Porsche Boxster is Back

Introduction

This Boxster, the basic 255bhp, 2.9-litre, entry-level model (as opposed to the more powerful S) provides perhaps the purest Porsche experience you'll find anywhere in the range. With a list price of £35,510 the Boxster is the cheapest car in the line-up, though Porsche's press fleet people haven't been able to resist adding £11,000 of options to it - extras that are all arguably surplus to requirements. All but one that is, with the sports exhaust a must if you're going to enjoy your Boxster to the maximum.

What are its rivals?

The Boxster's obvious rivals include Audi's TT, BMW's Z4 and the Mercedes-Benz SLK, though to that you can add Nissan's 370Z and a whole lot of big-power hot hatches, many of which have power and performance figures to better the Boxster. Few are as aspired to though, that Porsche badge meaning a lot, even when it's stuck on the bonnet of the most inexpensive car in the range.

How does it drive?

Forget the raw performance figures and concentrate on the purity of the driving experience and none of the Porsche's roadster rivals can come close to the Boxster. Something like a Nissan 370Z Roadster delivers more brawn, but the Boxster's balance, beautiful feel and feedback make it a real joy to drive. It's not savagely fast, instead the Boxster gaining momentum with an easy, forceful linearity that has you reaching for the redline before every slick gearchange. With pedals positioned perfectly for throttle-blipping heel-and-toe downshifts the real enjoyment to be had driving the Boxster is making the most of its output and revelling in its brilliant poise and incisive feel. The optional sports exhaust is a must here, as it adds a layer of sound to the experience that's just delicious, with a more assertive rasping tone overlaying the flat-six engine sound.

The steering is sharp, well weighted and rich in feel, while the standard suspension copes with all the vagaries of UK roads with little fuss. Strong brakes with lots of feel through the pedal and a gearshift that's one of the best out there combine with the Boxster's other qualities to make it a hugely entertaining driver's car.

What's impressive?

The feel and feedback. Most modern cars lack any real information through their controls, with responses muted by the electronic assistance thanks to manufacturers' endless pursuit of safety, refinement and comfort. Porsche is different, and the entry-level Boxster demonstrates that better than anything this side of a 911 GT3. The steering is fantastically crisp, while the accelerator, brakes, gearshift and clutch all operate with a rare unity that makes driving the Boxster such a pleasing experience. Porsche achieves this without making the Boxster edgy or difficult too, its thresholds of grip high, its safety systems extremely competent and refinement and comfort exemplary, too.

It's also practical thanks to a deep front boot and a wide and flat rear one. The hood operates quickly and easily and economy and emissions are respectable - at 30.1mpg and 221g/km on the combined cycle - for a car that's able to reach 62mph in 5.9 seconds.

What's not?

It's disappointing that to really enjoy the 2.9-litre's sound you need to spend an extra £1,434 on the sports exhaust.

The hood is quick and easy in its operation, but the need to manually unclip it from the header rail before the electrics take over is disappointing. Porsche cheekily asks £218 for the necessary wind deflector, and solidly built as the interior feels it's not exactly the most stylish driving environment.

The optional satnav with Bluetooth failed repeatedly to connect to an iPhone - something we've experienced before with the £1,995 option on other Porsches.

Should I buy one?

Absolutely. The more powerful S is tempting, but on our camera-strewn, speed-restricted roads the additional performance it brings is of little use. A standard Boxster with that Sports Exhaust option is all the sports car you really need in the UK. Forget the 'poor man's Porsche' or 'couldn't you afford a 911' jibes from the uninformed and enjoy the brilliant feel, feedback and excellent poise that the Boxster delivers. Experience it once and you'll not care what anyone else thinks - as you'll know better.

Ferrari unveils new 458 Italia

Ferrari has unveiled its new 458 Italia, a mid-engined replacement for the F430. Unlike the launch of its California model, Ferrari hasn't drip-fed us the details, instead dropping them all in one release today (July 28). They take a bit of digesting too, the stunning 458 Italia exceeding even our lofty expectations as to what Ferrari would deliver to replace the highly regarded F430. Like the F430 the Italia is mid-engined, with 58 percent weight distribution to the rear, the 458 badge referring to the engine's 4.5-litre capacity and V8 layout.
Its engine produces 562bhp at a high 9,000rpm from its eight cylinders, which combined with its torque output of 398lb.ft at 6,000rpm allows the Italia to sprint to 62mph in under 3.4 seconds and onto a 202mph top speed. Driving through a seven-speed, twin-clutch, paddle-shifted transmission the 458 Italia benefits from all of Ferrari's latest F1 know-how. Making up its impressive electronic driver aid arsenal is Ferrari's E-Diff and F1-Trac, which will enable the 458 Italia to corner with staggering speed. The suspension comprises of double wishbones up front and a multi-link rear set up and the Italia is certain to be offered with Ferrari's variable magnetic damping system. Like its predecessor, all the electronic control systems are likely to be controlled by the Manettino dial mounted on the steering wheel, much like Ferrari's F1 drivers use.
The 458 Italia's development has been heavily influenced by Michael Schumacher, his input into cars like the 430 Scuderia underlining that the Italia should be very special to drive. Ferrari suggests that the 458 Italia is quite a departure from the usual replacement model cycle, its all-new car even more driver focussed thanks to the inclusion of the more practical California at the 'entry' point of Ferrari's line-up.
It's clear then that Ferrari is aiming the 458 Italia at a hardcore driving audience. Setting records for specific output per litre and torque output per litre Ferrari describes the Italia as 'designed for owners for whom the priority is uncompromising on-road performance and occasional track day capability.' Like all cars in Ferrari's current range the 458 Italia's shape is honed as much to cleave through the air as efficiently as possible as it is for style. The results are certainly spectacular, its shape more sensuous and organic than the F430, its rear reminiscent of Ferrari's Enzo hyper-car. The front exhibits some real aggression, with the LED equipped headlamps cutting dramatically into the bonnet.
It's not just efficient in the wind-tunnel either, the 458 Italia improving economy and emissions over its predecessor. CO2 emissions of 320g/km and a combined fuel consumption figure of 20.6mpg might not sound brilliant in isolation, but in the context of the 458 Italia's performance they are rather impressive. Production models will already be working their way down Ferrari's lines in Maranello in anticipation for the rush of orders following its Frankfurt show unveiling, so if you've not got your order in already then it's likely you'll be in for a long wait. It sounds like it will be worth it though.

Tata Motors to deliver first Nano on Friday

Tata Motors Ltd, India's largest vehicles maker, said on Thursday it would deliver the Nano, the world's cheapest car, to its first customer on Friday.


Chairman Ratan Tata had showcased the Nano at an auto show in New Delhi in January last year, but consumer bookings began only in April this year after the project was delayed due to land disputes at its planned site in the eastern state of West Bengal.


The plant for producing the Nano was shifted to a new site in Gujarat on the west coast, but the first batch of Nanos would come from its car plant in Pantnagar in northern India.


Tata has assured price protection for the first 100,000 customers, for whom the cars will be available for 100,000 rupees ($2,053), excluding taxes.

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