's activities does nothing to prepare one for what lies ahead, the lead instructor's closing caveats is enough to get our hearts racing when he said: “While we want you to have the full experience of what it's like driving a Porsche and we want you to push the cars, we also want you to keep safe. When you are in a car and think of doing something silly, make sure you've chosen a car with a color you like.” At least, that's what I think he said. In any case, the message is clear.

The morning intro was followed by the unveiling of the newest star in the day's show, the all-new Porsche 911. Based on the new 991 platform, the new 911 is lower, wider, and longer than its predecessor. And the best part is we won't just be cruising around in a regular Carrera, but in the more potent 400 hp 3.8L Carrera S.

Then, we were led to a quick and humorous lesson on the basic driving positions that one should never be caught dead doing in a Porsche, capped off by what's proper. Interestingly, there were a couple of new details that even jaded motoring hacks haven't heard of.

Later on, the day's attendees were broken up into groups, each with their own assigned instructor. Ours let us know early on that there'll be a short driving competition amongst the teams as part of the activities further in the day. Simply put, he wants to be the instructor of the winning team. Everyone loves a winner; that's for sure.

Giving it some stick

First grind of the day was the handling exercise. With two drivers assigned per car, each discerning soul gets two laps around Clark International Speedway's (CIS) South Short Course; after which, you hop onto the next car until you get seat time in all four Porsche's available for play. On the “to drive list” were two brand-spanking new Porsche 991's, a 911 Carrera GTS, and a yellow Cayman S.

We weren't allowed though to touch the immaculate 911 GT3, which was used by our instructor to lead the pack. “Keep up and keep it tight, gentlemen,” the radio cackles.

After just a few laps behind the wheel, I swear we've died and gone to automotive heaven. Each Porsche we switched to exactly communicates the difference between the one before it and which one will be right for you. I now know, when I get a Porsche, it's going have to be in white.

On new terrain

Next exercise in store was the road tour. Contrary to the flat out driving we did on track, here, we got the chance to enjoy a relaxing drive in a different set of Porsche's on normal road conditions. We got to taste a slice of the good life in a Panamera, 911 Targa, 911 Turbo, and yet another 991. Hmmm... the glass roof looks good on white, and it's got to be a Turbo.

After the road tour, we are taken off-road to try out the Cayenne's capabilities. Even with its 20-inch rims, we tackled a smorgasbord of steep descends, deep ruts, and 30 degree side crawls which succinctly demonstrated just how adept the Cayenne was even on the rough stuff. It definitely was an exercise not normally associated with Porsche's. Perhaps, I should consider an SUV.

We were then led on to the CIS' North Short Course where we were given the chance to find out for ourselves what oversteer and understeer really meant in nothing less than a Porsche Panamera, Panamera Turbo, Cayenne Hybrid, and Cayenne Turbo. At 2 kilometers, the North Short Course is identical in length as the South Short Course, except that with its long straights, speeds in these German supercars could easily pass the 120 km/h mark. Do it wrong and understeer and oversteer will never be demonstrated more clearly. While trail braking helps, Porsche's Stability Management can turn any regular Joe into a Walter Röhrl with a press of a button labelled PSM. It was also the only switch on all the cars that we aren't allowed to fiddle with. “Touch everything except the PSM switch” echoed in our ears. Let's just call it the “Please Save Me” button.

The greatest show on Earth

The final event of the day was the driving competition in a lovely Boxster Spyder. It was a short chicaned course designed to demonstrate that, despite the brute force every Porsche is capable of, driver skill and finesse are still the keys to winning. All sorts of excuses were heard here from the drivers.

As the sun began to set, the show ended all too quickly but not before taxi rides were given to the attendees with our experienced grand prix driving instructors at the helm. We witness up close just what a Porsche, in the right hands, is truly capable of. How we wished that this was the first activity of the day, but then again, everyone agrees that hotdogs are best on buns or sticks, not in showboats. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's definitely got nothing on The Porsche World Roadshow. This has got to be the greatest show on Earth. Plus, I now know which Porsche I want.

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