Performance Review: Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Boxster Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Porsche Boxster has a 2687cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F6's includes the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The Boxster shares its Petrol F6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Boxster's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1370 kgs (3020 lbs) this makes the Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Boxster shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2687cc 24V F6 engine produces 236 bhp (175 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 199 lb-ft (269.8 Nm) @ 4700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche Boxster you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (197.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Boxster.

The Porsche Boxster has a Power to weight ratio of 172.2 bhp per ton and 145.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 Boxster competing with the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (197.2 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII GSR (197.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche Boxster generating around 145.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 (170.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26R (170.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 is also faster than the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Boxster and the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Boxster on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.71 secs @ 93.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (14.64 secs), the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (14.64 secs), and the 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6 (14.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 has a maximum speed of 159mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 Boxster equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph), or the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 3.5 V6 (170 mph).

Related Links:

2004 Boxster Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison