2002 Porsche Boxster S 3.2L 5AT (260 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The car that saved the Porsche brand in the mid-90s was the Boxster, and it deserved a facelift after six years on the market, so the automaker made it.

When the German sports car manufacturer was in deep financial trouble in the early ‘90s, it considered creating a new lineup that would be more affordable than the 911. At the same time, the 928/968 models, with front engine and transaxle gearbox, were expensive to build. On the other hand, the Boxster shared its headlights, front fenders, hood, and doors with the 911, so it was cheaper to produce. Moreover, the flat-six engine and other underpinnings also slashed manufacturing costs. As a result, even though it was considered the “poor man’s Porsche,” the Boxster (986) was a proper sports car. Furthermore, in 1999, the automaker introduced the Boxster S fitted with a more potent engine that dropped acceleration times from zero to 100 kph (0-62 mph) in under six seconds, while the speed passed the 150 mph (241 kph) mark. Thanks to its engine placed in the middle, the car had a better weight distribution, and the fact that it lacked two seats in the back (like the 911) wasn’t a problem since nobody could sit there anyway. In 2002, Porsche refreshed the Boxster lineup, and besides some aesthetical changes and interior upgrades, it also improved the drivetrains.

Up front, there was a new set of headlights that sported titanium-gray covers for the turn signals. Its bumper was also slightly restyled and featured a set of side scoops with two horizontal slats. They were not just for decoration but used to grab air and cool the front brakes. Unlike the lesser-powered Boxster, the S version featured a third air intake in the middle of the apron.

From its profile, the titanium-gray blinkers mounted on the front fenders looked better than the old-looking orange ones from the 1999 model year. In addition, a keen eye for detail could spot the cross-drilled front brakes, which were unique for the Boxster S. If that wasn’t noticeable, then the red monoblock brake calipers were even more striking. Behind the doors, the automaker installed body-colored air intakes that fed the engine. Out back, the automaker introduced new taillights, with wider clear lenses for the blinkers and the reversing lamps. As expected, the rear trunk housed the Boxster S badge on it, while behind it was a retractable spoiler that automatically raised at higher speeds. Finally, underneath the bumper, in the middle, the automaker installed a dual exhaust, unlike its non-S sibling, which featured an oval-shaped tip.

Inside, the driver could finally see what was going on behind the car with the retractable hood up since the 2002 model year came with a glass rear window instead of the plastic one fitted on the pre-facelifted version. Both front seats had high-bolstered areas to keep their occupants in place during high-speed cornering maneuvers. Unlike the Boxster, which featured black dials in the instrument cluster, the S version had those white. In addition, it had a speedometer marked to 180 mph (300 kph for Europe).

Behind the cabin, the 3.2-liter flat-six (boxer) engine had a new and improved engine management and injection system provided by Bosch. As a result, the 2002 Porsche Boxster S offered 258 PS (255 hp) on tap, eight more than the non-facelifted version. But, just like that one, it was fitted with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic (Tiptronic). In addition, the automaker revised the car’s suspension for improved cornering speed.