Performance Review: Porsche Boxster S 3.2 987 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Boxster Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Boxster S 3.2 987 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 3179cc 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 1420 kgs (3130 lbs) this makes the Porsche Boxster S 3.2 987 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Boxster shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3179cc 24V F6 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 236 lb-ft (319.9 Nm) @ 4700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 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 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (219.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Boxster.

The Porsche Boxster has a Power to weight ratio of 194.3 bhp per ton and 166.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 Boxster competing with the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (219.3 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Dodge Charger 6.1 SRT8 (219.2 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 166.1 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 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (191.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (191.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the Porsche Boxster S 3.2 987 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs). This Porsche Boxster S 3.2 987 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Boxster and the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Boxster on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.12 secs @ 96.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (14.05 secs), the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (14.05 secs), and the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (14.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Porsche Boxster S 3.2 987 has a maximum speed of 166mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 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 2004 Porsche Boxster S 3.2 987 then how about the 2019 Jaguar F Type Supercharged 5.0 V8 (177 mph), the 2017 Dodge Viper ACR 8.4 V10 Extreme Aero (177 mph), or the 2017 Dodge Viper ACR 8.4 V10 (177 mph).

Related Links:

2004 Boxster Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison