Porsche Boxster
Squeezed low behind the cockpit and in front of the rear axle is the Boxster's all-new mid-mounted engine. It is the first horizontally opposed 6-cylinder Porsche production engine ever to incorporate water cooling, dual-overhead cams and 4-valve-per-cylinder technology. Made almost entirely of aluminum alloy, the compact racing-derived boxer powerplant spins effortlessly toward redline with each press on the throttle. To avoid temperature buildup, the intricate cooling system includes heat-sapping water jackets surrounding the cylinder heads and each cylinder barrel, while dry-sump lubrication ensures the engine never thirsts for its lifeblood oil.
The dual-overhead-cam, four-valve cylinder heads are controlled by Porsche's exclusive Variocam variable valve timing technology. Responding to signals from the engine management system, Variocam adjusts intake valve timing 25 degrees relative to the crankshaft, optimizing combustion at all engine speeds. The system increases low- and mid-range torque as well as full-throttle power. Such advanced engineering helps the Boxster's engine produce a minimum 147 lb-ft of torque all the way from 1750 rpm. And deliver a peak 181 lb-ft consistently from 4500 rpm clear to the 6800-rpm redline.
With the engine attaining its maximum 201 horsepower at 6000 rpm, while the torque is still at its peak, maximum power is readily available for a blast down a curvy stretch by staying high in the rev range. Yet the nearly flat torque curve ensures there is always a healthy reserve of power on tap when cruising at low engine speeds.
For optimum driver control in transforming the Boxster's power to forward motion, the engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. With a tall first gear usable at speed, the transmission will pull the Boxster steadily from a hairpin curve yet climb to top speed with little effort. A couple of quick shifts through the closely spaced gates will attain 60 mph from a standstill in just over 6 seconds. Buyers may also opt for a groundbreaking close-ratio 5-speed Tiptronic developed specifically for the Boxster. This highly developed semi-automatic transmission offers the tight gearing of a manual gearbox with the clutchless shifting of the Porsche Tiptronic.
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