1999 Porsche Boxster S 3.2L 6MT RWD (252 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The Boxster was received with mixed feelings by customers when Porsche launched it in 1996, but three years later, it proved to be a successful model in the German sports car manufacturer lineup and received a more potent version: the S.

Porsche tried to get back on track with a car that could sell in higher numbers than the 911, and the Boxster was the solution. It was more affordable and a true daily-driver sportscar. Even though customers initially received the model with mixed feelings, these were quickly dismissed by the roadster’s performance and qualities. It wasn’t considered a “poor man’s Porsche” anymore but a way to enter into the sports car segment at a lower price with similar performance. And yet, a few things needed to be changed to make the car a best-buy in the segment, and one of them was the drivetrain. While in 1996, the 204 PS (201 hp) was considered adequate but not enough, the 1999 3.2-liter powerplant proved to anyone that the Boxster could handle better than most of its competitors.

When Porsche’s design team penned the 1996 Boxster, it took inspiration from the 1953 550 Spyder, albeit with a modern approach. For the 1999 S version, the automaker couldn’t invest too much in refreshing the vehicle’s overall look, so the front fascia remained the same. Furthermore, it didn’t even install fog lamps since it considered that the roadster was a better match for sunny days.

With a profile shared with its non-S sibling, there were little details that made it look different than its stablemate. Still, the specific design of the wheels, which resembled those from the Porsche 911 Turbo, and the larger brakes were just a few signs that it was the more powerful brother of the Boxster family. Even the air intakes behind the doors were the same. However, the rear end was the one that gave more clues about the car’s performance. Instead of a single, oval-shaped tip, the automaker installed a dual, center-mounted, dual exhaust. In addition, the Boxster nameplate was complemented by a stylized S letter behind it. Just like its non-S brother, the car featured two trunks: one in the front and one behind the mid-mounted engine.

The car’s interior was more luxurious than on the regular Boxster. Its standard leather upholstery covered the high-bolstered bucket seats. Fronting the driver was an instrument cluster fitted with three white dials and red needles. The one in the middle was for the tachometer and was marked up to 8,000 rpm, with the redline starting at 7,000 rpm. It was flanked by a speedometer marked up to 300 kph (180 mph for U.S. versions), unlike the regular Boxster that showed only 250 kph (150 mph). The center stack housed the same layout for the HVAC controls and the stereo, with an option for an infotainment system featuring satellite navigation.

Behind the cabin, Porsche installed a flat-six engine with a 3.2-liter displacement. It was 0.5-liter larger than the 2.7-liter version and provided 30 PS (29 hp) more than its sibling. In addition, the automaker paired it with a six-speed manual. As a result, 0 to 100 kph (0-62 mph) time dropped under six seconds, and the top speed reached 235 kph (146 mph).