We're barely past the first quarter and 2015 already seems to be the year of Porsche->ke1, at least when it comes to the introduction of new models. With the 2015 Geneva Motor Show bringing us the mighty 911 GT3 RS and the analog Cayman GT4, Porsche has now confirmed that a new Boxster Spyder->ke570 is also on the way later this year. The confirmation doesn't exactly come as a surprise though, since preproduction prototypes of the model have been caught by spy cameras for months.
Set to pack a flat-six engine that may be close in horsepower to the Cayman GT4's 385, the 2016 Boxster Spyder should be yet another delight for old-school enthusiasts, especially since it is also expected that the only transmission available will be a six-speed manual. The model's name isn't confirmed though, as Porsche may choose to call it the RS Spyder as a tribute to some of its past no-nonsense sports cars.
Sporting a soft top that harks back to the roadsters of old, the upcoming Spyder will have a minimalist interior and as few creature comforts as possible, with the main focus being put on razor-sharp handling and a more pronounced driver involvement. Porsche may even go as far as leaving aside essential features like an audio or infotainment system for the standard version. There is no official ETA for the car, but a 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235 unveiling is not out of the question.
Continue reading to learn more about the Porsche Boxster Spyder.
Why it matters
The first Boxster Spyder was unveiled in 2009. Stripped of a conventional soft-top mechanism, infotainment system, traditional door handles and air conditioning, and using aluminum doors and alloy wheels, the car weighed 176 pounds less than a Boxster S from the same period. With a firmer and lower suspension, and with the more-powerful flat-six engine from the Cayman S, the original Boxster Spyder drove like a dream.
A similar take on the idea is expected from the 2016 Spyder. Porsche may use a slightly detuned version of the Cayman GT4 engine instead of the Cayman S engine, but nothing has been confirmed. Either way, you can expect it to once again become the lightest Porsche in the lineup – kind of like a modern version of the 550 Spyder.