Porsche Boxster Concept (1993)

The early 1990s were a time of global recession. With declining sales and high production costs, this was a financially challenging especially time for Porsche. So, you can imagine how surprised the visitors of the 1993 Detroit Auto Show were, when Porsche revealed a completely new concept car.

And what a car it was! Visitors were enchanted by this genuine mid-engined sports car. And it also had a cool name, the Boxster. The name that covered both the vehicle category and the engine.

Porsche Boxster Concept

Inspired by the design of the the 550 Spyder and the RS 60 of the 1950s, the exterior appearance of the Porsche Boxster concept was characterised by highly unexpected proportions. The Boxster caught the attention with its long wheelbase mid-engine concept. While the body overhang at the rear appears very short, the front end, with the integrated radiator, extends well beyond the front axle.

Distinctive air intakes and air outlet openings were important design elements, as were the headlights with innovative lighting technology and also the tail lights and direction indicators. The exhaust system, with a centrally positioned exhaust tailpipe, was fully integrated into the shape of the body. The interior was designed to match, with metal painted in the exterior colour used on the door panels, instrument carrier and centre console.

The Star of the Show

The Boxster became the star of the Detroit Motor Show. Many visitors were so intrigued by the Boxster that the wanted to place their orders. They wanted the car which at that point was officially only a concept, a design study of a future sports car. So, after this overwhelmingly positive response from the public, the design team got a new order. The instruction was to “build a sports car exactly like that!”

Within three years, the Boxster was ready for production. Usually the concept cars look amazing with their unique design, but when the car finally goes into production, they look something much more dull. But not the boxster. When the production model was unveiled in 1996, it looked very much like the concept.

Porsche Boxster Concept Dimensions

• Length: 4115 mm (162.0″)
• Front width: 1,724 mm (67.9″)
• Rear width: 1,740 mm (68.5″)
• Height: 1,240 mm (48.8″)
• Wheelbase: 2,400 mm (94.5″)
• Front track: 1,472 mm (57.9″)
• Rear track: 1,486 mm (58.5″)
• Front tyres: 205/50 ZR 17
• Rear tyres: 225/45 ZR 17

Images by Porsche