First Drive: 2013 Porsche Boxster S [Review]

For the first time since 1996, the world has an all-new Porsche Boxster.

And since we only get a crack at driving a brand new Boxster every decade or so, we decided we'd take advantage of the occasions and try out the sporty S version on and off the track at Porsche's racing school just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.

What's old is new
As with most Porsches, the latest Boxster - internally known as the 981 - isn't radically different from its predecessor, but the new roadster does have a few distinct differences. The 2013 Boxster is longer, wider and lower than the outgoing model, giving it a more more proportional look. Whereas the last-generation Boxster could look a little awkward from some angles, the latest iteration looks as smart as a well tailored suit.

Those not familiar with the Boxster may have a hard time picking the new car out from a crowd, but enthusiasts will appreciate the car's subtle design updates. Up front, the new Boxster gets a set of headlight inspired by the 918 Spyder. The look is not only handsome on the Boxster, it also helps differentiate the car from its bigger brother, the 911.

Move to the back to the new Boxster and you'll notice a clear inspiration from the Carrera GT supercar. In fact, Porsche brought along a 2005 Carrera GT so we could compare the two cars in the flesh.

Dual air inlets just aft of the doors carryover from last year's model, but the fully functional openings are now larger and designed to mimic the units used on the Carrera GT. You'll also notice that the shape of the rear of the Boxster is almost identical to the design seen on the Carrera GT. Unfortunately, the Carrera GT's integrated exhaust outlets didn't make it to the new Boxster.

Inside the Boxster there is more borrowing going on, with the two-seater adopting same general cockpit design found in the 911, Panamera and Cayenne. Although we'd like to see a little more differentiation between models, the layout works well, placing most of the car's important functions within close reach. The "fun controls" - the buttons that engage the car's sport modes, firm up the suspension and disengage traction control - are a little further off the beaten path, requiring either a good memory or a split second glance down.

As we griped with the new 911, our Boxster S test car came with four button blanks, which just seems a little low-rent in a car that lists from $60,900.

But keep your eyes up and you'll be more than pleased with the rest of the Boxster's interior. Although the design isn't the most exciting on the market, both materials and fit and finish are up to Porsche standards. However, if we were building our own Boxster S, we'd probably splurge for the leather interior option which covers up the plain looking plastic on the dash and door tops.

As with all modern Porsches, we have no complaints when it comes to the Boxster S' seating surfaces, which manage to hold you in place while still being comfortable enough for a long road trip.

Driving impressions
A quick look at the Boxster S' stat sheet reveals not much has changed for the 2013 model year, but a series of incremental changes has transformed it into a much better vehicle.

Let's start in the engine room. The Boxster S' 3.4-liter flat-six largely carries over, but Porsche engineers have managed to squeeze another 5 horsepower out of the mill (now up to 315). Torque remains unchanged at 266 lb-ft.

While those figures certainly aren't earth-shattering, keep in mind that, although the new car is longer and wider than the last-gen model, it is also 116 lbs. lighter. That means that performance is up across the board.

When paired with the Sport Chrono Package and Porsche's seven-speed PDK transmission, the Boxster S can accelerate from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, carrying on to a top speed of 172mph. The Boxster S' highway fuel economy has also improved by 1 mpg to a rather impressive 30 mpg.

Although we had plenty of fun testing the Boxster S' straight line speed, we came away most impressed with the car's handling prowess. The Boxster has never been a poor handling car, but the new car's stiffer chassis, wider stance and longer wheelbase make for a much more crisp driving experience.

In standard mode, the Boxster S is a pretty typical sports car - offering a good amount of grip with predictable understeer at the limit. However, put the car in Sport or Sport Plus mode and things start to get fun.

The Boxster S exhibits an almost physics-defying level of grip when slung through high-speed corners, with that previously mentioned understeer transforming into manageable oversteer. A lighter body and a fatter stance are certainly part of the reason for the Boxster S' improved driving dynamics, but credit must also be given to Porsche's optional torque vectoring system.

Boxster S buyers will have the option of a six-speed manual, but - as most Boxsters will be ordered - we sampled the optional dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox. Porsche's dual-clutch unit is among the best on the market, eliminating most of the low-speed clunkiness found in the majority of semi-automatic transmissions. However, the PDK really shines when you put the Boxster S on a track.

In the normal setting, the PDK feels like a snappy automatic, but dial in Sport Plus and the Boxster S goes into Beast Mode. Up-shifts are almost violent and the seven-speed does an excellent job of holding gears when you leave the computer to its own devises. If you want a little more control, PDK-equipped cars come fitted with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Porsche does offer a ceramic brake option for the Boxster S, but we'd probably skip that box. Even after several hot laps of the Barber Motor Sports Park, we couldn't detect even a hint of fade.

Leftlane's bottom line
As it seems to always do, Porsche has managed to make a good thing even better. The new Boxster S is faster, lighter and better looking than the old car, and is now solidified as the best roadster in the segment.

Although you could buy the most powerful versions of the Boxster's main rivals - the Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z4 - for about the same money, you won't want to. The Boxster S is simply that good. From a sedate daily driver to a track day hero, the new Boxster S does it better than anyone else in the segment.

2013 Porsche Boxster S base price, $60,900.