Porsche Boxster 987.1 (2004-2008)

Date of unveil by Porsche AG: September 7, 2004
Premiere: September 23, 2004 Mondial de l'Automobile Paris Motor Show press day
Market launch: November 27, 2004

MY2005	MY2006	MY2008
2.7 176 kW	2.7 180 kW
S 3.2 206 kW	S 3.4 217 kW
		S 3.4 "RS 60 Spyder Edition" 223 kW
		S 3.4 "Porsche Design Edition 2" 223 kW

Technical specification

Modification	Engine	Power	Torque	Gearbox	60 mph	100 km/h	Top speed	DIN weight
Boxster 987.1 176kW-version	2.7B6	176 kW	199 lb-ft / 270 Nm	manual 5-speed (optionally 6-speed)	5.9 sec.	6.4 sec.	159 mph/256 km/h	1295 kg / 2855 lb
				Tiptronic 5-speed	6.8 sec.	7.1 sec.	154 mph/250 km/h	1355 kg / 2987 lb
Boxster 987.1 180kW-version	2.7B6	180 kW	201 lb-ft / 273 Nm	manual 5-speed (optionally 6-speed)	5.8 sec.	6.1 sec.	160 mph/258 km/h (162 mph/260 km/h)	1305 kg / 2877 lb
				Tiptronic 5-speed	6.7 sec.	7.0 sec.	156 mph/251 km/h	1365 kg / 3009 lbs.
Boxster 987.1 S 3.2	3.2B6	206 kW	235 lb-ft / 320 Nm	manual 6-speed	5.2 sec.	5.5 sec.	167 mph/268 km/h	1345 kg / 2965 lb
				Tiptronic 5-speed	6.0 sec.	6.3 sec.	162 mph/260 km/h	1385 kg / 3053 lb
Boxster 987.1 S 3.4	3.4B6	217 kW	250 lb-ft / 340 Nm	manual 6-speed	5.1 sec.	5.4 sec.	169 mph/272 km/h	1355 kg / 2987 lb
				Tiptronic 5-speed	5.8 sec.	6.1 sec.	164 mph/264 km/h	1395 kg / 3075 lb

DIN weight = car with 90% fuel, no driver, no cargo. Weight of German versions with standard equipment.

Already since 1997, the 986-generation Boxsters were parallelly produced at the Valmet factory in Uusikaupunki, Finland. The development work of the 987-generation started in 2001 and the car was meant to be built in Uusikaupunki. In 2003 some "Made in Finland" pre-production cars were made and the production started in 2004. The bodies were fully made at Valmet and other parts were shipped there. The engines were naturally built in Stuttgart.

Starting with 987, the base 2.7 litre version got 17" wheels as standard (6.5"+8") and the Boxster S got 18" wheels (8"+9"). Like with the 986, the 2.7-litre version came with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. The 6-speed was an option. Interestingly, the 6-speed gearbox didn't lower the fuel consumption, but raised it a littlle bit (minimal difference, not worth mentioning). The initial 987 EU pricelist showed that the 2.7-litre verson was 9% cheaper and the 3.2-litre version 6% cheaper compared to the previous 986 generation models. The 987 models were launched for US market in January 2005.

Valmet Automotive factory n Uusikaupunki, Finland © Valmet Automotive

A ferry from Rostock brought parts to Uusikaupunki three times a week, and a ferry from Uusikaupunki brought most of the produced cars to Emden in Germany. To check if your 987 was made in Finland or in Germany, look up the 11th character in the VIN - if it is "U", then it is Uusikaupunki, if it is "S" then it is Stuttgart.

Valmet Porsche Boxster factory — The bay for the mid-engine can be seen here © Valmet Automotive

Boxster and Cayman made at Valmet — Production of Boxster and Cayman bodies at Valmet© Valmet Automotive

Infrared beams dry the water-based paint © Porsche

Valmet Porsche Boxster factory, windscreen installation robot — Windscreen being installed by a robot © Valmet Automotive

Valmet Porsche Boxster factory, drivetrain — Drivetrain © Valmet Automotive

Valmet Porsche Boxster factory, water-tightness tested — Testing the watertightness © Valmet Automotive

Valmet Porsche Boxster factory, shipping — Ready for shipping © Valmet Automotive

Front brake discs of Boxster 2.7 (298 mm) vs Boxster S (318 mm, same as 996/997 Carrera, but on Boxster S with red caliper). The rear discs were 299 mm on both versions.© Porsche

The fabric roof works well for the winter and it is mostly a design issue to use the hardtop for winter. The main problem using Porsches without door frames in the winter is that the door glasses tend to freeze, but they have been designed to move slightly downwards when the door handle is pulled. © Porsche

The roof opens or closes in 12 seconds, it works also when driving up to 30 mph/50 km/h © Porsche

Despite its questionable design when erected, the rear spoiler is really effective in producing downforce on the rear axle © Porsche

Porsche Boxster 987 with hardtop — Single exhaust pipe tells it's a 2.7-litre © Porsche

Twin exhuast pipes tell it's an "S"© Porsche

The Boxster has a drag coefficient of 0.29 © Porsche

The "S" has a fake central opening in the front spoiler © Porsche

Note the front bumper of the 2.7-litre version© Porsche

What a car - it has a midmounted engine like a racing car and luggage compartment volume comparable to a small family car

Similar in design to the 997, but the crab handle is different © Porsche

Optional leather seats with full electric adjustment © Porsche

Nice and simple. The 2.7-litre model can be spotted by the steering wheel design and the black instrument faces.

Boxster S has silver instrument faces. A Tiptronic version pictured here. © Porsche

2.7-litre with the Tiptronic is the worst combination © Porsche

Becker Porsche CDR-24 radio, automatic AC, seat heating

The manually working Sport Chrono stop watch on the dashboard is a useless feature on the era of GPS lap timing© Porsche

The Boxster 987.1 was the first roadster in the world to secure passengers against lateral impact using head airbags © Porsche

Steering with variable ratio, red brake calipers of the Boxster S, optional PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) shock absorbers © Porsche

2.7-litre 176 kW engine with 5-speed manual gearbox© Porsche

3.2-litre 206 kW engine with 6-speed gearbox© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 987 Variable dual-chamber resonance intake system — Variable dual-chamber resonance intake system© Porsche

From the 2006 model year (August 1, 2005), the Boxster and Boxster S got more powerful engines and the optional Tiptronic transmission and the Sport Chrono Package were given additional functions. The 2.7-liter engine got 4 kW more power (now 180 kW). The Boxster S engine, which was increased in size from 3.2 to 3.4 litres, developed 217 kW (+11 kW) and sprinted from 0 to 100 km/h 0.1 second faster. Both flat-six engines were equipped with VarioCam Plus valve control: with variable valve timing (VarioCam) and changeover valve lift (Plus).

SportDesign bodykit

SportDesign front spoiler add-ons, 19" SportDesign wheels, PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 987 SportDesign rear spoiler — © Porsche

Model year 2007 had a slight modification inside the rear luggage compartment - the coolant and engine oil filler caps were located under the wall, increasing the size of the rear trunk. The 19" Turbo-look forged alloy two-tone wheels became available, 8" wide for the front axle and 9.5" for the rear.

On November 20, 2006, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG celebrated a production milestone: the 200,000th Boxster (986+987, Stuttgart+Uusikaupunki) rolled off the production line. The landmark vehicle, a meteor grey metallic Boxster S ordered by a customer in the USA, was made at the Valmet factory. Michael Macht, Executive Vice President of Production and Logistics, said: "Ten years ago, no one would have believed what a huge success this Porsche mid-range roadster has become. Thanks to our flexible production system, we can manufacture the Boxster model series at both our main plant in Zuffenhausen and at Valmet."

PCNA Limited Edition

In 2007, 500 Limited Edition Boxster and Boxster S were made for Porsche Cars North America, the importer for USA and Canada. There wasn't anything special about these cars, just that they were made with the following specification:
* SportDesign bodykit
* 997 GT3 RS Orange paint
* Black mirrors
* Black side air vents
* Black model designation on the rear lid
* Black 19" 997 Carrera S wheels
* Sports exhaust system
* Orange painted roll-over bars, door trim, dashboard trim strip, gear lever gate trim strip, shift pattern markings
* GT3 alcantara covered steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake lever
* Limited Edition label on dashboard

Although the color combination suggests it is a more sportier version, it actually was also produced with the 2.7-litre engine and on the request even with the automatic gearbox. Both the 2.7 litre and the 3.4-litre S were made in the series of 250 cars, so 500 in total.

Olli Vaartimo, Michael Macht, Juhani Suvinen — Olli Vaartimo (Chairman of the board, Valmet Automotive), Michael Macht (Management board member in charge of Production and Logistics, Porsche AG), Juhani Suvinen (President, Valmet Automotive) in front of the Orange Limited Edition Boxster at the Valmet factory© Porsche

10 years of Porsche production at Valmet in Finland — 2007 October 16, party at Valmet to celebrate 10 years of Porsche production. The actual anniversary date was September 3, 2007.© Valmet Automotive

Michael Macht, Executive Vice President of Production and Logistics of Porsche AG, expressed the satisfaction: ”In the past ten years Porsche and Valmet have come a long way together. And we are absolutely aware of the fact that Valmet made a decisive contribution to Porsche’s great development in the 90’s. /--/
I also see the ramp-up of the Cayman as an example of successful cooperation. I hardly believe that anybody will be able in the foreseeable future to build a car rocketing up from zero to No 1 in the J D Power study virtually overnight.

Boxster S 'RS 60 Spyder Edition'

It was presented on December 7, 2007 at the Bologna Motor Show, to be built in the series of 1960 cars. Although the reason for this limited edition is not really justified, this is the most beautiful 987.1. The sports exhaust system was always optionally available, but Porsche never announced the 6 kW power gain with it until the 223 kW RS 60 Spyder Edition. The exterior paint was the nice darker shade of silver from the Carrera GT, the natural leather interior was either available in red (with red roof) or dark gray (with black roof).

2008 Boxster S 3.4 'RS 60 Spyder Edition' and the 1960 718 RS 60 Spyder © Porsche

Black windscreen frame really suits © Porsche

Carrera Red interior looks perfect© Porsche

Porsche Boxster 'RS 60 Spyder Edition' interior — Punched leather was used for the seat faces, central parts of the door panels, steering wheel and handbrake lever © Porsche

Instruments unique to the RS 60 Edition © Porsche

2008 June 4, the 200.000th Porsche built by Valmet Automotive (Boxster+Cayman, 986+987) was a Boxster S "RS 60 Spyder Edition" © Valmet Automotive

Boxster S 'Porsche Design Edition 2'

The production of the 987.1 is nearing its end in September 2008 and one last limited edition is made, the Porsche Design Edition 2 (PDE 1 was offered for Cayman and PDE3 for Cayenne). The official press release calls it "very special Boxster S", but it is just a white Boxster S with sports exhaust, a few parts painted white (usual Porsche options) and with unique PDE2 stickers applied to the car. A sticker-tuning Porsche from Porsche and Porsche Design.

The interior was either available in black (with black roof) or in gray (with gray roof) © Porsche

PDE2 was a marketing trick to sell the last cars of the outgoing model © Porsche

Boxster 987.1 production numbers at Valmet

Please note: years are real years, not model years. Figures do not include cars produced in Stuttgart. The 2003 production figure is naturally for the pre-production prototypes.

2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
12	4195	16368	13254	10928	8822

Search for a Boxster 987.1

Anniversaries: Sep, 23 – 13th birthday of the Boxster 987 (2004); Sep, 28 – 29th birthday of the 911 964 (1988); Oct, 01 – 21st birthday of the Boxster 986 (1996); Oct, 29 – 77th birthday of Hans-Peter Porsche (1940); Nov, 15 – 42nd birthday of the 924 (1975)