Porsche Boxster RS60 Part 3: Performance Review

Built to celebrate the Type 718 RS60 - the car that won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1960 - the Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder draws inspiration from the past, but its performance is very much contemporary.

Based on the Boxster S, this commemorative version RS60 adds a few extra bits to help justify the added cost over the standard car.

The flat six engine maintains its 3.4 liter displacement, but adds eight horsepower over the normal Boxster S through a new exhaust system with bypass valves actuated by the Sport button. Now, many cars today have sports buttons, but most of them do nothing more than sharpen the throttle to nearly un-drivable levels. Press the Sport button in the RS60, however, and this car responds by pressing your buttons right back. Your "fun" button. Your "don't wanna stop driving it" button. And most definitely your "aural delight" button. This thing sounds as if it just came off the grid at the 12 Hours of Sebring. The higher you rev it, the better it sounds.

Besides transforming the sound from great to OHMYGOD, the added horsepower from that sport exhaust brings the grand total to 303 - the most available in a Boxster. According to Porsche, the acceleration to 60 mph remains at 5.1 seconds, but the car's top speed climbs a bit to a full 170 mph.

Now, a couple of other things happen when you press that sport button. First, the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system switches to a mode so unyielding it pounds every road irregularity into your backside. And yes, that's as unpleasant as it sounds. Do yourself a favor and press the button with the shock absorber icon next to the sport button to reset the suspension to normal.

The other thing that happens is that the throttle mapping changes, making the throttle pedal more sensitive. I prefer the longer travel of the normal throttle map, but the sport setting isn't bad at all.

The sport mode of the PASM system is really only useful on smooth racetracks given its over-the-top stiffness. In the normal mode, however, there's a wider range of compliance and still tons of grip. The car soaks up everything the road throws at it, inspiring great driver confidence with the balance and composure offered by the mid-engined layout.

There is so much traction that you really have to be committed to throw this thing sideways through the twisties. It'll do it, but it really seems to prefer the proper path through a corner. If you still need to go through the turns door-handle-first, you might want to opt for the limited slip differential.

Now, we can't wrap-up a review of a Porsche's dynamics without mentioning the brakes. Just as we've experienced with past Porsche efforts, the braking performance of the Boxster RS60 Spyder is nothing short of phenomenal. The balance provided by the mid-engined layout works its wonders here once again. Not only does the car scrub speed impressively quickly and with great stability, it does so while communicating to the driver through the brake pedal and through the steering wheel.

There's good reason for the rave reviews Porsches get from just about everyone who tests them. The cars are simply great to drive. The Boxster, even this special-edition S, may not be the fastest car, or the one with the most power, or the one with the biggest tires, but it just doesn't matter. It's a car that makes you grin from ear to ear with its responses, its sound and the quality of the entire experience. From the firm brake pedal, to the steering that communicates in that trademark Porsche style, these cars really make you think that maybe there really is no substitute.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder

Performance
- Acceleration: Impressively quick, and a sound straight from the Mulsanne straight
- Handling: Impressive amounts of grip - mid-engine balance
- Braking: Impressive power from the steel brakes - proves that you don't need expensive ceramics

Design
- Exterior: Getting a bit dated - still very clean and correct - the right size for a Porsche
- Interior: Impressive build quality - gorgeous red leather feels ultra-special

Utility
- Comfort: Impressive ride comfort as long as you don't use the "sport" PASM - great seats
- Space: Impressive amount of storage with two trunks

Safety
- Dynamics: Moves that allow you to proactively avoid whatever comes at you
- Technology: All you need in an impressively rigid chassis, especially for a convertible

Value
- Price: Tough to argue against the "regular" Boxster S and its $9k "discount" compared to this car
- Mileage: Light weight (relatively speaking) and six cylinders deliver the best of both worlds

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Impressively addictive - once you drive it, you won't look at it the same way - a true P-car
- Fun to spank: Impressive sound - impressive handling - impressive brakes - yeah, I'm impressed.

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Mid engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 3.4 liter, Horizontally opposed 6 cylinder
Power (SAE): 303 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 251 lbs-ft @ 4400 rpm
Redline: 7300 rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
Curb Weight: 2987 lbs.
0-60 mph: 5.1 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.4 sec.
Top Speed: 170 mph
Mileage: 18 city / 26 highway
Base Price: $64,900
Competitors: BMW Z4 M Roadster, Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, Porsche Boxster S