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Five Things We Like About The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder

The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder was recently announced, reviving the “Spyder” name on a puritanical, holistic sportscar worthy of the honor. There’s plenty to like about it.

1. It Has Power To Match The Porsche Cayman GT4

We had our doubts that Porsche would potentially encroach upon its already 911-threatening Cayman GT car in its soft-top counterpart, but we’re glad that they have.

The new Porsche Boxster Spyder will be powered by the same 3.8-liter, 375 HP flat-6 found in the GT4, not to mention the 911 Carrera GTS. And frankly, it’s an engine too good to reserve exclusively for rear-engined applications. Now, the German automaker has not one, but two, mid-engined offerings in which the punchy mill can strut its stuff.

2. It’s Lightweight In The Name Of Performance

Each of the previous two Porsche Boxster Spyder iterations have been extensively lightened with the use of materials like aluminum and carbon fiber, and while the mix of body materials on this new car have yet to be announced, we anticipate that it will be very much the same in that regard.

At 2,899 pounds, the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder is technically heavier than the base model – by all of 11 pounds. Its engine also has 40 percent more displacement than that car, and it makes 114 more horsepower. Furthermore, the suspension, brakes, wheels, and just about everything else that allows the car to light up the track have been beefed-up.

We’ll forgive it for that paltry 11 pounds.

3. It Has A Very Smart Semi-Manual Top

Previous Porsche Boxster Spyder iterations have featured a lightweight manual convertible top, obviously in an attempt to keep unnecessary weight out of the car. This new Spyder is no different – except that the latches are now automatic.

The real weight-threatening mechanism – the automated raising/lowering system found on most modern convertibles – has been left out of the equation, so you’re doing the majority of the work in motivating the roof yourself. But automatic latches help ensure an easier, more secure closure if you happen to be caught off-guard by a rogue rain cloud.

4. It Ships With A Proper Manual Gearbox, And Nothing Else

Rowing through one’s own gears is good for the mind, body, and soul, aside from being supremely satisfying. While the automaker’s excellent dual-clutch automatic might have made the most sense from a performance standpoint, the fact that the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder invites driver engagement with a good old-fashioned six-speed is a testament to Porsche’s commitment to puritanical driving pleasure above all else.

5. It Bears The “Spyder” Monniker

It’s damn near impossible to hate on any car that wears a nameplate as meaningful and historic as “Spyder.” Unless, of course, the car fails to measure up to the grand image evoked by the name. Even a cursory glance at the specs will tell you that’s a non-issue here.

The Porsche Boxster Spyder revives a name last seen on the Nürburgring record-breaking 918 Spyder, and first found on the legendary 550 Spyder that won its inaugural race back in 1953. We like motoring history. That is, we like anything that keeps memories of the good old days of pure, holistic racing alive for future generations.

Through and through, that’s precisely what the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder represents.

Aaron Birch is an automotive enthusiast and writer/filmmaker from Detroit, MI. As a rule, he only buys cars older than himself.

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