The New Boxster - Porsche

The mid-engine belongs at Porsche.
And it belongs in the Boxster.
Boxer engines.
Porsche first explored the mid-mounted
engine in the 1950s, in sports cars such
as the 550 Spyder. The advantages were
obvious. The concentration of mass
close to the center of the vehicle and
the low center of gravity heightened the
car’s cornering dynamics. At the same
time, evenly distributing the engine’s
weight between the front and rear
axles created handling characteristics
that were equally well-balanced. The
driver of a mid-engine Porsche could
wring satisfaction from every corner.
Performance | Engine
Porsche’s mid-engined design proved
to be a key factor in countless racing
victories. On some of the world’s most
famous racing circuits, Porsche drivers
often found they could out-corner their
heavier, more powerful competition. In the
1960s, the 718 RS 60 Spyder solidified
the reputation of Porsche’s mid-engined
race cars as “giant killers,” with numerous
wins in hill-climbing and endurance events.
For us, there are many reasons to
remain faithful to the mid-mounted
engine concept, to keep transferring
performance from the racetrack
to the road, and to continue to
combine tradition with innovation.
How do we do it? Through Intelligent
Performance, our commitment to high
power with comparatively low fuel
consumption and emissions figures.
With this aim, we developed two
compact and lightweight boxer engines
able to deliver high levels of power and
efficiency simultaneously. Both engines
are equipped with efficient technologies
as standard, including VarioCam Plus,
Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), Auto Start
Stop, electrical system recuperation,
and enhanced thermal management.
What else could we have given the
mid-mounted engine? An even more
agile response. One press of the
Sport button on the center console
makes engine performance even
more dynamic for driving pleasure
at the limits of performance. Let’s
take a look in more detail.