Performance Review: Porsche Boxster S 3.4L - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Boxster Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Boxster S 3.4L is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.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, Coupe 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 1320 kgs (2910 lbs) this makes the Porsche Boxster S 3.4L in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Boxster shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3436cc 24V F6 engine produces 311 bhp (231 kW) @ 6700 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 266 lb-ft (360.6 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 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 2007 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (260.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Boxster.

The Porsche Boxster has a Power to weight ratio of 235.6 bhp per ton and 201.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Boxster competing with the 2007 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (260.6 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Bentley Continental GT3-R 4.0 V8 Turbo (260.5 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 201.5 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 1971 Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 (226.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (226.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the Porsche Boxster S 3.4L as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This Porsche Boxster S 3.4L is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Boxster and the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Boxster on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.26 secs @ 103.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 (13.21 secs), the 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK - Hawkeye (13.21 secs), and the 2019 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Turbo (13.21 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Porsche Boxster S 3.4L has a maximum speed of 173mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Boxster equals the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (184 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Porsche Boxster S 3.4L then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (184 mph), the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 6.2 V8 C8 (184 mph), or the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (184 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Boxster Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison