Porsche Boxster: A Little Sibling Rivalry

When Porsche rolled out the first Boxster (model 986) in 1996, it was widely seen as the "Baby Porsche" - a cheaper alternative to the more authentic 911. Its flat-6 engine with 201 hp wasn't the most powerful, and it wasn't the fastest car in its segment. To be honest, with its "scrambled eggs" headlamps, it wasn't even all that attractive. But, the idea stuck. People bought it. And, with its engine mounted mid-ship, the car was hailed for its balanced handling and athleticism.

A few years later, I came across a comparison seeking to find the best pure sports car based on the definition of "an open car designed for pleasurable driving". Basically, the comparison sought a fun, 2-door, convertible. Their top pick? The 911 of course. But the runner-up in a close competition for the crown? Well, that was the Boxster.

And that's what is so exciting for Porsche. Everyone expects the 911 to be a standard-bearer for performance cars. And, everyone is comfortable with the idea that the Boxster is tops in its segment. But what the comparison and subsequent road tests have shown is that Boxster is not simply trying to be the best in its class. It has its sights set on the 911.


986 Porsche Boxster

Of course, the 911 has never been one to rest on its laurels. Its looks may have stayed relatively unchanged for 50 years, but Porsche engineers have been pushing the envelope throughout its storied history.

Flash forward to 2013, and we see the Porsche engineers practically restraining themselves, trying to keep the Boxster from showing up its big brother. The range-topping Boxster S even uses the 911's 3.4L flat-6 for motivation - albeit slightly detuned. The result is 315 hp and 266 lb-ft torque, that combined with car's light weight help the car run virtually neck-and-neck with the base 911 by the numbers. There have even been those that have identified the Boxster as a better handler and more attractive.

The Boxster also gets the electronic nannies -- a littany of acronyms -- including Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM), and the PDK 7-speed transmission. All these features help the Boxster perform like a Porsche. Of course, they also add up and give this "baby" the price tag of a Porsche. When Motor Trend tested the Boxster S (First Test: Porsche Boxster S), their car rang the register at $87,125, more than $25,000 over the starting price.

So what  does Porsche really have on its hands, then? Is this a case of an embarrassment of riches? Or a branding nightmare that cannibalizes one of the premier nameplates in the automotive world?


2013 Porsche Boxster S

I first looked at this case in my last post (Supercars: USA vs. The World ), but to elaborate on the point, I think that the performance and success of the Boxster enables Porsche to push their brand to new levels. By establishing that the car can command a market value just shy, and even into 911 territory, Porsche is freed up to push the price of the 911 ever closer to the stratosphere occupied by the Italians.

Critics will argue that an $85,000 911 is more appealing to consumers than a $75,000 Boxster. However, in that instance you are comparing a rear-engine coupe to a mid-engine convertible: two totally different driving experiences. So, my counter is that they will not be cross-shopped.

So, it looks like Porsche has a winner: Two cars that are able to push each other by being the best at what they do. While I probably could have lumped the Cayman in based on its performance capabilities, I'm not convinced yet that its place in the market has been cemented like the Boxster.