Porsche Boxster S PDK road test

Even Porsche’s own spokespeople are happy to admit that the first generation of its venerable roadster saved the firm from financial ruin. Now in its third incarnation, can the Porsche Boxster S – fitted with a semi-automatic ‘PDK’ gearbox – continue to shine now that the company’s fortunes have flipped?

The car we’ve been testing is the fastest Boxster available: the ‘S’ version equipped with the firm’s excellent twin-clutch seven-speed PDK gearbox and optional Sport Chrono Package Plus. This comprises of technology such as dynamic transmission mounts, which help maintain sporty handling without compromising ride quality, and launch control.

In performance terms 315bhp and 360Nm is available from the 3.4-litre petrol engine. A sprint to 62mph in 4.8 seconds is possible thanks to another element available only when you have the PDK gearbox and the Sport Chrono Pack - the launch control system. You just select ‘Sports Plus’ mode, put your left foot on the brake and your right on the throttle. The revs will sit at around 6,500rpm and when you’re ready for lift-off just release the brake pedal for neck-snapping acceleration. Top speed is a claimed 172mph, although we didn’t get anywhere near that on our test route out to Wales and back.

It’s largely thanks to the Boxster's low weight that it feels quite a lot faster on the open road than the figures suggest. This is a car which has been designed with the driver in mind, and so makes extremely good use of its power to create real excitement. The exhaust note, a wailing bark from the six-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine, becomes seriously addictive, which might go some way to explaining why our admittedly enthusiastic 350-mile drive saw just 18mpg according to the car’s trip computer. The combined fuel economy is a claimed 35.3mpg on the combined cycle but to hit that you’d have to drive extremely slowly and steer well clear of the Sport or Sport Plus buttons by the gear lever.

So what do such buttons do? Well, every Boxster has a Sport button. This tweaks the engine management for more eager performance and sharpens up the gearbox operation for faster changes between gears. Sport Plus is available with the Sport Chrono Package and further enhances the engine management for optimum performance.

One of the Boxster’s traditional party pieces is the way it negotiates a corner and the new model is no exception. It’s lower and longer than before, meaning it’s more agile than ever when the going gets twisty. Porsche is famed for its direct and beautifully weighted steering and although the new Boxster uses an electronically assisted system it hasn't lost any real feel or feedback. You’d have to be the most fastidious of Porscheophiles to pick up on any loss of communication through the wheel.

Since this is purely a convertible car, one of the most important aspects is its roof. Now, if you’ll forgive a little bit of geekery here, Porsche engineers set themselves a target for how quickly the folding hood mechanism should operate and based it on the firm’s inside code name for the model. The Boxster is known internally as the 981, so the roof had to open or close in less than 9.81 seconds. We’ve timed it and can confirm that around nine seconds is all you need. You can also operate the roof at speeds of up to around 30mph, which will certainly come in handy when that inevitable downpour catches you out.

Another factor which will interest British Boxster buyers is the fabric the roof is made from. Porsche has used a material similar to that found in weatherproof jackets, and the net result is that cabin noise with the roof up has been halved compared to the previous model.

Although not exactly devoid of kit as standard, the car we tested came loaded with optional extras. For instance, the silver paint and red hood cost £1,594. The red leather upholstery cost £2,901. The sat nav system weighs in at £2,141, although it has to be said it is remarkably impressive, and the Sport Chrono Package will set you back £1,084. This isn't a cheap car once you start ticking boxes on the options list!

Porsche's Boxster S with the PDK gearbox can be bought for £45,384. Our car, including its myriad optional extras, came to £56,580 including a three-year warranty and three-year Porsche Assistance package.

That may seem like a large wedge of cash, but you’d have to spend significantly more to find another drop-top with as much raw appeal and visceral driver engagement.

Also consider:

BMW Z4 Roadster

Another excellent driver’s car, the Z4 benefits from a metal folding roof as well as a refined ride and a comfortable cabin.

Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster

The SLK has a range of efficient engines and a metal folding roof. It also boasts a much more aggressive look than its predecessor.

Nissan 370Z Roadster

A strong performer, the 370Z gets a 3.7-litre petrol engine which makes an excellent noise to go along with the storming performance.