2013 Porsche Boxster offers more HP and more MPG

The fuel economy ratings have just been released for the 2013 Porsche Boxster and this more powerful yet smaller Boxer flat-six engine offers better fuel economy when mated to either the manual or automatic transmission options – with the most efficient models offering 22mpg around town and 32mpg on the open road.

The 2013 Porsche Boxster with the standard 2.7L engine and the seven speed dual clutch automatic transmission known as the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) offers 22 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. For comparison, the 2012 Porsche Boxster with the old 2.9L engine offered just 20 miles per gallon around town and 29 on the highway so the new base Boxster offers improvements of 2 and 3mpg respectively. When equipped with the six speed manual transmission, the 2013 Boxster offers 20mpg around town and 30 on the highway – improvements of 1mpg in the city and 3mpg on the open road. This same engine allows the 2013 Boxster packed with the PDK to dash from 0-60 in just 5.2 seconds (when equipped with the sport package, 5.4 without) and hit a top speed of 162 miles per hour. When fitted with the manual transmission, the 2013 Boxster can hit 60 in just 5.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 164mph.

Other than the exterior changes that make the Boxster look a little more like the 911, the 2013 Porsche Boxster’s major change comes in the way of the mid-mounted flat six Boxer engine. The 2.9L mill that was used for the 2012 Boxster has been yanked in favor of a 2.7L engine that offers 10 more horsepower than the old motor with a total output of 265hp and 206lb-ft of torque. Not only did that new engine add 10 horsepower but it also cut 55 pounds strictly from the engine change and that is some pretty serious weight reduction for a lightweight sports car like the Boxster.

Combined with the other weight saving efforts, this new 2.7L Boxer engine allows the 2013 Porsche Boxster to be faster, more nimble and more efficient. The added power will improve the ability to get up to speed more quickly which is only bolstered by the new, lower curb weight while the new design of the vehicle carries improved aerodynamic characters for better economy and improved high speed stability. In short, with the introduction of the 2013 Porsche Boxster – the affordable entry level Porsche has gotten even better.

One bit of information that you may notice is missing is fuel economy figures for the 2013 Porsche Boxster S. The Boxster S is powered by a 3.4L flat six Boxer motor that churns out 315 horsepower and 266lb-ft of torque – which is sent to the rear wheels via the same six speed manual and seven speed PDK as is offered in the lower performance Boxster. While fuel economy figures haven’t been announced for the Boxster S, we can expect that with less weight than the previous modes, the higher performance Boxster S may also get a jump in fuel economy figures. However, we would expect that the standard 265hp Boxster will be the more efficient option of the two…for those Porsche buyers who are really worried about fuel economy.

Source: Car and Driver