25 years of the Porsche Boxster. Yes, 25…

Lean times at Porsche make for greatness, it seems, as Stuttgart’s ace Boxster celebrates its 25th birthday.

Porsche is celebrating 25 years of the Boxster, but the story stretches back beyond the quarter century to the unveiling of a show-stopping concept that spearheaded a financial revival. It all comes full circle with a new special-edition Boxster to mark the event. Along the way, it’s been feted by critics, hated by certain 911 fans, gained a brother, lost a couple of cylinders and, despite its performance, practicality and blue-chip badge remains, one of the biggest usedcar bargains around.

2016

FLAT FOURS FALL FLAT

Porsche ditches flat-six motors for 2.0 and 2.5 turbocharged fours and calls the 982-code cars 718 after its iconic ’50s four-banger racers to highlight the heritage and temper our tantrums. They’re talented but tuneless, and Porsche underlines the fact by bringing the naturally-aspirated six back for the 395bhp 4.0-litre GTS in 2020.

2021

25 YEARS YOUNG

Still mi ed that the ’96 production Boxster lost some of the concept’s magic? The 25 Years hopes to make amends. Sparkle comes from 20-inch wheels and styling highlights picked out in coppertinged Neodyme, just like on the ’93 show car. Plus, there’s the brilliant Boxster GTS’s 395bhp 4.0-litre flat six.

1993

BOXSTER CONCEPT

On the brink of financial ruin and needing to replace its ancient front-engined models, Porsche stuns the Detroit show with a mid-engined concept with ’50s inspiration. Boxster name ri s on its boxer engine and the roadster styling that has blank cheques floating around like ticker tape.

2012

THE STIFLING STOPS HERE

Sharp new styling, a sti er structure and wider track make the 981 Boxster the best yet, and even base cars get 261bhp. The Spyder – back for 2015, and packing the Boxster’s biggest engine yet, a 381bhp 3.8 – is essentially a sun-lover’s Cayman GT4, but the best real (rainy) world option is the 326bhp GTS. Who needs a 911?

1996

ONE YOU CAN BUY

After three years on hormone blockers in the R&D department, the 986 Boxster arrives. It shares much with the upcoming 996-911 but costs less, and handles better, so Porsche sti s it with a weedy 201bhp 2.5 flat-six. A stretch to 2.7 litres helps, but 1999’s 250bhp 3.2 Boxster S is the real deal.

2004

BOXSTER GETS A BROTHER

The 987 adds welcome upgrades, but there’s bigger news a year later when Porsche reveals a tin-top version, the Cayman. A late-2008 facelift brings direct injection and a PDK auto gearbox option, while the new 321bhp Spyder drops 80kg by losing the rear boot and electric hood.