First introduced in 1996, Porsche’s iconic Boxster roadster turns 25 years old this year. Right from the start, the attractively priced two-seater captured the hearts of new, younger customers, becoming Porsche’s top-selling model until the release of the Cayenne sport utility vehicle in 2003.
The Boxster name comes from the combination of “boxer,” a reference to its flat boxer engine, and “roadster,” a reference to its body style. (In boxer engines, opposing pistons move inwards and outwards at the same time, somewhat resembling the punching acting of boxers.)
Since its release, the Boxster has undergone three major redesigns, receiving a number of cosmetic and mechanical upgrades. The engine, for instance, evolved from a naturally aspirated flat six-cylinder to a small-displacement flat-four turbocharged unit. Porsche’s PDK gearbox also replaced the previously offered Tiptronic S automatic transmission.
Perhaps the biggest change came in 2006 with the launch of a hardtop version called the Cayman, named after caiman alligators. In 2016, Porsche renamed the vehicles the Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman, a nod to iconic Porsche race cars from the 1950s.
To mark Boxster’s birthday, Porsche is releasing a limited-edition model called the Boxster 25 Years (above). The car comes in gorgeous Neodyme, a copper-like shimmering brown meant to evoke the color of the first Boxster prototype unveiled at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show. In keeping with the style of the historic original, the special model combines a Bordeaux leather interior with a red fabric convertible top.
Update: Sorry, but the above example has found a home with one lucky Isringhausen customer.