
Nobody could ever accuse Porsche of not being exclusive enough.
What many would agree is the world's finest sports car already enjoys the enviable position of being so desirable that they'll probably never be able to produce enough to satisfy everybody who wants one.
But does that stop Porsche? Nope.
Porsche is introducing an all-new orange 2008 Limited Edition Boxster and Boxster S, and I expect them to go quickly.
First there's the price -- starting at $49,900 for the Boxster and $59,900 for the S model. If you were lucky, you got a look at this car at the N.Y. Auto Show where it was quite a hit.
Want one? Better hurry. There's only going to be 500 of these babies built, and since they went on sale September 28, you're already behind the eight ball if you want it.
Clad in striking orange paint, a color previously featured only with the track-ready Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the Limited Edition Boxster is as well-built as it is eye-catching and even includes a special "Limited Edition" plaque on the glove compartment. Its sport exhaust system, as well as the safety bars, designed to help protect occupants, are dressed in orange paint.
And the SportDesign package that includes spoiler lips in the front, an automatically extending and redesigned rear spoiler, and modified rear trim with integrated diffuser provides a more stunning and sporty appearance.
Complementing the orange paint are several eye-catching elements in black including black painted alloy wheels-- with large 18 inch standard on the Boxster and 19-inch standard on the Boxster S -- striking black exterior side mirrors, black front and side air inlets, all of which tastefully complement the car's model designation in black on the rear deck and a black convertible top. Black carries over to the seats, carpet, dash, door panels and other surrounding soft surfaces.
Adding to the performance theme is the use of Alcantara trim, a suede-like material used on performance Porsches such as the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS. Alcantara is pleasant to touch, but it also helps occupants stay planted in the interior during sporty driving. Alcantara trim is used on seat inserts, the three-spoke steering wheel from the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS, and gear shift and handbrake lever on vehicles with manual transmission.
To further tie the interior and exterior, Porsche designers added touches of bright orange to interior trim pieces such as the door lever surrounds and the trim panel that covers the dash-mounted cup holders. Even the gray shift pattern on the gear shift lever carries an orange font.
Need more room than you can get in a Boxster? Check out the all-new 2008 Cayenne.
This new Cayenne is the second generation of this model. The first one was launched in 2002, much to the chagrin of Porsche purists who attacked the company for introducing an SUV.
Of course, it's easy to complain when you aren't paying the bills or competing in the market with an increasingly bewildering number of products.
Clearly, somebody's not going to make it, and no doubt, Porsche didn't want to be the odd carmaker out.
Porsche officials knew full well that if they were to retain an independent company building fabulous sports cars, they needed to diversify and bring out at least one mainstream product.
The Cayenne has been successful, and the new one looks to be just as adept at ringing the cash registers at Porsche.
First, there's the look. Though the basic theme and broad elements remain in place, the new Cayenne looks more graceful and balanced than the old model. The old model looked somewhat awkward because the grill design and some other styling elements made it look high and narrow.
But with a new front end, broad wheel arches, lower hood line and more dramatic, aggressive-looking headlight designs, the new Cayenne seems more balanced, muscular and confident.
There's new technology, too. An optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control feature with active anti-roll bars basically eliminates body roll when you are heading around curves. There's also a rollover sensor that will engage the belt latch tensioners and prepare the air bags if you experience an emergency.
In addition, all Cayenne engines now have a standard push-button Sports mode, which results in instant, solid acceleration when you want it.
There's a Cayenne base model that starts at $43,800, powered by a 290-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6; a Cayenne S that starts at $57,900 and comes with a 385-horsepower, 4.8-liter V-8; and a Cayenne Turbo starting at $93,700.
That last one has a 500-horsepower, 4.8-liter V-8. With a top speed of 171 mpg, you hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.
So how does it drive? Like a Porsche.
You feel at one with the car. It goes precisely where you want it to go, with well-balanced steering that somehow manages to be compliant enough for the job, yet requires enough input and involvement that it keeps that sports car feel.
The suspension system absorbs even the worst bumps and potholes, as I discovered during some of the proving-ground exercises. The dynamic chassis control system keeps all the harshness and most of the body shake tightly reined in.