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Fo r w ar d t h r u s t |
Chassis
and more comfortable than the standard
chassis. The PASM control unit evaluates
the driving conditions and modifies the
damping force on each of the wheels in
accordance with the selected mode.
Sensors record the body movements that
accompany powerful acceleration, brak
-
ing or uneven road surfaces. This enables
intelligent adaptation of damper stif fness
for the selected mode, optimising contact
bet ween each individual t yre and the road
and reducing pitch.
Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM).
Optional PASM, the electronic damping
control system, suits the Boxster models
down to the ground. PASM
actively and
continuously regulates the damping force
for each wheel according to the
road con-
ditions and driving st yle. In addition, the
suspension is lowered by 10 mm.
The driver can select bet ween t wo
dif ferent modes: ‘Normal’ which is a
blend of performance and comfort,
and ‘Sport ’ where the setup is much
firmer. Depending on the mode selected,
therefore, PASM can be both sportier
of the previous model. The independent
suspension features lightweight spring-strut
axles with longitudinal and transverse
links and, at the front, cross members
that have been refined for optimum control.
As a result, each wheel moves precisely
to ensure excellent directional stability
and superior handling in all situations.
What does this mean for the driver? The
sophisticated engineering of the chassis,
combined with the mid-engined layout,
achieves impressive dynamic performance.
Body roll and pitch have been practically
eliminated to offer a level of agilit y that
turns each corner into an incomparable
experience.
Even when you want to make a break
from everyday life, you should still keep
your feet on the ground.
The chassis of the Boxster models are an
excellent match for the powerful engines.
Axle components are made predominantly
of aluminium. This lightweight material
helps to keep the weight of the vehicle and
its unsprung masses low, which reduces
fuel consumption, improves comfort and
increases agilit y.
The wide track is a prominent feature
and to provide additional stability and
enhanced comfort, the wheelbase has been
extended by 60 mm compared with
that
A love of freedom is no reason
to lose self-control.
Chassis.
2 1
52
53
Fo r w ar d t h r u s t |
Chassis
1 Front axle of the Boxster S
2 Rear axle of the Boxster SIt features a variable steering ratio and
responds precisely and directly as well as
providing customary agility, a high level of
comfort and plent y of direct feedback from
the road. Power steering Plus, the optional
speed -sensitive power-steering system, mini -
mises steering ef fort during manoeuvring
and parking.
eliminates the need for servicing, both of
which also have benefits for the environ-
ment.
The Boxster concept was designed to
offer outstanding cornering performance.
The steering system delivers and it even
improves the typical Porsche steering feel.
mechanical steering system. Whereas
a conventional hydraulically assisted
steering system draws engine
power con-
tinuously, the electric motor
in the electro-
mechanical arrangement uses energy
only when the steering
wheel is actually
turned. As a result, fuel consumption is
reduced and the absence of hydraulic fluid
Steering.
One definition of efficiency is a system
that works only when it is needed, and then
does so in a particularly effective way.
This was the guiding principle for our
engineers in the development of the electro-
The results are tangible: increased driving
stability, enhanced driving pleasure and
improved performance. PASM automatically reverts to the
original, harder rating. If ‘Normal’ mode is
selected and the driver’s st yle becomes
more assertive, PASM switches to a
harder rating to increase driving stability
and road safet y.
In ‘Sport ’ mode, the suspension is set
to a harder damper rating. On uneven
roads, PASM immediately switches
to a softer rating, thereby improving
contact bet ween the t yres and the
road. When the road surface improves,
2 1
5455
Fo r w ar d t h r u s t |
Chassis
1 18 - inch Boxster wheel
2 19 - inch Boxster S wheelThe system updates quickly and accurate-
ly after an engine start, t yre pressure cor -
rection or wheel change – for increased
comfort and safet y.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM).
Optional Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM)
sends warnings to the on-board comput -
er’s display screen in the event of low t yre
pressure. The 4.6-inch TFT screen in the
instrument cluster enables the driver to
check the pressure in all four t yres.
time the t yres have a low rolling resistance,
which, in turn, helps to reduce fuel con
-
sumption.
Wheels up to 20 inches are available as an
option.
The Boxster S has 19-inch wheels with
a dynamic dual-spoke design. The t yre
size at the front is 235/40 ZR 19 and
265/40 ZR 19 at the rear.
The larger rolling circumference improves
comfort and performance. At the same
The Boxster is equipped with 18-inch
wheels. Their minimalist five-spoke design
is sport y and elegant in equal measure.
Tyre sizes are 235/45 ZR 18 and 265/45
ZR 18 at the front and rear, respectively. Wheels.
The standard wheels on the Boxster mod-
els have been enlarged by one inch com-
pared with those of the previous models.
Made from a light weight alloy, the larger
wheels reinforce the car’s imposing pres
-
ence and further improve sport y perfor-
mance.
6061
Porsche Stability Management (PSM).
Porsche Stabilit y Management (PSM) is fit-
ted as standard. This system automatically
maintains stability even at the limits of
dynamic driving performance. Sensors
continuously monitor the speed, yaw
velocit y and lateral acceleration of the
Fo r w ar d t h r u s t |
Chassis
therefore achieved much sooner. Brake
assist detects a panic braking situation
and generates the brake pressure
required for maximum deceleration.
precharging of the brake system and
brake assist. If you suddenly release the
accelerator pedal, PSM automatically
prepares for your next action: the braking
system is precharged so that the brake
pads are already in light contact with the
brake discs. Maximum braking power is
If you prefer an ever sportier drive, PSM
can be switched off. For your safet y,
however, PSM remains set to intervene if
the vehicle is braked and ABS assistance
is required. ABS and ABD remain switched
on at all times. Also included with PSM
are engine drag torque control (EDC),
Under acceleration on wet or low-grip
road surfaces, PSM improves traction –
as well as agilit y and safet y – using the
automatic brake differential (ABD) and
antislip regulation (ASR). Integrated ABS is
designed to minimise braking distances. car. Using this information, PSM is able
to calculate the actual direction of travel
at any given moment. If the car begins
to oversteer or understeer, PSM applies
selective braking on individual wheels in
order to restore stability.
1
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Fo r w ar d t h r u s t |
Chassis
1 Dynamic gearbox mountsIn conjunction with optional PCM, the
G -Force graphic on the TFT screen in
the right-hand circular instrument enables
you to view the lateral and longitudinal
forces as they act on the vehicle.
Using the SPORT or SPORT PLUS but ton
you can switch the dynamic gearbox
mounts from ‘Normal’ to ‘Sport ’ or
‘Per formance’ mode and intensif y your
driving pleasure. This results in greater traction, perceptibly
more stable handling under load change
conditions and in fast corners and, in
conjunction with the ‘Launch Control’
function for example, extremely fast
acceleration.
Dynamic gearbox mounts minimise this
effect. Steering angle and both longitudi
-
nal and lateral acceleration are constantly
recorded by sensors. The stiffness and
damping performance of the gearbox
mounts adapt to changes in driving st yle
and road surface conditions, which is
achieved by use of a fluid with magnetic
properties.
Put more simply: when you are driving
into a bend, the vehicle will follow your
steering but, at first, the mass of the
drivetrain will not. This means that the
rear of the vehicle will ultimately be
pushed out wards as a result of the drive -
train’s force of inertia.
of the entire drivetrain, especially the
engine.
The gearbox is bolted to the body by t wo
mounts. Like any mass, it obeys the law
of inertia. This means that it will continue
moving in a uniformly straight line unless
some force causes it to change direction. Dynamic gearbox mounts.
Dynamic gearbox mounts are included
as part of the optional Sport Chrono
Package. They are designed to enhance
both performance and comfort.
The electronically controlled system
minimises the oscillations and vibrations
7071
The wider view |
Safety
are needed. Not only does this provide a
high level of safet y for the driver, it offers
a considerable weight saving compared
with the bodyshell of the previous model.
This is why the doors of both luggage
compartment lids are made from light -
weight aluminium.
The crumple zones in the front and
rear aprons feature integral light-alloy
bumpers, while impact absorbers offer
additional safet y. For the protection of
occupants, energy-absorbing padding is
used selectively in important areas within
the passenger cell.an ingenious lighting concept featuring
powerful headlights, by assistance
systems that give you the information
you need and by an interior that provides
reliable protection in the event of an
accident.
Engineered body design.
The bodyshell of the Boxster models is
based on an intelligent light weight princi -
ple involving the composite construction
of aluminium and steel. The use of dis -
similar but precisely combined compo -
nents makes it possible to utilise specific
material properties exactly where they
It’s the same in the office as it is on the road:
performance needs a stable concept.
Safety.
On the road to independence, there is no
room for the slightest element of doubt.
The active and passive safet y concept
of the Boxster models is designed to
ensure driving pleasure through peace
of mind.
Safet y is founded on a precisely engi
-
neered chassis and high-performance
braking system. It also involves intelligent
control systems, such as Porsche Stability
Management (PSM), and depends on
an innovative body construction designed
to keep your roadster stable without
diminishing its agilit y. It is enhanced by
2
1
72
73
The wider view |
Safety
Alloyed steel Multi - phase steel Super high -streng th steel Aluminium
1 Engineered body design
2 Airbags and Porsche Side Impact Protection System
(POSIP)
ensuring excellent protection in the event
of a side impact even with the hood open.
POSIP additionally includes steel side
impact protection elements in the doors.System (POSIP). It comprises t wo side
airbags on each side. An integral thorax
airbag is located in the outer side bolster
of each seat, while the door panels each
contain an upwards-inflating head airbag.
Each thorax airbag has a volume of
10 litres and each head airbag 15 litres,
and evaluated far sooner and with
considerably greater accuracy.
Porsche Side Impact Protection
System (POSIP).
Both Boxster models are equipped as stand-
ard with the Porsche Side Impact Protection
only partially inflated, thereby minimising
discomfort to the occupants.
In addition to the central airbag control
unit on the transmission tunnel, a pair of
impact sensors is located near the head -
lights. This allows a crash to be detected
Airbags.
To protect the driver and passenger, the
Boxster models are equipped with full -size
airbags, which are inflated in t wo stages
depending on the severit y and t ype of
accident (e.g. frontal or offset frontal). In
less serious accidents, the airbags are
composite construction of aluminium and
steel. They are fully trimmed to blend in
and provide an excellent level of safet y.
The upper seat belt guides are mounted
on the roll- over bars for easier fastening.Roll-over protection.
Dual roll - over protection creates survival
space in the event of a roll- over or side
impact. The front roll-over protection
element is made from super and ultra
high -strength steels. The rear roll - over
bars located behind the seats are a
76
77For fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and efficiency class please refer to page 131. injection, VarioCam Plus and, in conjunc
-
tion with optional PDK, coasting mode.
On the other hand, newly developed
cataly tic converters provide ef ficient
emission control. While the stereo
Lambda control circuitr y controls and
monitors each cylinder bank separately.
For each exhaust tract, oxygen sensors,
together with the engine electronics
and injectors, regulate the composition
of the exhaust gas, while another
Lambda sensor on each cylinder bank
monitors pollutant conversion in the
respective cataly tic converter.
The goal is to enhance performance –
but, where possible, not at the expense
of the environment.
Exhaust emission control.
Vehicles manufactured by Porsche
demonstrate that even high-performance
sports cars can achieve moderate fuel
consumption and exhaust emission values
in their respective category.
This is achieved, on the one hand, through
the use of fuel - ef ficient technologies such
as auto start /stop, thermal management,
electrical system recuperation, direct fuel
compared with the respective previous
model, even though performance has
been increased in every generation. This
is made possible by an efficient drive
concept (e.g. direct fuel injection (DFI) and
VarioCam Plus), lightweight construction,
optimised aerodynamics and low rolling
resistance.
The environmental management team
at the Porsche Development Centre in
Weissach aims to demonstrate a high
level of environmental responsibility. Here,
technological developments are carried
out with environmental protection in mind.
If we are to continue to enjoy driving
pleasure, we need to look after our
environment. In other words, we need to
take responsibilit y. In an era of intensify -
ing debate about global climate change
and CO
2 emissions, every automotive
manufacturer is asking itself what it
has to offer in terms of environmental
protection. Our answer has long been
the same: a combination of high power
output and high efficiency.
In recent years Porsche has managed to
reduce fuel consumption across all model
ranges by a double - digit percentage
You can live for the moment
and still care about tomorrow.
Environment.