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Porsche’s Boxster Spyder is a raw 280kW beast

 

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Manual-only, equipped with a fabric roof operated by hand, and motivated by a large 3.8-litre flat six: yep, Porsche’s new Boxster Spyder is deeply desirable.

We were there for the debut of the Boxster Spyder overnight at the New York Auto Show, and it’s captivating in the flesh. Check out the humps behind the headrests – an ode to the 718 Spyder from 1957. The interior is delightfully simple as a result of cutting as much weight as possible: there are fabric seats, no frills, and a stick between the two front pews (and no automatic is available).

Neither a radio nor air conditioning come as standard – they can be put back in for no cost, but do you really need them? You can also tick cost-option boxes for satellite navigation among other amenities.

Largely, this is a drop-top alternative to the intense new Cayman GT4 coupe – and it’s almost as powerful, too. It’ll hit 100 in just 4.3 seconds. It receives upgraded brakes, more direct steering and a smaller steering wheel (360mm compared to 370mm) to make corner-carving even more enjoyable.

We don’t have a firm Australian price yet, but the American sticker of about US$84,000 indicates we’ll be looking north of $200,000 once this hits our roads very late in 2015.