Boxster S touches down

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

The Porsche Boxster S, a car apparently so good that European critics are questioning continued production of the other Porsche soft-top, the 911 cabriolet, arrived in New Zealand the other day.

The first shipment of two models was given a spit and polish, plugged into an engine-management computer to check that everything electronic was hunky-dory, and delivered to its owners.

The Boxster S, a go-faster version of the original 2.5-litre Boxster, is powered by a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine developing 185kW and 305Nm.

Much of the new car's suspension, brakes and engine technology has been borrowed from the 911.

The six-speed manual Boxster S costs $139,900, the clutchless Tiptronic model $145,900. Production of the 2.5-litre Boxster continues.