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Driving Impressions
Our Boxster S splashed through near hurricane conditions, but felt safe and secure as we pushed slowly through dense fog along the ridgeline of Virginia's Skyline Drive. With visibility reduced to 50 feet, we plodded comfortably along at 30-35 mph. On the far side of the mountains, we picked our way through traffic and flew west toward Summit Point Raceway near Charles Town, West Virginia.This exercise highlighted the Boxster's impressive grip in the wet. At first, I was tentative on West Virginia's narrow roads, braking, then accelerating gently out of the tight corners to avoid wheel spin and a possible spin. Gradually I grew confident of the excellent brakes and surprisingly good grip. Then I became aware of how well the traction control worked and discovered it's difficult to make a mistake in this car. You can apply the throttle aggressively in a slippery turn and the traction control will prevent a spin. (Of course, you can still push off the end of the turn, but common sense should prevent this.) Picking our way through traffic in the rain, we seemed to be in another class altogether. More than a machine, this car became an extension of my being. A few laps on a flooded racetrack confirmed that the Boxster is one sure-footed sports car. As much as we liked the original Boxster, the S offers a significantly better driving experience in every area. First of all, it's got a lot more power, but it also revs much more freely. Where the Boxster feels strained, the S feels robust. The Boxster's belt whine at low rpm does not seem present in the Boxster S. Both engines sound wonderful at high rpm, generating a classic Porsche sound similar to that of the 911 and Porsche race cars. The Boxster S develops 85 percent of its peak torque at just 2000 rpm, providing outstanding throttle response. While Porsche claims the Boxster will dash from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, the Boxster S performs this same feat in just 5.7 seconds. Top speed is estimated to 155 mph in the Boxster. But the real fun here is this car's precise response to driver commands. Mid-engine balance, an excellent chassis, and firm suspension tuning add up to a level of agility and stability that seems a cut above the Boxster's key competitors. There's not a hint of wrestling to guide this agile newcomer down to the apex of a fast turn. It seems to anticipate the driver's intentions without a hint of hesitation or uncertainty. The ride quality is firm, but that adds to its appeal.
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