It’s nearly the end of the road for the Boxster before an all-electric successor debuts in 2025, but Porsche’s iconic roadster proves that it’s still got what it takes to swoon you over.

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Photos: Muhammad Mu’tasim

SINGAPORE

Rumours about the demise of the petrol-powered Boxster have been swirling for a good minute now, and not too long ago, heavily-camouflaged prototypes of an all-electric successor were spotted in the wild undergoing rigorous testing.

Even the venerable 911 is not safe from the march towards electrification, with the 992.2 sporting a hybrid drivetrain to work alongside the turbocharged flat-six.

So before we bid a final farewell to Porsche’s iconic drop-top and celebrate (or perhaps wince at, if you’re a true-blue purist) the arrival of its battery-powered replacement, let’s take a spin in a special variant of the 718 Boxster.

The Top-Down Approach

What you’re looking at is the Style Edition, an appearance package that gives the snazzy roadster a more effective bite in the looks department. It’s immediately identifiable by a set of 20-inch 718 Spyder painted wheels and contrasting Porsche racing stripes applied throughout the car. Hardly a Tokyo Auto Salon reject, but if you prefer a bit more subtlety, those decals could be deleted.

Apart from the aforementioned go-faster stickers, you also get embossed “Boxster” logos on the fabric roof, stainless steel door sills, and very chic black/bordeau red upholstery as standard. Even the model lettering at the back is finished in white, contrasting well with the Jet Black Metallic paintwork.

Despite featuring no changes in the sheet metal, the 718 Boxster manages to stand the test of time with tasteful curves and compact dimensions. Park it side by side with the OG Boxster, and you’ll see that even the general silhouette is very much the same – down to its voluptuous rear arches – albeit with more aggressively-lined fascias.

Will the electric Boxster keep the nameplate’s iconic shape in the years to come, just like its bigger 911 brother? We sure hope so.

Old Soul Inside

There’s not much to shout about inside, and the best word to describe the 718 Boxster Style Edition’s cabin is “functional”. It’s several steps behind other contemporary sports cars with outdated design elements, plus an infotainment system that’s a right pain in the derrière to operate. And the hidden cupholders on the dashboard? Annoyingly over-engineered.

Then there’s the issue of space, which is rather limited. At the risk of sounding pedantic, we were not too enthusiastic about the insufficient cubby spaces around the cabin. Want to bring around a slightly large water flask? Too bad, the cupholders or storage areas simply aren’t big enough.

Thankfully, Porsche managed to redeem themselves with a few neat touches. The various buttons and switches are well within reach, quite tactile, and take less than 10 seconds to figure out. Both seats are also powered, with 14-way adjustment. Getting the car in the desired driving mode is also as simple as turning a dial on the steering wheel.

And for a few dollars more (alright, S$10,913 to be exact), the 718 Boxster gains the Sport Chrono Package. It’s a delightful add-on that gives the car, among other things, heightened throttle and gearshift response levels, as well as a dash-mounted clock that doubles as a stopwatch.

Mild Yet Addictive Spice

But don’t expect any actual performance bump with the Style Edition, for the car’s still packing a 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four underneath. With 295 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque to play with, there’s sufficient power to enjoy the Porsche, but not quite enough for you to brag about to your mates at the next car meet.

Its torque also comes in at full chat only around the 3,000rpm region, which means you’re not getting much power at all unless you’re properly flooring the accelerator pedal.

While that sounds fun and dandy, it does get frustrating during moments when you just want to exploit the car’s power without any of the effort or drama.

That is, until you enter the corners.

What the 718 Boxster lacks in terms of raw power and torque, it makes up for with superb handling. There’s a sense of occasion as you drop gears and flick the steering wheel around the bends, as it obediently complies to your every input with great urgency and even better accuracy.

More than that, the 718 Boxster stays planted and rock-stable even when you’re tackling a formidable series of sharp turns and elevation changes; a testament to the Porsche engineers’ obsession with perfecting the driving experience. The remarkable sense of stability offered by the taut chassis and supportive seats is evident even when the roads are practically soaked, inspiring a great deal of confidence for the driver.

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There’s a sense of occasion as you drop gears and flick the steering wheel around the bends, as it obediently complies to your every input with great urgency and even better accuracy.

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But if you’re looking for a luxury cruiser, this is not it. External noise intrusion can get loud at times, even with the roof up. And with the Boxer powerplant sitting right behind you, expect a gruff and not-so-pleasant engine note as you drive around at city speeds.

The only respite you get is its aerodynamics, which has been designed to minimise wind from entering the cabin and ruining your carefully combed hair as you bomb down the expressways.

Porsche vehicles are traditionally known for being sporty yet practical machines, so it makes sense that the 718 Boxster has a decent amount of cargo on tap. In front is a 150-litre trunk which can swallow a small-to-midsize luggage easily.

A smaller, shallower 122-litre boot resides at the back, past the engine bay. This is best utilised for groceries or small bags, although I’d still steer clear from storing food items there due to its close proximity to the motor.

Ye Ol’ Reliable

This is the final chapter of a significant era for Porsche, and even with a slightly underwhelming blown flat-four powering the base model Boxster, there’s still much to like behind the wheel.

From its wildly addictive handling credentials to its evergreen looks, the Boxster plays all of the model’s greatest hits like an ageing pop star who still grooves effortlessly. Sometimes, the old ways really are best.

(Editor’s note: This article was first written in 12 April 2024; pricing is accurate as of 2 August 2024)

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Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition

Drivetrain Type	Petrol engine
Engine	1,999cc, Boxer flat-four, turbocharged
Power	295hp at 6,500rpm
Torque	380Nm at 2,150-4,500rpm
Gearbox	7-speed PDK dual-clutch
0-100km/h	4.9 seconds (4.7 seconds with Sport Chrono Package)
Top Speed	275km/h
VES Banding	C2 / +S$25,000
Fuel Efficiency	14.2 km/L
Agent	Porsche Singapore
Price	S$325,788 without COE
Availability	Now
Verdict:	Porsche’s iconic drop-top still excites, but the turbocharged flat-four needs some prodding before you can truly have fun with it.

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