km : Automotive News

We were just in Detroit where Porsche revealed the new 911 Cabriolet. Now, just days later, they're teasing us with the first official pictures of the next-generation Boxster. Like the new 911 on which it's based, the 2013 Boxster is lighter than its predecessor and features a pair of more powerful engines.

Final details have yet to be released, but Porsche has hinted that the newest version of the roadster will weigh less than before thanks to lightweight body construction, despite riding on a longer wheelbase. The base engine will be a 265-horsepower, 2.7-liter derivative of the Boxster S's (and new 911's) 3.4 liter. To ensure the 911 remains at the top of its sports car pyramid — and to leave space for the next Cayman S — Porsche has tuned the 3.4 to 315 horses for Boxster S duty, compared to 350 in the 911 Carrera.

The new Boxster won't get the Carrera's seven-speed manual, either. Instead, a six-speed manual will be standard in both base and S models, with an option for the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch trans for both. The PDK option promises both better performance (0-60 in 5.4 and 4.7 seconds) and fuel economy (up to a 15% improvement over the previous versions).

Naturally, the new 911's electromechanical power steering will be standard. Porsche will also offer its torque-vectoring rear axle as an option for the first time on a Boxster.

Gone is the lid for the folding top. Instead, the crown of the soft top remains visible when stowed. Styling is considerably differentiated from the 911 with new headlight clusters that are less circular than those on the Carrera, using a composition of individual lighting components inside of a taller ovoid lens. Inside, the cockpit is also unique to the Boxster, though the center console looks to share much of its design with that of the 911.

The new Boxster and Boxster S both go on sale this summer as 2013 models. Pricing will begin at $50,450 for the base version and $61,850 for the S with destination charge.

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