The 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Is a Blast From the Past
Thanks in part to the 718 Boxster, getting behind the wheel of a Porsche sports car doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It helps that it also tops Consumer Reports’ list of new convertibles. And 2021 marks the roadster’s 25th anniversary. So, to celebrate, Porsche is giving the 718 Boxster a major throwback with the limited-edition 25 Years.
Before the 718, there was the 1993 Porsche Boxster concept
The Cayenne SUV is often considered to be the car that financially saved Porsche in the early 2000s. It was because of the German automaker’s financial woes that it partnered with Mercedes and Audi to build the 500E and RS2 Avant, respectively. However, years before the Cayenne debuted, the 1993 Porsche Boxster concept helped secure the brand’s future, Hagerty explains.
At the time, Porsche didn’t really have any affordable models, Road & Track reports. To be fair, Porsches have never been cheap. But even so, the brand needed an entry-level car to drive up sales. And when the original Mazda MX-5 Miata proved that the 2-seater convertible sports car formula still sparked joy, Porsche pounced on it.
The 1993 Porsche Boxster concept draws influence from several of the brand’s classic race cars, such as the 550 Spyder and 718 RSK. And while the production car was a bit larger due to safety regulations, and had built-in rollbars, it looked very close to the original. Plus, because it shared many components from the contemporary 996 911, Porsche could keep costs down, PCA reports. Though it did mean, initially, the Boxster had the same IMS issue.
While the 1993 Porsche Boxster concept was extremely well-received, the production version wouldn’t arrive until 1996 as a 1997 model. But it quickly made up for lost time; up until 2003, it was Porsche’s best-selling model, PCA reports. Today, total Boxster production stands at over 375,000 examples, Hagerty reports.
So, naturally, Porsche wants to celebrate with its latest 718 Boxster.
How the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Years channels the concept car
The 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Years’ homages to the concept start with its visual touches. Like the concept car, the Boxster 25 has a standard red leather interior and a red soft top, Road & Track reports. Also, the air intakes, alloy wheels, and badges are painted Neodyme, a color between copper and gold, MotorTrend explains. And, like the original Porsche Boxster concept car, it’s painted silver.
The standard 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and 280 lb-ft. But the Boxster 25, in another tie to the concept car, has a flat-six engine. It’s the same 4.0-liter flat-six engine found in the GTS 4.0 model, with 394 hp and 309 lb-ft, Car and Driver reports. And while a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is available, the standard transmission is a 6-speed manual.
Besides the GTS powertrain, the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Years has a number of performance features. It comes standard with launch control, a limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, 14-way power seats, and a heated steering wheel, Autoblog reports. And there’s an optional sportier version of the suspension available, Roadshow reports.
Will this limited-edition convertible sports car be worth chasing down?
The 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Years isn’t cheap; prices start at $99,950. And while you can get a black interior and either a black or white exterior, you’ll have to act fast. Porsche is only making 1250 examples, with deliveries starting in spring 2021.
If you can’t snag a 718 Boxster 25, know that the GTS 4.0 model is about $10,000 cheaper. And while you can’t get all of the cosmetic features, that’s enough of a savings to get you a car that’s mechanically identical to the limited-edition model.
Still, happy 25th, Boxster.
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