Spyshots: 2012 Porsche Boxster Testing in the Cold

The spy photographers have been busy tracking down the new Boxster, codenamed 981 by Porsche engineers, that should hit the road as soon as the fall of this year. As is the case with everything made by the Stuttgart sportscar maker, any changes made to the chassis and exterior look minor at first glance.

However, with Porsche it's all about refinement, so we should expect the 2012 model to come with shapely sheetmetal and a few minor modifications to the suspension, brakes and assorted underbody components. A few interior tweaks are also part of the package, but the big news is that the Boxster could get a flat-four powerplant.

The Boxster is the car that pulled Porsche from the brink of bankruptcy when it was launched. However, the model is long overdue for a radical makeover in our eyes. We think the new 911-inspired LED triangular taillights and the entire back of the car, which looks sportier and more aggressive, are both steps in the right direction.

Together with the four-pot, we also expect the current 2.9-liter flat-six with 255 horsepower, and the 3.4-liter direct-injected flat-six to be carried over, albeit after minor performance tweaks for a bit more power. Also expect the short-shift six-speed manual and PDK dual-clutch to be available. An all-wheel drive version is unlikely, given that the Boxster's transmission is mounted behind the engine.

Porsche is also planning a new Cayman, to be launched in mid-2012. The model will be made exclusively in Graz, while the Boxster will be made in Graz and in Porsche's own plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.