Performance Review: Porsche Boxster S PDK - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Boxster Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Boxster S PDK is the 7 speed / Auto 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 W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo.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 S PDK 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 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 Bentley Continental GT Speed 2d Auto (255.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Boxster.

The Porsche Boxster has a Power to weight ratio of 230.3 bhp per ton and 197.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Boxster competing with the 2007 Bentley Continental GT Speed 2d Auto (255.3 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Challenger 392 Hemi Scat Pack Shaker (255.1 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 197.0 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 1984 Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer (222.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Subaru Impreza RB320 - Hawkeye (222.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the Porsche Boxster S PDK as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This Porsche Boxster S PDK is also faster than 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 and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Boxster and the 2008 Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Boxster on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.51 secs @ 101.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto (13.45 secs), the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (13.45 secs), and the 1993 Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 (13.45 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Porsche Boxster S PDK has a maximum speed of 172mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Boxster equals the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 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 PDK then how about the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph), the 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 (183 mph), or the 2015 Aston-Martin DB9 GT Volante 5.9 V12 (183 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Boxster Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison