Success Story: 15 Years Of The Boxster Model Line

Stuttgart. A nice round number to celebrate the birthday: Almost exactly 15 years to the month after production began, the Porsche Boxster together with its sister model, the Cayman, exceeded the 300,000 mark for the number of vehicles built. Together with its timeless attractiveness, this two-seater, mid-engine car from the Dr. Ing. h.c.H. Porsche AG, Stuttgart has what it takes to make yet another sports car icon. As an anniversary model, a Boxster Spyder with Platinum Silver metallic finish and Carrera red natural leather interior trim rolled off the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen production line in June, destined for a German customer.

There are solid reasons for this long-standing success: The Boxster and Cayman are continuously developed based on a rigorous mid-engine concept and are therefore deemed to this day to set the standard for sports cars of their class. In the important export market that is the United States, this is the tenth year already that they have been ranked among the “10 Best” vehicles and occupy second and third places in Germany as the vehicles that hold their value the best, hot on the heels of the 911.

The Boxster’s origins testify to the typical Porsche blend of capability, courage and farsightedness. In economically straitened times the company decided to go onto the offensive and unveiled a concept car for a classic mid-engine roadster at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show. In its design language, the show car was reminiscent of the 356 »No. 1« and the 550 Spyder. The overwhelming public response clinched the decision to proceed to series production of the Boxster, which began in the summer of 1996.

Dynamic lines, outstanding performance and an attractive price quickly catapulted the mid-engine sports car into the bestseller list while attracting new customer circles to Porsche. To put the successful concept on a broader basis, Porsche also developed a Coupé based on the open-topped, two-seater platform, that made its world debut at the 2005 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show as the Cayman. The enormous demand resulted in the Boxster and Cayman being built at Valmet Automotive in Finland in addition to Zuffenhausen.

The model range currently comprises the four open-topped variants, the Boxster, Boxster S, Boxster S Black Edition and Boxster Spyder. These are complemented by the Cayman, Cayman S, Cayman S Black Edition and Cayman R Coupés. The engine variants for the two model lines range between 255 hp (~ 188 kW) and 330 hp (~ 243 kW); thanks to Porsche Intelligent Performance fuel consumption is between 9.4 l/100 km (~ 30 mpg imp.) and 9.8 l/100 km (~ 29 mpg imp.).

Significantly reduced fuel consumption with each model change.

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, continues to consistently target fuel economy with each model change. Depending on the model, the savings achieved by all currently available model series in comparison with the corresponding predecessors lie in the double-digit percentage range whilst simultaneously offering significantly increased performance. With consumption reductions of 20 to 23 percent in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the savings achieved by the new generation of Cayenne models are the highest. However, the new generations of the 911 and Boxster/Cayman sports car model series launched in 2008 also revealed savings of up to 16 and 15 percent respectively.

In the sports cars with naturally aspirated engines, the vast majority of these reductions, 0.5 and 0.6 l/100 km respectively, is attributable to the switch to direct fuel injection and the introduction of the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) instead of the five-speed automatic torque converter transmission Tiptronic S. These measures also enabled a 911 vehicle to dip beneath the mark of ten litres of fuel per 100 kilometres for the first time: the 345 hp 911 Carrera with PDK consumes just 9.8 l/100 km. In comparison with the predecessor model, this equates to 13 percent less fuel consumption and 15 percent lower CO2 emissions. The Boxster and Cayman models are also benefiting from the new drivetrain technology. Direct fuel injection and PDK allow fuel consumption in both the 310 hp Boxster S and the 320 hp Cayman S to be reduced by 15 percent to 9.4 l/100 km.

More power with lower consumption, increased efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions – this basic principle of the “Porsche Intelligent Performance” programme also particularly applies to the new Cayenne model series. The two six-cylinder Cayenne and Cayenne Diesel models therefore consume 20 percent less fuel than their predecessors, whilst fuel consumption in the two V8 Cayenne Turbo and Cayenne S models has actually been reduced by 23 percent. The new highlight within the model series – the Cayenne S Hybrid – offers the greatest fuel economy: it consumes just 8.2 l/100 km. If the Cayenne S Hybrid, with its total power output of 380 hp, is compared against the 385 hp Cayenne S from the previous generation, the reduction is actually 40 percent with better performance in certain disciplines. Three out of five Cayenne models remain beneath the mark of ten litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC, with two offering CO2 emissions of less than 200 g/km.

Amongst other measures, this significant reduction in consumption across the entire Cayenne range has been attained via the introduction of the new eight-speed automatic transmission Tiptronic S with automatic stop/start function and a wide gear ratio range, due to thermal management for the engine and transmission cooling circuit, by vehicle electrical system recuperation and variable deceleration fuel cutoff and, by no means least, due to weight reduction and intelligent lightweight construction. A weight-optimised material mix and modifications to the overall vehicle concept such as the new active and light four-wheel drive system have enabled the weight of the Cayenne Turbo, for instance, to be reduced by 185 kilograms despite improved product substance and increased safety. This not only impacts extremely positively on consumption and CO2 emissions but also on performance, agility and handling.

Total sales in over the financial year increase by 17 percent in the USA

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, continued its upward trend in the US market in July. The manufacturer of premium sports cars delivered 2,703 units to customers, which corresponds to an increase of around 75 percent compared to the same month last year. All in all, Porsche sold 22,180 vehicles in the USA in the last financial year, which ended on July 31, 2010; around 17 percent more than the previous financial year.

The increase indicates that Porsche is also back on the path to success in its largest sales market following the global financial and economic crisis.

Sales of the Panamera continue to develop excellently. 807 units of the four-door Gran Turismo were delivered in July. This is the highest number since the series was introduced on the US market on October 17, 2009.

Selling even better is the new generation of the Cayenne SUV, which has been available in the USA since June 2010. 910 units of this series were delivered in July, an increase of around 68 percent compared to the same month last year.

Sales of the 911 series decreased by about nine percent to 594 vehicles, while those of the mid-engine Boxster and Cayman sports cars increased by more than eleven percent to a total of 392 units.

…WHAT Recession?

Second Generation
The first evolution of the Porsche Cayman (known as “Generation 2″) was introduced on 21 February 2009. The standard Cayman engine’s displacement was increased from 2.7L to 2.9L, giving a 20 hp (15 kW) increase to 265 hp (198 kW), while the Cayman S gains direct injection and a 25 hp (19 kW) increase to 320 hp (239 kW). Both the Cayman and Cayman S maintain a 10 hp (7 kW) power advantage over their roadster sibling, the Porsche Boxster. On the front end, each have their own design for the front bumper.

The front signal lamps are designed differently: while both use LED signal lamps, the Cayman’s LED are arranged like the face of dice while the Boxster gets a horizontal row of 4 LEDs. The Porsche Tiptronic S automatic gearbox was replaced by the 7-speed PDK dual clutch transmission for the new model. The PDK outperforms the manual transmission with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds versus 5.5 seconds for the manual. The PDK with the sport button option lowers the 0-60 mph time to 5.2 seconds. Also a limited slip differential is now a factory option.

Performance
The performance of the Cayman S approaches that of Porsche’s flagship sports car, the 911 Carrera. Rally legend Walter Röhrl lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife track in a Cayman S equipped with optional 19″ wheels, PCCB, and PASM in a time of 8 minutes, 11 seconds.The time for a standard Cayman S, as published by the manufacturer, was 8 minutes, 20 seconds. In contrast, Röhrl recorded 8 minutes, 15 seconds in a 911 Carrera. The similarity in performance between the two cars has led to speculation about whether the Cayman S will cannibalize sales of the Carrera, as the basic Carrera’s recommended retail price in the United States is $12,400 higher than that of the Cayman S.

A Cayman prepared and run by privateers Jürgen and Uwe Alzen finished fourth overall (of 220 entrants) in the 2007 Nürburgring 24 Hour race, ahead of two flagship Porsche 997 GT3 RSR’s, a 997 GT3 Cup, and a 996 GT3 Cup. Two more privateer Caymans finished 22nd and 117th overall, respectively. Porsche disclaims support for the Cayman teams, while supporting some or all of the 997 teams.

A sports car feature which is not offered by Porsche for the Cayman is limited slip differential. Some commentators have speculated that LSD is not offered, even as an option, because the Cayman S’s performance would then be too close to that of the 911 Carrera . Several tuning companies offer Cayman buyers the ability to retrofit an LSD. Also the biggest engine (3.8l) or the turbo engine is not available in the Cayman.

In the 2009 model, an LSD is available as an option if PDK is installed. The base Cayman has received an engine upgrade to 2.9L (265 bhp (198 kW; 269 PS)), and the Cayman S a 3.4L (320 bhp (239 kW; 324 PS)). This is significantly more than the previous models offerings, as even the factory tuned 2008 Cayman S Sport with its special exhaust system only produces 303 bhp (226 kW; 307 PS) from its 3.4L
powerplant.

Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1
It is a model designed by Porsche Design, commemorating 35th anniversary of Porsche Design. The all black car features black leather and Alcantara upholstery, black center console, dashboard, and door trims, black Alcantara steering wheel, the gear lever, the handbrake grip, and the roof lining, standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), 19-inch 911 Turbo wheels with 235/35 ZR 19 front and 265/35 ZR 19 rear tires. Body is lowered by 10 mm. Standard equipment includes an elegant briefcase containing the Flat Six Chronograph, a pocket knife, a pair of sunglasses, a pen, and a key ring – all in black, even the knife blade.

777 vehicles were produced as 2008 models. It went on sale on November 2007 in Germany, followed by the US in January 2008. Base price is 58,600 Euros.

Cayman S Sport
Porsche also announced the production of a limited edition Cayman S Sport, to be available on October 2008 as a 2009 model. It features a freer-flowing exhaust, which raises power from 295 PS at 6250 rpm to 303 PS at an identical 6250 rpm.

The Cayman S Sport comes in Bright Orange and Signal Green (from the Porsche 911 GT3 RS), as well as Carrara White, Speed Yellow, Guards Red, Black and Arctic Silver. The Cayman S has striping on the sides, black 19-inch wheels, as well as an Alcantara steering wheel directly from the 911 GT3 RS. The instrumentation loses its hood. The body is lowered by 1 cm, and the performance exhaust system is louder. 700 are to be made for worldwide market.

In Brief
The Porsche Cayman is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive 2-seat sports car produced by Porsche AG of Germany. First launched in the 2006 model year, the Cayman is a coupé derived from Porsche’s second generation Boxster convertible. Like the Boxster, most Caymans are assembled in Finland for Porsche by Valmet Automotive (the rest are assembled in Zuffenhausen near Stuttgart, Germany). Porsche’s Deputy Chairman, Holger P. Haerter confirmed that their contract with Valmet Automotive will end in 2012, and the Cayman’s production will be outsourced to Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik of Graz, Austria.

Development
After two years of development, the first model of the coupé to be released was the Cayman S (type 987.120). Photographs and technical details were released in May 2005, but the public unveiling did not take place until the September Frankfurt Motor Show. The S suffix indicated that this was a higher performance version of a then unreleased normal model. That model, the Cayman (987.110), went on sale in July 2006. A motorsport-tuned model, the Cayman RS, is rumored to have been tested at the Nürburgring that same year.

The Cayman coupé (project 987c) and the second generation Boxster convertible (project 987) share the same mid-engined platform and many components, including the front fenders and trunk lid, side doors, headlights, tailights and forward portion of the interior. The design of the Cayman’s body incorporates styling cues from two classic Porsches; the 550 Coupé and the 904 Coupé. Unlike the Boxster, the Cayman has a large hatchback for access to luggage areas on top and in back of the engine cover. The suspension design is fundamentally the same as that of the Boxster, but features revised settings appropriate to the increase in chassis stiffness resulting from the Cayman’s fixed roof.

The 3.4 litre flat-6 boxer engine (M97.21) in the Cayman S is derived from the 3.2 litre powerplant (M96.26) that was used in the Boxster S, but features cylinder heads from the Porsche 997 S’s 3.8 litre motor (M97.01) which have the VarioCam Plus inlet valve timing and lift system. A less powerful but more fuel efficient version, the 2.7 litre M97.20, powers the base model. The use of these new powerplants exclusively in Caymans ended in MY 2007 when Porsche upgraded the Boxster (987.310) and Boxster S (987.320).

A 5-speed manual transaxle is standard on the normal Cayman (G87.01), while a 6-speed manual (Getrag 466) is the default for the S (G87.21) and an option on the normal (A87.20). An electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transaxle (Tiptronic) is also available on the S (A87.21) and the non-S version (A87.02) (The 2009 models replace this option with a seven-speed “PDK”, Porsche’s dual-clutch robotic manual transmission). Other options include active shock absorbers (ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH’s DampTronic, rebadged as PASM by Porsche), ceramic disc brakes (PCCB), xenon headlights (Hella’s Bi-Xenon) and an electronically controlled sport mode (Sport Chrono Package).