Stuttgart – Sept. 9, 2010 – Renowned US specialist journal “Car and Driver” has awarded the Porsche Boxster Spyder the title “best-handling car in America”. Thanks to its outstanding handling characteristics, the open-top mid-engine sports car from Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, asserted itself against six high-class competitors during the test drives at the Waterford Hills race circuit in Michigan. The top model in the Boxster series particularly impressed the experienced testers with its well-balanced chassis, its precise steering and its predictability, especially at the handling limits.
The Boxster Spyder visibly embodies the puristic form of a Porsche sports car
The test result precisely reflects the design of the Boxster Spyder: the two-seater clearly and visibly embodies the puristic form of a Porsche sports car – light, powerful, consistently open-topped plus extremely efficient and economical. At 1275 kilograms, it is the lightest model within the entire Porsche product range. In combination with the 320 hp (239 kW) six-cylinder engine, this enables both extremely sporty dynamics and economical fuel consumption – in short, exemplary Porsche Intelligent Performance. Equipped with Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package, the Spyder accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds from a standing start, but consumes just 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres (30 mpg imp.) in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). The Boxster Spyder’s optical feature is its flat, light fabric hood, which extends far to the rear. Together with the striking double-bubble soft top hardcover on the continuous rear lid, the closed hood lends the two-seater a silhouette which is reminiscent of the Carrera GT.
Successor to the legendary 550 Spyder
In terms of its basic concept, the Boxster is regarded as the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder from 1953: mid-engine and roadster concept, low weight, originality and high agility with maximum driving pleasure characterise both vehicles. The 550 Spyder was the first sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen developed specifically for racing. Nevertheless, it was also certified for on-road use. During the subsequent years, the 550-kilogram Spyder achieved numerous victories on the round circuit and in the road races popular at that time.
Source: Porsche Press Release
Photos Courtesy PCNA