Performance Review: Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche Boxster Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Porsche Boxster has a 2480cc 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 1242 kgs (2738 lbs) this makes the Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche Boxster shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2480cc 24V F6 engine produces 204 bhp (152 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 181 lb-ft (245.4 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (188.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche Boxster.

The Porsche Boxster has a Power to weight ratio of 164.2 bhp per ton and 145.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 Boxster competing with the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (188.8 bhp per ton) or the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d (188.7 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 145.7 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 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (170.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 BMW 7 Series 745i Auto (170.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Boxster and the 2008 Bentley Azure T 6.8 V8

When talking about the performance of the Porsche Boxster on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.97 secs @ 91.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Bentley Azure T 6.8 V8 (14.90 secs), the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (14.90 secs), and the 2011 KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo (14.90 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 Boxster equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1996 Boxster Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison