UP FRONT

Why are so many 911&PW operatives running 986 Boxsters? Bennett explains...

The obvious thing to do in this forward facing slot of the mag is to comment on the big cover stories and, worthy as they are – RPM’S new 996 based CSR EVO, and a twin 964 Turbo test from the analytical pen of Mark Hales – there’s other stuff that’s caught the editorial eye. Like how come the ‘Projects’ section at the techy rear end of this issue is full of 986 Boxsters? It’s not a sudden thing, granted, but from one 986 Boxster S on the fleet (Dep Ed Brett Fraser’s yellow peril, now with the added visual impact of red wheels), we’re now running three, with the arrival of the irrepressible Johnny Tipler’s colour flipped roadster and news hound Jeremy Laird’s rather more sober silver machine. Really, we might as well change the title to Boxster & Porsche World.

So what is it with my colleagues and their Boxsters? Well, at the bottom of all this is the inescapable fact that the 986 Boxster is an entry level slice of Porsche genius and remarkable value for money that, once driven, raises the question – two seats aside – do you really need anything more? After all, its mid-engined, flat-six layout is the dictionary definition of ‘handling.’ It’s got more than enough power and it sounds truly exotic. The roof folds away, which for a summer like the one we’re enjoying at the moment, the Boxster really comes into its own. You’ll never think twice about driving and enjoying a Boxster because of an ever steepening value curve, which neatly brings us back to its remarkable value for money. Hell, why haven’t I got one?

Don’t worry, it’s not all wall to wall Boxsters. We’ll be introducing some new air-cooled cars to the ‘Projects’ fleet as of the next issue...

How come the ‘Projects’ section of this issue is full of 986 Boxsters?