Performance Review: Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder 987 - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Boxster Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder 987 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport and the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8.This particular Porsche Boxster has a 3436cc 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 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder 987 in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Boxster shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3436cc 24V F6 engine produces 316 bhp (235 kW) @ 7200 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 273 lb-ft (370.1 Nm) @ 7200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 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 2005 BMW 6 Series M6 Convertible 2d SMG E64 (259.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Boxster.

The Porsche Boxster has a Power to weight ratio of 234.0 bhp per ton and 202.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 Boxster competing with the 2005 BMW 6 Series M6 Convertible 2d SMG E64 (259.0 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Fisker Tramonto 5.4 V8 (258.5 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 202.2 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 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 991 (227.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 (227.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder 987 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder 987 is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Boxster and the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Boxster on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.28 secs @ 103.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet (13.22 secs), the 1999 Ford Mustang 4th Gen SVT Cobra Coupe (13.22 secs), and the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt 4.6 V8 (13.22 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder 987 has a maximum speed of 166mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 Boxster equals the 2019 Jaguar F Type Supercharged 5.0 V8 (177 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder 987 then how about the 2019 Jaguar F Type Supercharged 5.0 V8 (177 mph), the 2017 Dodge Viper ACR 8.4 V10 (177 mph), or the 2017 Dodge Viper ACR 8.4 V10 Extreme Aero (177 mph).

Related Links:

2009 Boxster Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison