Having already showcased the track-focused 2016 Cayman GT4 and 2016 911 GT3 RS at the Geneva Motor Show,->ke228 Porsche->ke1 used the 2015 New York Auto Show->ke226 to unveil the Boxster Spyder. The nameplate returns after a four-year absence as the most powerful and quickest Boxster->ke570.

The 2010 Boxster Spyder was first launched at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211 as a roadster->ke1418 that took inspiration from the 718 Spyder of the 1960s. Essentially identical to its standard sibling from the waist down except for "Spyder" badging, side skirt stripes and lightweight wheels, the Spyder ditched the Boxster’s->ke570 conventional soft top in favor of a manually operated canvas top. The design also included a pair of roll-over hoops behind the seats, a feature that also harks back to the open-top race cars of the 1960s. Porsche’s aim with the Spyder was to offer a lighter and more powerful Boxster that would sit above the then-range-topping S model. By removing various convenience features and adding a stiffer suspension on top of a 320-horsepower flat-six, Porsche built what would soon become a modern classic.

Can the new Spyder live up to its predecessor's cult status and does it have what it take to stand out in a lineup that also includes the 911 GT3->ke617 and the Cayman GT4? Read on to find out.

Updated 04/15/2015: Porsche dropped a new promo video for its Boxster Spyder, which explains why the car can be described as "unfiltered". Enjoy!

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder.

2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder
  • Engine/Motor: flat-6
  • Horsepower: 375 @ 6700
  • Torque: 310
  • Transmission: 6-speed
Pros
Cons

Exterior

As expected, the distinctive design of the initial Boxster Spyder was carried over for the 2016 model, with two flying buttresses incorporated behind the seats. The streamlined elements extend down to the modified engine lid in a nod to the 718 Spyder of the 1960s. As in Lotus' philosophy, Porsche "added lightness" to the Spyder with the manually operated top, which is also an unmistakable design feature.

Making the Spyder that much more special among its siblings are the racy front and rear fascias borrowed from Cayman GT4. The air inlets are larger and the apron employs a new splitter. A slim air dam is located in front of the forward luggage compartment, a feature also borrowed from the Cayman GT4. Around back, there's a slightly larger spoiler between the taillights, while the apron consists of two diffuser-like elements. A "Spyder" logo resides below the usual "Porsche" lettering.

Needless to say, the new Spyder ticks all the right boxes on the outside, delivering a sweet balance between the modern styling of the Boxster, the heritage of the 718 Spyder and the aggressiveness of the track-focused Cayman GT4.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

4,414 MM (173.77 Inches)

Width (without mirrors)

1,801 MM (70.90 Inches)

Height

1,262 MM (49.68 Inches)

Wheelbase

2,475 MM (97.44 Inches)

Curb weight

2,899 lbs


Interior

It's not just the exterior that sets the Spyder apart in a pack of Boxsters, as the interior is equally unique, with a focus on pure driving pleasure and lightness. The sport seats come standard in the Spyder, while the regular steering wheel has been replaced with one that's 0.4 inches smaller in diameter. Like the race car it takes inspiration from, the roadster was stripped of all the equipment not necessary at the track, such as the radio and the air conditioning units. However, these two features can be ordered as no-cost options.

As for the rest of the Spyder's cabin, it's pretty much the standard Boxster layout save for the cloth loops that replace the traditional door handles. Those of you who are worried that the Spyder's interior may be a bit too minimalist should know it can be had with the entire range of Boxster audio systems, as well as the the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with navigation. All you need to do is check their respective boxes on the options list and pay the premium.

Drivetrain

Just like the Cayman GT4, the Boxster Spyder borrows the 911 Carrera S’ 3.8-liter flat-six engine. Rated at 400 horsepower in the 911 and 385 horses in the GT4, the powerplant has been further detuned to 375 horsepower in the Spyder. But despite the mild drop, the Spyder is the most powerful Boxster yet and also the quickest, needing only 4.3 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. That 0.4 second quicker than the Boxster GTS and only 0.1 second slower than the Cayman GT4. Moreover, the Spyder is now the first Boxster that's both more powerful and quicker than the base 911 Carrera. Top speed comes in at an impressive 180 mph, making the Spyder also the fastest Boxster ever produced.

More good news comes from the transmission department, as Porsche decided to offer the Spyder with a six-speed manual. No PDK here, folks, not even as an option.

Other drivetrain and chassis goodies include a firmer sport suspension with a 0.8-inch lower ride height, more direct steering, and brakes taken from the 911 Carrera S. Add in the fact that the Spyder is the lightest model of the current Boxster line (no curb weight figures yet), and you get the most track-focused Boxster developed as of 2015.

Drivetrain Specifications

Layout / number of cylinders

6

Displacement

3.8 l

Engine layout

Mid-engine

Horsepower

375 HP @ 6,700 RPM

Torque

310 LB-FT

Compression ratio

12.5 : 1

Top Track Speed

180 mph

0 - 60 mph

TBD sec

Transmission

6-speed with dual-mass flywheel and self-adjusting clutch


Prices

The 2016 Boxster Spyder goes in sale in October 2015 from $82,100, not including the $995 destination charge. The sticker makes it only $2,500 cheaper than the Cayman GT4 and the most expensive member of the Boxster family, which means the 2015 Porsche Boxster GTS is no longer the range-topping model.

Competition

Lotus Exige S Roadster

Lotus->ke49 may be in trouble financially, but its Exige S Roadster remains a performance threat for the Spyder. It may lack some of the convenience features, but it's likely lighter than the Spyder at only 2,381 pounds. Helping the Exige S move about is Lotus' familiar, Toyota->ke88-sourced, 3.5-liter V-6. The mill cranks out 345 and pushes the British roadster from naught to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, a half-second quicker than the Boxster Spyder.

Shifting duties are taken care of by a six-speed manual, but Lotus just introduced a new automatic gearbox for the 2015 model year. Pricing starts from £52,900, which converts to around $78,600 as of 03/26/2015. Unfortunately, the Exige S isn't available in the United States. Find out more about the Exige S Roadster in our full review here.

Conclusion

Offered in limited numbers and for only a couple of years, the initial Boxster Spyders are still adored by Porsche enthusiasts due to their lightness, powerful engines and strong connection with the iconic 718 Spyder. Porsche should've brought it back sooner, but, given the nameplate's popularity, it's better late than never. The new Spyder not only looks fantastic thanks to its GT4-like appearance, but it's also astoundingly powerful, surpassing the base 911 Carrera in terms of horsepower. If you were hoping for Porsche to offer a Boxster-badged equivalent to the Cayman GT4, than this is the car you've been waiting for!

Updated History

Updated 04/01/2015: Porsche unveiled the new Boxster Spyder at the 2015 New York Auto Show and announced sales on the U.S. market will begin in October.

Updated 04/02/2015: Porsche dropped two new videos for the new Boxster Spyder that was unveiled yesterday in New York. Also, we took this opportunity to add a series of images taken on the auto show's floor. We hope you'll like them.