Porsche Boxster 986 (1996-2002)

Date of unveil by Porsche AG: official photos in March 1996 (Geneva Motor Show)
Premiere: Journalist events from August 23, 1996 in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, public premiere October 3, 1996 Mondial de l'automobile Paris Motor Show
Market launch: November 1996 (as a 1997 model)

Porsche Boxster 986 with hardtop — © Porsche

MY1997 (V)	MY2000 (Y)	MY2003	MY2004
986.1		986.2
2.5 150 kW	2.7 162 kW	168 kW
	S 3.2 185 kW	191 kW
			S "50 Jahre 550 Spyder" Edition 3.2 196 kW

Porsche Boxster is a beautiful car, but it was not the best successor to the cars that came before - the 944 Turbo Cabriolet and the 968 Cabriolet. Luckily it didn't come immediately after the mighty 944 Turbo and there was an adoption period in the embodiment of the 968. Still, even the 968 was better than the Boxster as it had a durable and more powerful engine, and a 6-speed gearbox. Hence, the 2.5-litre normally aspirated 5-speed Boxster really was a drop. The drop was compensated by the drop in price, making the Boxster a really affordable Porsche, almost like the 914 in its days.

Technical specification and comparison to the predecessors

	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission	60 mph	100 km/h	100 mph	Top speed	Weight	no. of seats
1991 944 Turbo Cabriolet	2.5 inline-4	184 kW	257 lb-ft / 350 Nm	5-speed manual	5.8 sec.	6.0 sec.		162 mph / 260 km/h	1400 kg / 3086 lb	4
1992 968 Cabriolet	3.0 inline-4	176 kW	224 lb-ft / 305 Nm	6-speed manual 4-speed Tiptronic	6.3 sec. 7.7 sec.	6.5 sec. 7.9 sec.		157 mph / 252 km/h 154 mph / 247 km/h	1440 kg / 3175 lb 1470 kg / 3240 lb	4 in Europe 2 in America
1997 Boxster	2.5 flat-6	150 kW	181 lb-ft / 245 Nm	5-speed manual 5-speed Tiptronic	6.7 sec. 7.4 sec.	6.9 sec. 7.6 sec.	16.5 sec. 18.9 sec.	149 mph / 240 km/h 146 mph / 235 km/h	1250 kg / 2756 lb 1300 kg / 2866 lb	2
2000 Boxster	2.7 flat-6	162 kW	191 lb-ft / 260 Nm	5-speed manual 5-speed Tiptronic	6.4 sec. 7.2 sec.	6.6 sec. 7.4 sec.	15.9 sec 17.4 sec.	155 mph / 250 km/h 152 mph / 245 km/h	1260 kg / 2778 lb 1310 kg / 2888 lb	2
2000 Boxster S	3.2 flat-6	185 kW	225 lb-ft / 305 Nm	6-speed manual 5-speed Tiptronic	5.7 sec. 6.3 sec.	5.9 sec. 6.5 sec.	13.8 sec. 15.1 sec.	161 mph / 260 km/h 158 mph / 255 km/h	1295 kg / 2855 lb 1335 kg / 2943 lb	2
2003 Boxster	2.7 flat-6	168 kW	191 lb-ft / 260 Nm	5-speed manual 5-speed Tiptronic	6.2 sec. 7.1 sec.	6.4 sec. 7.3 sec.		157 mph / 253 km/h 154 mph / 248 km/h	1275 kg / 2811 lb 1330 kg / 2932 lb	2
2003 Boxster S	3.2 flat-6	191 kW	228 lb-ft / 310 Nm	6-speed manual 5-speed Tiptronic	5.5 sec. 6.2 sec.	5.7 sec. 6.4 sec.		164 mph / 264 km/h 160 mph / 258 km/h	1320 kg / 2910 lb 1360 kg / 2998 lb	2

DIN weight = European versions with standard equipment, 90% fuel, no driver, no cargo.

Design prototypes

Porsche Boxster 986 prototype — The door and side air intake design language seen on this prototype was used two decades later on the 981-generation Boxster © Porsche

The BOXSTER model name was created from the BOXer engine and the roadSTER body. "Boxster" is a name difficult even to some owners - it is not uncommon to see an owner signing the car up for a Porsche club event as a "Boxter". Real Porsche fans naturally know how to write their baby's name.

The Boxster is a controversial car - it has a racecar-inspired mid-engine layout that concentrates the car’s mass near its center, but it was destined to get a rather powerless engine, and Porsche's first fully liquid-cooled boxer. Flat-6 racing engines with cooled heads had existed for long time (also used on the 959 supercar), but the new old idea was to cool the cylinders also with liquid. The Boxster engine was the first Porsche flat-6 with wet sump. Too bad. There was no room in the Boxster for the oil tank as in every air-cooled 911 and a car with the wet sump engine was slightly cheaper to manufacture. While dry sump engines are not vulnerable for lateral forces (heavy cornering during track day use), wet sump meant the Boxster was not designed for racing. Up until the Boxster, every Porsche (except the 928 luxury grand tourer) was designed to stand limitless track day use.

Porsche Boxster technological package — This digital drawing from the nineties reads "986 PACKAGE" © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 technological package — © Porsche

1993 test car "A4"

To test the Boxster's performance and handling before it was even created, a 911 bodyshell was modified to install axles with the geometry of the future Boxster. A mid-engined car would naturally have the wheelbase longer than on the 911. And that can be clearly seen on the test car called the "A4".

Porsche A4 test car — The A4 test car looks like a 964 Turbo Targa (which never existed)© Stuttcars.com

As it was decided from day one that the Boxster will have a low power boxer engine, the test car was fitted with the old 911 3.2 engine, more precisely its even lower power version for USA and Japan with just 152 kW. The production Boxster would receive a 150 kW engine, but because of much smaller capacity, with less torque than on the 3.2-litre 911 engine. The weight of the 911 curb was reduced to the weight similar to the future Boxster.

Between the A4 test car and later prototypes there was a 968 Cabrio-look Boxster mule - a Boxster prototype was fitted with front end, side mirrors and rear end from a 968 Cabriolet.

Porsche Boxster 986 prototypes — Later prototypes with heavy camouflage. Although the 996 Carrera was launched a year after the Boxster, these 986 prototypes have the front spoilers of the later 996. Maybe the front spoiler seen here was first made for the Boxster and at some point reserved for the 996... © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 body structure — The Boxster has been the lightest street legal Porsche since its introduction © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 side airbag — The Boxster was the first open car to offer optional side airbags © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 crash test — It is always painful to watch such action, but this is what it takes to make these cars really good © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 aerodynamic testing in wind tunnel — Aerodynamic testing in wind tunnel with rear spoiler extended. The spoiler rises automatically at 75 mph / 120 km/h, reducing rear axle lift by 30%.© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 winter test — Testing in winter conditions. Note the safety cage in the test car. © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 front axle — Front axle © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 rear axle — Rear axle © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 engine assembly — Assembly of the water-cooled flat-6 at the factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 engine manufacturing — Camshaft installation © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 engine plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen — For several reasons (financial, design), the Boxster got a wet sump engine. © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 engine — The engine is rather vulnerable. Fatal problems include intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing failure and cylinder wear. Google for more information and aftermarket fixes. © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 engine, transmission and exhaust package — Like in every mid-engined car, the engine belts are running behind the back of the driver © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 engine and clutch — View from the rear (from the transmission side)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 transmission — 5-speed manual transmission © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 body welding at the factory — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 galvanization — Full body galvanization was implemented at Porsche decades ago and that's one of the factors that keeps the Porsche values up. The 26-step anti-corrosion and paint process enabled Porsche to warrant each car against rust perforation for 10 years and unlimited mileage. The paint finish was guaranteed for 3 years – also without mileage limitation.© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 primer coated — Prime-coating © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 in the paint booth — Note the 993 behind the Boxster - there was a period from summer of 1996 until March 1998 when the production of air-cooled and water-cooled boxer-engined Porsches overlapped in Zuffenhausen© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 dashboard being mounted — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 see-through — © Porsche

The 1997 model year Boxster was introduced to hundreds of journalists in August and September 1996 in Germany. The first motor show appearance happened in Paris - press days were on October 1-2 and the public saw the car on October 3, 1996.

Porsche Boxster with hardtop, roof rack and ski holder — Pastel Yellow Boxster with standard 16" wheels and optional equipment: hardtop, roof rack, ski holder© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 roof rack and surf board holder — Roof rack with surf board holder © Stuttcars.com

Boxster Red interior — Invitation... © Stuttcars.com

Silver Porsche Boxster 986 with black soft top — 17" 996-look wheels (option M396)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 rear spoiler rised — The rear spoiler erects from between the rear lid and the rear bumper when the speed exceeds 75 mph/120 km/h and retracts when the speed falls below 50 mph/80 km/h.

Porsche Boxster 986 rear fender — Beautiful body © Porsche

Original Porsche Boxster, silver with red interior — One of the first Boxsters, built in summer 1996. The car is painted in Arctic Silver Metallic and has the Boxster Red interior - typical to the press and market launch cars.© Stuttcars.com

Boxster Red interior, Tiptronic — © Stuttcars.com

It was clear since 1993 motor show appearance of the Boxster concept that the announced low price will generate sales and that the factory capacity in Stuttgart cannot cope with that. So, a production partner was searched for and the contract was signed with Valmet Automotive car factory in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Valmet had produced cars for different manufacturers and they were also cabriolet specialists (they manufactured cabrios for Saab). While the Boxster production in Germany had started in summer of 1996, the production in Finland started in September 1997 with 1998 model year cars.

Production start of the Porsche Boxster in Finland in 1997 — 1997 September 3, the first Boxster made in Finland © Valmet Automotive

While some people might question the build quality of an external assembler, I as the author of this article, can assure they should not. I visited the Valmet factory twice during Porsche production and have visited other Porsche factories many times. For example, back in the old days, in the beginning of the new millenium, German workers were still allowed to smoke at their working stations while assembling the engines (it was permitted by the labor union and Porsche couldn't do anything about it). I didn't see anything like this at the Finnish factory. Naturally, a contract with Porsche was a big thing for them. How to tell if your Porsche was made in Germany or in Finland, check the 11th character in the VIN - "S" stands for Stuttgart and "U" for Uusikaupunki.

Porsche Boxster 986 painted wheel centre — 18" SportClassic 2-piece wheels (Exclusive option XRB) painted in body color (Exclusive option XD9)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 tonneau cover — Tonneau cover (Exclusive option X68) © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 — Speedster rear (Exclusive option XAB) - looks cool, but is very impractical as you cannot close the roof© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 luggage case — With the cargobox mounted, the third braking lamp couldn't be seen anymore and so the cargobox had its own braking lamp. The cargobox was a Porsche Tequipment after sales item (it didn't have the option code). The optional garment carrier that fitted into the cargobox, was available from Porsche Selection.© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 rear view — A third braking lamp mounted to the body can peek out thanks to the stylistic depression in the rear lid © Porsche

Gren metallic Porsche Boxster 986 — © Porsche

Green metallic Porsche Boxster 986, side view — The top opens or closes electrically in 12 seconds (plus the time for locking/unlocking the mechanical catch at the front edge of the roof) © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 dyno wheel — Ultra rare 17" Dyno wheels were available during model years 1999-2001 (Porsche Exclusive code XRH)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 top view — The secret of the Boxster: there is no engine lid, both lids cover the luggage compartments (both have equal size 4.6 cubic ft/130 L, but different shape) © Porsche

In August 1999 started the 2000 model year, which brought larger engines to the Boxster - 2.7-litre instead of 2.5 and a new 3.2-litre version called the Boxster S. It was initially planned to launch the 911 996 Carrera with this watercooled 3.2-litre flat-6 (but was finally launched with a 3.4-litre engine). The Boxster S was fitted with 6-speed manual transmission, but the basic Boxster remained with the 5-speed transmission (remember, the predecessor to the Boxster, the 968, was built with 6-speed as standard already from 1991).

Porsche Boxster 986 assembly at the factory — Boxster S production in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen© Porsche

Although Porsches are rarely ordered with standard wheels, it should be mentioned that while the standard wheel size for the Boxster was 16", the standard for the Boxster S was 17". The Boxster S also received larger cross-drilled brakes from the 996 Carrera 3.4. The discs were 318 mm at the front and 299 mm at the rear (regular Boxster had 298 and 292 mm discs). The 911 brake calipers were painted red for the Boxster S (yes, the brakes on the Boxster S look cooler than the same brakes on the 911). Compared to the base version, the Boxster S had stiffer shock absorbers and higher-rate springs (+25% front, +23% rear). In addition, longer rear lower control arms supposedly increased toe-in stiffness and larger wheel bearings increased camber stiffness for high-speed cornering stability. Front stabilizer bar diameter was increased from 21.6 mm to 23.6 mm (18.5 mm rear stabilizer remained the same). The Boxster S had a higher coefficient of drag (Cd) due to additional center-mounted radiator and wider tyres. The Cd of the Boxster S is 0.32 compared to 0.31 of the more aerodynamic base model. The weight distribution of the Boxster is close to fifty-fifty, with a bit more weight on the rear axle (Boxster 2.5 manual 47% front/53% rear, Boxster 2.5 Tiptronic 45/55).

Porsche Boxster S 986 — Boxster S can be told by the central radiator. The headlamps with orange lower part were called 'fried eggs'. These halogen lamps were standard on the 996 only on the first model year, but on the Boxster until the end of MY2002.© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 in Pastel Yellow — Speed Yellow Boxster S with xenon headlamps ("Litronic" as Porsche called them, M601) and 18" 993 Turbo-look wheels (M413, available from MY1999) © Porsche

Porsche Boxster S 3-spoke steering wheel with monochrome badge (model year 2000) — Boxster S instruments, mph/Fahrenheit-version. Interestingly, only on model year 2000 there was the monochrome Porsche badge on the optional 3-spoke steering wheel (the crest was colored before and after MY2000)© Porsche

Red metallic Porsche Boxster 986 with gray soft top — 17" Boxster S wheels (M400)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 fixed rear spoiler and Exclusive exhaust — Exclusive rear spoiler (option code XAG, also part of the XAF aerokit) and the sports exhaust system (option code XLF). © Porsche

Yellow Porsche Boxster 986 S with fixed rear spoiler — Both the XAF aerokit and the XLF sports exhaust are rarities - the first one because of the price and the latter because of its weird look © Porsche

Red metallic US-version Porsche Boxster 986 — American version can be told by the rear bumperettes © Porsche

Red metallic Porsche Boxster 986 — © Porsche

There were no real changes for the 2001 model year, except the modified instrument cluster and two new wheel sets - the 17" Boxster wheels and the 17" SportClassic wheels. Rod antenna for telephone (mounted on the top of the windscreen frame) was not available anymore.

Porsche Boxster 986 17 — 17" Boxster wheels (M391) were available from MY2001© Porsche

Yellow Porsche Boxster 986 — 17" SportClassic wheels (Exclusive option XRA) were available from MY2001© Porsche

Yellowe Porsche Boxster 986, side view — With its 171"/4343 mm length, the Boxster was longer than the 993-generation 911© Porsche

Yellow US-version Porsche Boxster 986 — US-version Boxster with 17" SportClassic wheels © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 with roof rack and bike carrier — 18" SportClassic 2-piece wheels (XRB), roof rack (M549) and 2001 Porsche Bike FS Evolution © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 S instruments, early version vs late version — Boxster S instrument clusters: MY2000 (mph version here) vs MY2001 (km/h version here)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 gray interior — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 carbon centre console — Porsche Exclusive carbon parts: gear lever (X47, MY2001-2002 version), centre console (XMJ), hand brake lever (X58)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 Exclsuive interior, silver centre console, telephone — MY2001-2002 version of the X97 gear lever, Arctic Silver center console (XJB), Arctic Silver instrument surround (XKX)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 Exclusive interior with dark wood — Porsche Exclusive dark burr maple parts: steering wheel (XPC), instrument surround (XPX), dashboard trim strip (XNW), door panel parts (XTK) © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 red interior — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 sports seats, yellow seat belts, yellow painted centre console — Yellow seat belts (XSY), sports seat backrests painted in exterior color (XSA), centre console painted in exterior color (XME)© Porsche

As the new generation of the 911 (996.2) was unveiled for 2002 model year and Boxster being closely tied to the 996, some changes were carried out also on the Boxster although its very mild facelift would happen a year later. The 2002 model year changes included seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, buttons with matte finish, car key with a colored Porsche Crest (the car key now also controlled the optional power seat memory function). The new optional high-end sound system now came from Bose.

Bose sound system in Porsche Boxster 986 — Bose sound system has 10 loudspeakers © Porsche

USA versions featured the new compulsory internal anti-entrapment release for the luggage compartment. For non-criminal Europe it sounded completely weird that such a feature ever becomes necessary, but the facts speak: USA has the highest rate of prisoners compared to any country in the world and approximately 5 times/400% higher rate than in the European Union.

Porsche Boxster 986 anti-entrapment release — Anti-entrapment release was first installed in the rear luggage compartment (USA versions produced from September 1, 2001) and then in the front luggage compartment (US versions produced from January 9, 2002). © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 beige seats and dashboard — 3-spoke steering wheel (standard from MY2002), sports seats © Stuttcars.com

Porsche Boxster 986 black alcantara interior — Sporty alcantara seat material, standard gear lever © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 Exclusive interior — Alu-look: side air vent slats (CKE), central air vent slats (CKZ), dashboard trim strip (CNY) and steering wheel (CPF). Colored instrument dials (X45), exterior color painted instrument surround (XND) and centre console (XME). Y06 aluminium package incl.gear lever knob with aluminium inlay (MY2002-2004 version of X97) and handbrake lever with aluminium inlay (X98).© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 Exclusive carbon interior — Porsche Exclusive carbon parts: 3-spoke steering wheel (XPD), instrument surround (XPY), center air vent bracket (XNR), dashboard trim strip (XNX), telephone handset (CED), gear lever (X47, MY2001-2002 version)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 MY2002 instruments (car with onboard computer) — Cars with optional on-board computer came with dot-matrix central display © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 manual vs Tiptronic, navigation vs radio — Note that with the optional navigation system installed, the AC unit is moved from the dashboard to the front center console. MY2002 brought matte finish buttons.© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 Exclusive — Boxster S with many touches by the Porsche Exclusive department, including the ugly (up to MY2002) parking sensors © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 fixed rear spoiler — This rear wing could not be ordered separately, only as part of the XAA aerokit. As the wing has the third braking lamp, the lamp's former position on the body is covered up. © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 with fixed rear spoiler and GT3-look wheels — With the fixed rear spoiler, the function of the standard electrically erecting rear spoiler is blocked © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 Exclusive interior, painted centre console — © Porsche

986.2

While the 996-generation 911 was facelifted for the 2002 model year (996.2), the Boxster 986 never received a real facelift, just a number of changes were carried out for the 2003 model year (986.2). The biggest news was the new roof with rear window made of real glass (and now heated). Compared to the quickly fading plastic window, it is a single reason to prefer the 986.2 over the original Boxster (986.1). The most notable new interior feature was the glove compartment. Why it had been missing for the first 6 model years, only the decision makers know. The PCM (Porsche Communication Management) was also new, with larger screen, and the retro cassette player was finally replaced with a CD-player. To be honest, the cassette player was old tech already when the Boxster came out in 1996. While the PCM 1 came with the telephone module as standard, for the PCM 2 the telephone had to be ordered separately.

A new conveniency feature was the remote controlled opening of the front and rear lids.

Porsche Boxster 986.2, front — This is 986.2. Did the original front spoiler look better? © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 side view — 18" 996 Carrera wheels © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 roof mechanism — Despite the new roof kinematics, the opening and closing still happens in only 12 seconds, as before© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 top up — New roof drops at a steeper angle than before - otherwise there would not have been room for the glass rear window (the plastic rear window used to fold in the middle when the top opened) © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 blue interior, yellow exterior — © Stuttcars.com

Porsche Boxster 986.2 side grille — Again - the original 986.1 grille might have looked better... © Porsche

Yellow Boxster 986.2 with aerokit and Speedster rear by Porsche Exclusive — A Boxster customized at the Porsche Exclusive department © Porsche

Boxster 986.2 with 18 — 18" SportTechno wheels © Porsche

Boxster 986.2 with GT3 wheels and Speedster rear by Porsche Exclusive — The parking sensors are not as hideous as on the early cars. A car that small doesn't need them at all. © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 open driving — While on the 986.1 the standard color of the steering wheel, gearshift lever, door handles and handbrake lever was black despite the interior color, from 986.2 these parts came in the same color as the interior. Previously this was available only as cost option through Porsche Exclusive. © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 rear glass — Real glass rear window with heating is the biggest improvement over the original Boxster© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 rear spoiler erected — While the new rear spoiler was not a beauty either, the old one was really ugly when erected - so, this is a good one! © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 rear spoiler — 986.2 rear spoiler looks better also when sitting in its socket © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 with hardtop — The rear bumper looks better than on the 986.1 - controversially thanks to the useless openings© Porsche

Yellow Porsche Boxster S 986.2 with aerokit — 986.2 rear lamp lenses are white/red, without the amber part© Stuttcars.com

Porsche Boxster 986.2, yellow and red — Compared with the former 17" wheels, the new 17" wheel set is 2 kg/4.4 lb lighter and the optional 18" Carrera wheel set weighs a whopping 10.8 kg/23.8 lb less than the 911 Turbo-look wheels of the 986.1© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 interior — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 Exclusive interior — Porsche Exclusive dark wood interior. Glove compartment and newer navigation system can be seen. © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 PCM 2 navigation — PCM 2 (Porsche Communication Management, version 2) navigation system has a 5.8" screen in 16:9 format. Surrounding console - with buttons, air vent and hidden cup holders - is now similar to the 996. © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 cup holder — Cup holders© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 Exclusive center console storage box lid (CUV) — Storage bin lid with Boxster logo on additional strap (Porsche Exclusive option CUV) © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 Bose subwoofer — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 sports seats — Sports seats (can be told by the shoulder supports) with painted backrests and painted roll-over protection bar (not a new feature)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 Alu-look roll over bar — Alu-look silver painted roll-over bar, yellow seat belts, painted sports seat backrest, 2-tone sun visors © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 yellow painted roll over bars, windstop — Dark blue interior, plexiglass wind deflector (Windstop)© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 with Speedster rear — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986 carbon fibre door sill — Carbon fibre door entry guards © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 gray interior — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 interior with bucket seats — Bucket seats look superb and have no substitute on the race track, but are not so good for a daily driver© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 glove compartment — Oh, dear glove compartment - how many years did we have to wait for you! © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 Exclusive front center console — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 Exclusive gear lever and handbrake lever (CVN) — Handbrake lever with painted Porsche script on aluminium insert and gear lever with aluminium insert with painted model logo (Porsche Exclusive option CVN) © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 Exclusive door grab handle — Porsche Exclusive door grab handle © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 Exclusive 2-tone sun visors — Porsche Exclusive two-tone sun visors© Porsche

New VarioCam technology on both the 2.7 and 3.2-litre engines increased engine output a bit and marginally reduced fuel consumption (exhaust emissions). The 986.2 introduced the “returnless” fuel supply system. Until model year 2002 any excess fuel used to flow back to the tank. The 986.2's returnless fuel system incorporates the pump, the filter and the pressure regulator in the tank, meaning that only the fuel really needed is pumped to the engine.

Porsche 986.2 Boxster 2.7 and Boxster S 3.2 power and torque curves — 986.2 Boxster 2.7 and Boxster S 3.2 power and torque curves© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 dimensions — © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 986.2 exhaust system EU3 (Euro) vs LEV (USA) — Catalytic converters in the exhaust system: European EU3 version vs USA LEV © Porsche

100.000th Porsche Boxster made in Finland — 2003 August 28, Uusikaupunki, Finland: this is 100.000th Porsche made by Valmet Automotive© Porsche

'50 Jahre 550 Spyder' edition

Porsche premiered a special edition Boxster S at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2004. The official name was "Boxster S Anniversary Edition 50 Years of 550 Spyder". Although the 1953 550 Spyder was Porsche's supercar and the Boxster is the entry level model, this Boxster S at least does not have the power-to-weight ratio worse than on the 550 Spyder half a century earlier - interestingly, they have exactly the same power-to-weight ratio. 1953 examples of the 550 Spyder edition Boxster S were made. They were painted with the Porsche Carrera GT supercar color, the GT Silver Metallic and the cocoa brown interior was also a carry-over from the Carrera GT. The soft top came also in cocoa. Alternatively the car was available with dark gray interior, black carpets and a black roof.

Porsche Boxster S — 5 mm wheel spacers (XRP) are standard on the special edition© Porsche

Chromium plated and polished logo© Porsche

2004 Porsche Boxster S — Porsche Exclusive tail pipe (code XLA) is standard on the special edition © Porsche

Porsche Boxster S, Tiptronic lever, — No front centre console means the '550 Jahre 550 Spyder Limited Edition Nr. xxxx/1953' plaque was fixed to the carpet (or on the optional front centre console, option 581), embossed leather on handbrake and Tiptronic levers, chrome Tiptronic gate. © Porsche

Embossed leather gear lever with ball-shaped aluminium top (was available from Porsche Exclusive on MY2001-2002). The cars came with the short shift kit. © Porsche

Engine codes

Code	Engine	Power	Torque	Model	Model years
M96.20	2.5	150 kW	180 lb-ft / 245 Nm	Boxster 986.1 (2.5)	97 98 99
M96.21	3.2	185 kW	224 lb-ft / 305 Nm	Boxster 986.1 S	00 01 02
M96.22	2.7	162 kW	191 lb-ft / 260 Nm	Boxster 986.1 (2.7)	00 01 02
M96.23	2.7	168 kW	191 lb-ft / 260 Nm	Boxster 986.2 (2.7)	03 04
M96.24	3.2	191 kW	228 lb-ft / 310 Nm	Boxster 986.2 S	03 04

Interestingly, the Boxster 986 engine codes are not related to type 986 (they are not M86), but to 911 996 (M96).

Transmission codes

Code	Transmission	Model	Model years
G86.00	5-speed manual	Boxster 2.5	97 98 99
G86.01	5-speed manual	Boxster 2.7	00 01 02 03 04
G86.20	6-speed manual	Boxster S	00 01 02 03 04
A86.00	5-speed Tiptronic	Boxster 2.5	97 98 99
A86.05	5-speed Tiptronic	Boxster 2.7	00 01 02 03 04
A86.20	5-speed Tiptronic	Boxster S	00 01 02 03 04

Search for a Boxster 986 or continue to Boxster 987

Anniversaries: Aug, 19 – 82nd birthday of the type 64 (1939); Aug, 23 – 25th birthday of the Boxster (1996); Aug, 29 – 56th birthday of the 906 (1965); Sep, 03 – 146th birthday anniversary of Ferdinand Porsche (1875); Sep, 04 – 2nd birthday of the Taycan (2019)