987 Coupe ???

[Richard EVO]

Hi. I'm new here. As you can see from my signature, I don't own a Boxster, yet. I was very impressed with the test of 9 current 2-seat sports cars in Road & Track, in which the Boxster came in 2nd, price independent, only behind the 997 S. I also saw a few months ago some info, in AutoWeek, I think, about the upcoming Boxster Coupe.

Does anyone here have any more detailed info about the 987 Coupe. Is it coming to the USA? When? Will there be a Coupe S model? Any idea of prices?

Thank you.

[Perfectlap]

I saw some spy photos in Excellence a few months back and it was cool (except for the beetle headlights). I think they were planning on putting in a 996 3.6 engine, six speed, and 19" wheels.
If so, allot of 996 owners aren't going to be too happy when a lighter more nimble car starts beating theirs in road tests.

[QporscheQ]

The few things I've seen say it will be an '06 model. Maybe called the GTS with a (fingers crossed) clubsport version soon to follow. For those who remember me ********************ing about the car having bad blind spots a while back in a different coupe post, notice how this car has the glass triangle windows behind the seats like I suggested. Maybe Porsche engineers read this site. Okay . . . I guess not.

[Adam]

I'm betting the boxster coup will have either a higher output 3.2L or maybe the 3.4L. I can't see porsche putting in the 3.6L.

Here are some new boxster coup pics.

http://www.racingflix.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=596&PN=3

[Richard EVO]

Thanks. I like it. I agree no 3.6 liter engine, then Porsche is just undercutting 997 sales with the Boxster Coupe.

Is there much of a weight difference between existing Boxster 987 and 997 coupe? What all accounts for the Boxster's "nimbleness" over the 997?

I would expect the Coupe to weigh less than the Cabrio or Convertible or Roadster or Spyder or whatever I'm supposed to call it.

[QporscheQ]

The Boxster weighs less than the 997, but nothing really beats having the mid engine layout.

[Perfectlap]

Having the hardtop is a major improvement in handling. Take an M3 convertible and an M3 tin top for a spin and you'd think you were in a different car. Althought the cowl shake isn't so bad in Boxster, you can Put your hand over the gap between the door panel and dashboard (as a passenger of course) during hard turns and you'll feel the unavoidable loss of rigidity in a roadster. A roll bar cures this to some degree but nothing like a hardtop.

oh, and I hope they get rid of the Cayenne interior. A more 'RS' feel interior is in order. a smaller Alcantara steering wheel , Cloth covered Kevlar seats, preinstalled harness bar and six point belts, analog only gauges, push start button, louder interior, full coil overs, adjustable sways,bla bla bla.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Richard EVO

Thanks. I like it. I agree no 3.6 liter engine, then Porsche is just undercutting 997 sales with the Boxster Coupe.

Is there much of a weight difference between existing Boxster 987 and 997 coupe? What all accounts for the Boxster's "nimbleness" over the 997?

I would expect the Coupe to weigh less than the Cabrio or Convertible or Roadster or Spyder or whatever I'm supposed to call it.

The main reason the boxster is more nimble is because of the better weight distribution as Q Porsche said. The 987S weighs approx 300lbs less than a Carrera S as well which doesn't hurt either.

[Richard EVO]

Originally Posted by Adam

The main reason the boxster is more nimble is because of the better weight distribution as Q Porsche said. The 987S weighs approx 300lbs less than a Carrera S as well which doesn't hurt either.

According to the official Porshce USA website, the curb weights are as follows, all cars with manual gearboxes

Boxster 987 S - 3,131 lbs.
997 S coupe - 3,131 lbs. (odd coinicidence)
996 Cabriolet - 3,020 lbs.