LOS ANGELES — A highlight for Porsche at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show was the unveiling of its new generation of Boxster and Cayman midengine sports cars. Alongside them was a new lineup of flat-6 boxer engines said to be more powerful and more fuel-efficient, in part thanks to Porsche's PDK seven-speed double-clutch gearbox.
The most notable feature of the new Boxster and Cayman is their redesigned front and rear ends, and particularly their redesigned lighting, including standard foglamps and an optional bi-xenon lighting package with LED daytime driving lights. A revised suspension setup, new-design wheels and a new standard MP3-capable audio and communication system are also features of the new models.
Porsche says the new engines have "even more power on even less fuel." The base engine makes 255 horsepower in the Boxster — 10 hp more than the current engine — and 265 hp in the Cayman, which represents a 20-hp increase. S-level models will get similar power hikes thanks to a direct-fuel-injected version of the engine that makes 310 hp in the Boxster S and 320 hp in the Cayman S. All are mated to Porsche's PDK double-clutch gearbox.
The Cayman S with PDK and the optional Sports Chrono Package with its acceleration-boosting "Launch Control" feature goes from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.9 seconds. The six-speed manual version of the Boxster reaches 60 mph in less than 5.9 seconds.
Fuel consumption is down 11-16 percent with the new engines, with fuel economy averaging the equivalent of 25.5-26.4 mpg, Porsche says.
The new Boxster and Cayman go on sale in February in Europe. The Boxster's base price is the equivalent of $56,030 in Germany, with the Boxster S priced at $70,160. The Cayman costs $62,675 and the Cayman S $77,325. All prices include tax and fees.
Inside Line says: Efficiency and power go nicely together. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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