I was personally disappointed when Porsche decided to use a flat-four turbo engine for the 718 Boxster (not that there’s anything ‘wrong’ with that, but I prefer a six). I thought I had missed the boat in 2016 when it was the last year of the flat-sixes. Porsche released a Boxster GTS in 2018, but again, I was disappointed to learn that it was a flat-four turbo. For the 2020 model year, Porsche released the Boxster Spyder, introducing a 4.0L flat-six engine. As I ran through the configurator many, many times, I thought this was the car for me! As luck would have it, COVID hit, and the demand for premium sports cars was off the charts. Getting an allocation for these cars was impossible unless you were a VIP or your last name was Porsche.
Later in 2020, Porsche released the Boxster GTS with the same drive train as the Spyder. Again, I configured that car many, many times. I knew I wanted a 4.0L flat-six, but deciding between the two was very difficult. It really came down to the convertible power top in 9 seconds for the GTS or the manual top for the Spyder.
In December 2020, Porsche introduced the Boxster 25 Years Limited Edition with many unique features. I knew that this Boxster 25 Years would be a very special and unique car, so I configured it many times and sent it to my sales guy at least twice a month. Each time, he called me to say that there was no way in hell that I was going to get an allocation.
We went back and forth for a few months. As spring hit, my sales guy finally said to me…we’re not getting an allocation at this dealership for the Boxster 25 Years. But come in on Saturday and we’ll discuss an allocation for a Spyder or GTS.
When I arrived at the dealership that Saturday in the spring of 2021, my sales guy asked me if I liked surprises. He told me that his manager had informed him that they had been allocated a Boxster 25 Years. He said it was mine if I wanted it! When I said yes, he reached into his drawer, pulled out my most recent configuration and said “Sign here.” He told me I had a few months to firm up the configuration. In March 2022, my son and I went to Leipzig to experience a European delivery [see the article on this in Provinz May 2022]. In May 2022, I picked up my car from the local dealership.
The Boxster 25 Years is based on the Boxster GTS platform, with the 4.0L flat-six Boxer engine, which produces 394 HP at 7200 RPM and 309 FT/LBS of torque. It is a limited edition and only 1250 were made worldwide. My example is number 823. This 2022 Boxster 25 Years was configured with a six-speed manual transmission, Sports Chrono Plus, and came standard with a short-shifter, Porsche Torque Vectoring and a limited-slip differential. With this package, Porsche provides a 0-100KM time of 4.4 seconds – but I think it’s MUCH faster 😉
Like the Boxster GTS, you can select Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or individually personalized mode. In Sport mode, the throttle body response intensifies, and the sport exhaust opens up for a lovely rumbling sound. In Sport Plus you get the same as the Sport, with the addition of tighter suspension – perfect for the track!
The Boxster 25 Years pays homage to the introduction of the Boxster to the world at the Detroit Auto Show in September 1993. The Boxster show car in 1993 had some special aesthetics, such as a golden brassy colour on the front, the air intakes and super special two-piece coloured wheels. The car was silver with a red leather interior along with the golden accents. The Boxster 25 Years is reminiscent of the 1993 model. It came standard with three exterior colour options…GT silver, jet metallic black and Carrera white. The interior options were black or Bordeaux Red leather.
With this car’s red line at 7800 RPMs, the sound it produces creates a guaranteed perma-grin every time. I find myself driving in very low gears just so I can experience the exhaust notes, whether the top is up or, preferably, down. This car’s handling is truly amazing. I often seek out roundabouts or, as I call them, slingshots, to take advantage of the car’s handling capabilities.
As mentioned, this car is based on the Boxster GTS, but to make it stand out as a celebration of the 25-year anniversary of the Boxster, it dons many special features – such as the Boxster 25 emblem embossed on the convertible top, which is visible whether the top is up or down. Anywhere that it says Boxster 25, the 25 is in a special neodyme colour. This is on the cup holder cover, the door sills, the instrument panel display and the rear deck. The neodyme colour also graces the front grille, the two huge side air intakes and the bespoke neodyme/silver coloured wheel rims – selected exclusively for the Boxster 25 Years.
The special cues that I selected for my car included the comfy, 18-way vented and heated full leather sports seats, extended leather interior and – exclusively available to the Boxster 25 – neodyme stitching on the seats, centre console, dashboard, doors and steering wheel. What a great option to set off the interior of this beautiful car. Thank you Porsche! When I’m not experiencing the exhaust notes, which is not very often, I enjoy listening to my Bose surround sound blasting tunes from the 70’s.
I’m a triple black kinda guy, so of course my car is jet metallic black with a black interior and convertible top. I’m glad I chose to paint the roll-over hoops to match the jet metallic black of the exterior – what a great look.
I’m also lucky enough to own a 2006 Boxster S that I’ve had since 2010. It is also triple black. I could go on and on about what a special car this Boxster 25 Years is – and it is – however my biggest problem these days is having to decide which one to exercise next, as all Boxsters are a thrill to drive! </>
