PORSCHE Boxster S (981) 2012-2016 Photos, engines & full specs

Unlike its Boxster brother, the S version of the mid-engined Porsche roadster offered a 3.4-liter unit from its predecessor, but with some improvements and a lower vehicle mass.

The Boxster S showed the world that the mid-engine cars might not be as expensive as a Diablo or a Ferrari. It might be even cheaper than the rear-engine 911 and still be fast and fun to drive. That's why Porsche developed the Boxster S, a car that shared some of its parts with its bigger, and more notorious, brother.

From the outside, the 2012 Boxster S took a different design path than the 911. The round headlights were gone and sleeker, swept, lamps were installed. A typical design element for the Boxster was the front apron, with bigger side-scoops than the central one, which was placed on the lower side. The fenders were still higher than the hood, but not as much as before. In the back, a double-round exhaust was installed. The Boxster S needed only 9 seconds to open or close the top, at speeds of up to 50 kph (31 mph).

The two-seat roadster featured a clean design interior, with influences from the Carrera GT super sports-car. A new CDR infotainment unit with a 7” touch-screen was fitted as standard on the center stack. There was also a new, 4.6”, multi-function display on the right side of the instrument cluster. As usual, the center position was secured for the analog tachometer.

The 2012 Boxster S didn't play the downsize game and kept its 3.4-liter flat-six engine, but slightly better. It offered 311 hp and enough torque to push the car to 100 kph (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds if the car was fitted with PDK (automatic dual-clutch).