Boxster/Cayman Road Test Summary

When comparing test results below, one should note a few things:

[1] Individual cars of the same model differ. This is due to manufacturing variation and is simply a fact of life.
[2] Test conditions (e.g. surface traction, ambient temperature, clutch condition, the brutality of the test-driver, etc.) have a tremendous impact.
[3] Specifications below are as described in the article (whether they're correct or not).
[4] US/ROW refers to US and Rest Of the World specification models respectively.
[5] Dates are given in the US format (mm/dd/yyyy or mm/yyyy).
[6] Weights listed are kerb/curb weights.

Because the 0-60 mph times vary so much, I've included 60-100 mph times (where available). This attempts to eliminate launch conditions from the equation and to simulate a “real-world” overtaking maneuver. I believe its a good measure of a car's performance (and it's relatively easy to duplicate).

986 Models	2.5-liter Boxster 2.7-liter Boxster 3.2-liter Boxster S RUF 986 variants
987 Models	2.7-liter Boxster 3.2-liter Boxster S 2.7-liter Cayman 3.4-liter Cayman S RUF 987 variants

2.5-liter 986 Boxster

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

Boxster

2755 lbs, 2.5L
201 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Road & Track
Dec-1996

6.1

n/a

14.7 sec
@ 93.2 mph

149

n/a

R&T
65.0 mph

120 ft

n/a

210 ft

Boxster

ROW, 2738 lbs, 2.5L
204 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Autocar
01/08/1997 [1]

6.5

18.0

11.5

n/a

155

n/a

Boxster

2960 lbs, 2.5L
201 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Car and Driver
Apr-1997 [2]

6.2

17.5

11.3

14.7 sec
@ 93 mph

145

0.92g

n/a

159 ft

n/a

Boxster

2756 lbs, 2.5L
201 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Motor Trend
Jul-1997

6.0

n/a

14.5 sec
@ 94.6 mph

n/a

0.94g

MT
67.7 mph

119 ft

n/a

Boxster

ROW, 2738 lbs, 2.5L
204 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Autocar
09/03/1997 [1]

6.5

18.0

11.5

15.6 sec
@ 90 mph

n/a

Boxster

No details...

Motor Trend
Jun-1998

6.3

n/a

14.8 sec
@ 93.3 mph

n/a

0.91g

MT
67.9 mph

119 ft

n/a

Boxster

US, 2.5L
201 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Motor Trend
Jul-1998

6.0

n/a

14.5 sec
@ 94.6 mph

n/a

0.94g

MT
67.7 mph

119 ft

n/a

Boxster

2960 lbs, 2.5L
201 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Car and Driver
Apr-1999 [2]

6.3

17.3

11.0

14.8 sec
@ 93 mph

143

0.90g

n/a

173 ft

n/a

Boxster

No details...

Autocar
06/23/1999 [1]

6.5

18.0

11.5

15.6 sec
@ 90 mph

139

n/a

Boxster

US, 2755 lbs, 2.5L
201 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Road & Track
Sep-1999

6.0

16.9

10.9

14.6 sec
@ 94 mph

n/a

0.89g

R&T
64.1 mph

121 ft

n/a

214 ft

Boxster

2822 lbs, 2.5L
201 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Motor Trend
Sep-2000

6.0

n/a

14.5 sec
@ 94.6 mph

n/a

0.98g

MT
70.2 mph

117 ft

n/a

Boxster Tiptronic

2848 lbs, 2.5L
204 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Autocar
02/05/1997

7.3

19.1

11.8

15.5 sec
@ 90 mph

n/a

164 ft

n/a

Boxster Tiptronic

2960 lbs, 2.5L
201 bhp, 181 lb-ft

Car and Driver
Nov-1997

7.7

20.4

12.7

16.0 sec
@ 88 mph

n/a

[1] Autocar seemed to reprint the same acceleration data in 3 different articles, but other data varies such as top speed...
[2] Same car, tested 2-years and 40K miles apart.

2.7-liter 986 Boxster

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

Boxster

ROW, 2756 lbs, 2.7L
220 bhp, 192 lb-ft

Autocar
11/10/1999

6.4

15.5

9.1

14.9 sec
@ 98 mph

n/a

154 ft

n/a

Boxster

2778 lbs, 2.7L
217 bhp, 192 lb-ft

Car and Driver
Aug-2000

6.2

16.0

9.8

n/a

Boxster

US, 3000 lbs, 2.7L
225 bhp, 192 lb-ft

Road & Track
May-2003

6.0

15.7

9.7

14.6 sec
@ 96.5 mph

n/a

0.91g

R&T
68.6-mph

113 ft

n/a

199 ft

Boxster

3000 lbs, 2.7L
228 bhp, 192 lb-ft

Automobile
Aug-2003

6.2

n/a

14.8 sec
@ 97 mph

n/a

0.98g

n/a

156 ft

n/a

3.2-liter 986 Boxster S

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

Boxster S

ROW, 2856 lbs, 3.2L
252 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Autocar
07/14/1999 [1]

6.0

14.2

8.2

14.3 sec
@ 99 mph

161

n/a

144 ft

n/a

Boxster S

2855 lbs, 3.2L
250 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Edmunds

5.8

n/a

14.3 sec
@ 99.9 mph

n/a

Ed.
64.6-mph

122 ft

n/a

Boxster S

ROW, 3.2L
252 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Top Gear
Jan-2000

5.9

14.4

8.5

14.5 sec
@ 100.4 mph

162

n/a

155 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 3018 lbs, 3.2L
250 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Car and Driver
Jan-2000

5.2

13.6

8.4

13.8 sec
@ 101 mph

160

0.92g

n/a

168 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 2855 lbs, 3.2L
250 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Road & Track
January 2000

5.5

13.7

8.2

14.0 sec
@ 101.0 mph

n/a

R&T
65.7-mph

129 ft

n/a

212 ft

Boxster S

US, 2855 lbs, 3.2L
250 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Motor Trend February 2000

5.8

n/a

14.3 sec
@ 98.9 mph

n/a

MT
68.1-mph

118 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 3020 lbs, 3.2L
250 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Road & Track
Sep-2000

5.6

n/a

14.0 sec
@ 100.5 mph

n/a

0.93g

R&T
65.6-mph

125 ft

n/a

219 ft

Boxster S

2855 lbs, 3.2L
250 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Motor Trend
Sep-2000

5.3

n/a

13.9 sec
@ 100.7 mph

n/a

0.98g

MT
70.2 mph

117 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 3.2L
250 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Motor Week
Program 1913

5.5

n/a

13.9 sec
@ 102 mph

n/a

99 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 3042 lbs, 3.2L
250 bhp, 225 lb-ft

Car and Driver
August-2001

5.3

13.5

8.2

13.9 sec
@ 102 mph

155

0.93g

n/a

165 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 2999 lbs, 3.2L
258 bhp, 229 lb-ft

Motor Trend
May 2003

5.3

n/a

13.8 sec
@ 102.1 mph

n/a

0.93g

MT
68.3-mph

112 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 3.2L
258 bhp

Motor Trend August 2004

5.4

13.5

8.1

13.8 sec
@ 102.4 mph

n/a

0.93g

MT
70.9-mph

110 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 3080 lbs, 3.2L
258 bhp, 229 lb-ft

Road & Track
Oct-2004

5.5

n/a

14.0 sec
@ 99 mph

160

0.92g

R&T
68.7-mph

120 ft

n/a

197 ft

[1] Something is strange... they say it takes less time to reach 100-mph than 99-mph in the quarter mile.

RUF 986 Variants

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

3400 S

ROW, 2860 lbs, 3.4L
310 bhp, 265 lb-ft

Road & Track
Special, Dec-01

5.1

12.4

7.3

13.6 sec
@ 103.4 mph

n/a

0.90g

n/a

121 ft

n/a

210 ft

2.7-liter 987 Boxster

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

Boxster

ROW, 2.7L
240 bhp, 199 lb-ft

Autocar
01/11/2005

6.1

15.1

9.0

n/a

157

n/a

Boxster

3000 lbs, 2.7L
240 bhp, 199 lb-ft

Automobile
Feb-2005

5.9

n/a

14.5 sec
@ 98 mph

n/a

0.94g

n/a

151 ft

n/a

3.2-liter 987 Boxster S

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

Boxster S

US, 3130 lbs, 3.2L
280 bhp, 236 lb-ft

Road & Track
March-2005

5.0

12.2

7.2

13.4 sec
@ 105.0 mph

n/a

1.00g

R&T
73.9-mph

107 ft

n/a

187 ft

Boxster S

US, 3096 lbs, 3.2L
280 bhp, 236 lb-ft

Motor Trend
April 2005

5.0

12.8

7.8

13.4 sec
@ 103.9 mph

n/a

0.97g

MT
73.2-mph

107 ft

n/a

Boxster S

ROW, 3100 lbs, 3.2L
276 bhp, 236 lb-ft

Automobile
May-2006

5.4

13.1

7.7

13.9 sec
@ 103 mph

n/a

1.02g

n/a

146 ft

n/a

Boxster S

US, 3.2L
280 bhp, 236 lb-ft

Motor Week
Program #2427

5.1

n/a

13.7 sec
@ 102 mph

n/a

122 ft

n/a

Boxster S
Tiptronic

US, 3053 lbs, 3.2L
280 bhp, 236 lb-ft

Edmunds
05-11-2005

6.1

n/a

14.3 sec
@ 101 mph

n/a

105 ft

n/a

3.4-liter 987 Boxster S

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

Boxster S

US, 3108 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Car and Driver
April-2007

4.9

11.5

6.6

13.4 sec
@ 107 mph

169 mph

0.93g

n/a

165 ft

n/a

2.7-liter 987 Cayman

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

Cayman

US, 2986 lbs, 2.7L
245 bhp, 210 lb-ft

Edmunds
12/20/2006

5.8

n/a

14.2 sec
@ 99.3 mph

n/a

0.93g

Ed.
70.2-mph

112 ft

n/a

Cayman

ROW, 2870 lbs, 2.7L
245 bhp, 201 lb-ft

Road & Track
January 2007

5.3

13.6

8.3

13.9 sec
@ 100.9 mph

n/a

0.90g

R&T
69.9-mph

110 ft

n/a

194 ft

3.4-liter 987 Cayman S

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

Cayman S

ROW, 2955 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Road & Track
November 2005

4.8

11.7

6.9

13.3 sec
@ 106.2 mph

171 (est)

0.96g

R&T
71.7-mph

110 ft

n/a

190 ft

Cayman S

ROW, 3100 lbs, 3.4L
291 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Car and Driver
November 2005

5.1

12.0

6.9

13.4 sec
@ 105 mph

171 (est)

n/a

147 ft

n/a

Cayman S

ROW, 2954 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Autocar
01/24/2006

5.1

12.0

6.9

n/a

171

n/a

Cayman S

US, 2954 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Edmunds
01-30-2006

5.0

n/a

13.2 sec
@ 105 mph

n/a

Ed.
72.2-mph

106 ft

n/a

Cayman S

US, 2974 lbs, 3.4L
291 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Car and Driver
March 2006

5.3

12.2

6.9

13.6 sec
@ 105 mph

171 (est)

0.96g

n/a

165 ft

n/a

Cayman S

US, 3088 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Motor Trend
April 2006

4.8

11.9

7.1

13.3 sec
@ 104.6 mph

n/a

0.94g

MT
72.2-mph

109 ft

n/a

Cayman S

US, 3122 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Car and Driver
August 2006

4.8

11.4

6.6

13.3 sec
@ 107 mph

166

0.99g

n/a

154 ft

n/a

Cayman S

US, 3109 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Motor Trend
August 2006

4.8

11.8

7.0

13.3 sec
@ 105.0 mph

n/a

1.01g

MT
69.1-mph

116 ft

n/a

Cayman S

US, 3139 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp

Road & Track
August 2006

4.8

11.4

6.6

13.2 sec
@ 106.5 mph

n/a

0.98g

R&T
74.2-mph

112 ft

n/a

195 ft

Cayman S

US, 3150 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Road & Track
September 2006

4.9

12.2

7.3

13.4 sec
@ 105.3 mph

n/a

0.95g

R&T
70.6-mph

116 ft

n/a

203 ft

Cayman S

US, 2954 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Edmunds
Oct 09, 2006

5.0

n/a

13.3 sec
@ 104.4 mph

n/a

0.94g

Ed.
72.1-mph

105 ft

n/a

Cayman S

US, 2954 lbs, 3.4L
295 bhp, 251 lb-ft

Autoweek
11/06/2006

5.0

n/a

13.6 sec
@ 104.9 mph

n/a

0.92g

AW
45.5-mph

112 ft

n/a

RUF 987 Variants

Road Test Information

Acceleration / Speed

Handling

Braking

Model

Specification

Source

0-60 mph

0-100 mph

60-100 mph

¼ Mile

Max mph

Skidpad

Slalom

60-0 (ft)

70-0 (ft)

80-0 (ft)

RK Coupé

ROW, 3210 lbs, 3.8L
440 bhp, 347 lb-ft

Road & Track
November 2006

3.8

9.2

5.4

12.2 sec
@ 115.7 mph

n/a

0.96g

R&T
70.1-mph

117 ft

n/a

200 ft