Porsche Boxster (986)

Porsche 986
Porsche Boxster S (post-facelift)
Overview
Production	1996–2004
Assembly	Germany: Stuttgart Finland: Uusikaupunki (under Valmet Automotive)
Designer	Grant Larson under Harm Lagaay (1992: concept; production: 1993)
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car (S)
Body style	2-door roadster
Layout	Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Related	Porsche 996
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L Porsche M96.20 flat-6 (1996–1999) 2.7 L M96.22/M96.23 flat-6 (1999–2004) 3.2 L M96.21/M96.24 flat-6 (1999–2004)
Transmission	5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1996–2002: 95.2 in (2,418 mm) 2002–2004: 95.1 in (2,416 mm)
Length	1996–2002: 171.0 in (4,343 mm) 2002–2004: 170.1 in (4,321 mm)
Width	70.1 in (1,781 mm)
Height	50.8 in (1,290 mm)
Curb weight	1,250–1,320 kg (2,756–2,910 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Porsche 968
Successor	Porsche 987

The Porsche 986 is the internal designation for the first generation Boxster, a mid-engine two-seater roadster built by German automobile manufacturer Porsche. Introduced in late 1996, the Boxster, based on the 1993 Boxster Concept, was Porsche's first road vehicle to be originally designed as a roadster since the 550 Spyder. The Boxster's name is derived from the word "boxer", referring to the vehicle's flat or "boxer" engine, and the name "speedster", first seen on the 356. Powered by a 2.5-litre flat six-cylinder engine, the base model was upgraded to a 2.7-litre engine in the year 2000 and a new Boxster S variant was introduced with a 3.2-litre engine. In 2003, styling and engine output was upgraded on both variants. The 986 was succeeded by the 987 which retained the Boxster roadster and added the Cayman fixed-roof coupé body style.

The 986 stimulated a commercial turnaround for Porsche, which during the early 1990s had been suffering with an ageing product range and falling sales, and it's credited with saving the company.^[1][2] The 986 Boxster was Porsche's biggest volume seller from its introduction in 1996 until the introduction of the Cayenne sport utility vehicle in 2003.^[1]