Positioned at the very top of the Boxster lineup, the Spyder is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six engine tuned to generate 375 horsepower, a figure that makes it the most powerful Boxster to date. Linked exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission, the six-cylinder sends the ragtop from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 180 mph.
Porsche’s latest convertible gains a lowered track-tuned suspension, a more direct steering and high-performance brakes borrowed from the 911 Carrera S.
Visually, the muscular-looking Spyder immediately stands out thanks to a Cayman GT4-sourced front bumper with three large air ducts and a pair of streamliners on the decklid, a styling cue borrowed from the 718 Spyder that was built in the 1960s and the sold-out gasoline-electric 918 Spyder supercar. The rear fascia benefits from a small spoiler and an air diffuser, while ten-spoke alloy wheels wrap up the look.
Inside, the Spyder features a pair of sport seats and a model-specific steering wheel that is smaller than the unit found in less powerful Boxsters. Porsche has tossed out the air conditioning system and the radio in order to remove as much weight as possible, but both features can be added at no extra cost.
The Spyder is fitted with a cloth soft top that is opened and closed by hand, a setup that saves additional weight. Porsche promises the Spyder is the lightest member of the Boxster family but it has not revealed precisely how much it weighs.
On sale now, the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder starts at $82,100 before a mandatory $995 destination charge is factored in. The Spyder will land on dealer lots next October.
Live photos by Brian Williams.
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