Performance Review: Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.8 981 - [2015]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Boxster Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.8 981 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2015. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular Porsche Boxster has a 3800cc 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 1315 kgs (2899 lbs) this makes the Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.8 981 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 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 3800cc 24V F6 engine produces 370 bhp (275 kW) @ 6700 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 310 lb-ft (420.3 Nm) @ 4750 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 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS 6.2 V8 (306.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Boxster.

The Porsche Boxster has a Power to weight ratio of 281.3 bhp per ton and 235.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2015 Boxster competing with the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS 6.2 V8 (306.2 bhp per ton) or the 1996 TVR Cerbera 4.2 (305.8 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 235.7 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 BMW 6 Series M6 4.4 V8 F13 (260.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed 6.0 W12 (260.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.8 981 as fast as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.8 981 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Boxster and the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Boxster on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.5 secs @ 109.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8 (12.44 secs), the 1966 Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 (12.44 secs), and the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS 3.3 V12 (12.44 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2015 version of the Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.8 981 has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 2015 Boxster equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.8 981 then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

2015 Boxster Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison