2019 Porsche Boxster Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, And Photos
TheCarConnection.com's editors have also driven the Boxster and included their own driving opinions in this Bottom Line to help you make the most informed buying decision possible. Classic styling and a simple interior show the 2010 Porsche Boxster's strong connections to its sports car heritage. Clean lines and flowing curves look like they have sprung to life from the designer's table. An all-new model, the Boxster Spyder, ups the performance ante this year, as a more hardcore, lightweight performance version above the Boxster S, and it gets an appearance package including unique graphics to distinguish it at first sight. Though it's Porsche's least expensive car, the Boxster is anything but cheap or cheaply made. Its base engine, a 255-horsepower 2.9-liter flat-six-cylinder, can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission, or the high-tech seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual-clutch automatic transmission. Acceleration with either is brisk, with Porsche quoting 5.8-second 0-60 mph runs for the manual and 5.5 seconds with the PDK. An optional Sport Plus package trims the PDK's time down to a mere 5.3 seconds. The Boxster S is propelled by a larger, 310-horsepower, 3.4-liter six-cylinder available with the same transmissions as the standard Boxster.
It accelerates to 60 mph with the manual is just 5.0 seconds; with the PDK, it takes 4.9 seconds, and with the Sport Plus package, that's shaved to a scant 4.7 seconds. The all-new Boxster Spyder gets another bump in output to match the hardtop Cayman S at 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Weight for this highest-performance Boxster variant is trimmed to just 2,811 pounds, 176 pounds lighter than the Boxster S it's based on. That's enough to clip 0.2 second off the 0-60 mph times. A standard limited-slip differential and 20 mm lower sport suspension make the Spyder even more responsive. To get the weight savings, though, Porsche offers some concessions to comfort; the air conditioning is removed, and lightweight seats replace the comfortable but heavy standard-issue items. External weight-saving changes include the removal of daytime running lights and fog lamps, and the electric-powered soft top is swapped out for a manual version. No matter which version you choose, the 2010 Porsche Boxster has brilliant road manners.
Whether you're attacking a twisty back road or cruising the boulevard, the steering is natural, brakes strong and intuitive, and the manual transmission shifts with ease. Fuel economy is 19/27 mpg city and highway for the base Boxster with the manual, or 20/29 mpg with the PDK. The Boxster S scores 19/26 mpg with the manual and 20/29 with the PDK. The all-new Spyder hasn't yet been rated by the EPA. You'll love the work environment of the 2010 Boxster, too. In all but the Spyder, the power convertible top is easy to use, the seats are well-bolstered with available sport seat upgrades, and the low front hood hides a decent amount of cargo space. Easy-to-use controls are placed conveniently at hand, and though the audio system leaves a bit to be desired and offers too many buttons to manage it, the experience isn't spoiled. In typical Porsche style, the Boxster's interior can be tweaked and tuned to fit almost any individual's style. A wide range of finishes, materials, trims, and themes can be chosen or designed by the buyer. The list of standard equipment is extensive, exceeded only by the options available. Air conditioning is standard on all but the Spyder, as is a CD stereo, rear spoiler, partial-leather upholstery, heated washer nozzles, and locking alloy wheels.
Shanghai-based Nio has lifted the veils off their second production electric vehicle, the ES6 midsize all-electric SUV. The ES6 marks Nio鈥檚 entry into a more affordable market segment, something that theoretically should give a strong boost to the brand鈥檚 sales. The performance bit comes from the dual-motor setup that offers up to 544 PS and electric all-wheel drive in the range-topping version. It鈥檚 not a typical combination, though. The ES6 uses a high-efficiency permanent magnet (PM) motor with an output of 218 PS and a high-performance induction motor (IM) that makes 326 PS. The former is responsible for medium and low-speed daily driving, while the latter kicks in to provide great acceleration performance and high speed. Nio maintains the ES6 is the world鈥檚 first EV that uses a PM motor and IM motor and claims it is an efficient combination that saves costs and offers strong power. Speaking of power, the ES6 is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 200 km/h. Those are more than respectable numbers, as is the driving range of 510 km according to the NEDC test procedure.
This number is for the optional 84 kWh battery pack; a smaller 70 kWh unit from the ES8 is standard. While the company doesn鈥檛 say how much the ES6 weighs, it does mention the SUV鈥檚 bodywork is made entirely of aerospace-grade aluminum while some structural parts of the chassis are built from high-strength carbon fiber. Design-wise, the ES6 looks a lot like the ES8, both inside and out. It鈥檚 slightly shorter and narrower, at 4,850 mm and 1,965 mm, respectively. The wheelbase is shorter as well, but at 2,900 mm it鈥檚 quite generous, allowing five- and seven-seat configurations. The cabin features a massive portrait-oriented touchscreen powered by the NOMI in-car AI system, a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, sports seats, and Microfiber suede headliner, among other things. A Lounge Seat and Nappa leather interior are optional, as is an intelligent fragrance system. 51,800, before subsidies. However, that鈥檚 the price of the model with the smaller battery and a dual-motor setup consisting of two 160kW motors (320 kW / 214 HP in total). 64,850) with the 84kWh battery.