BOXSTER TRICKS

‘ In the old days,’ wrote Jeremy Clarkson, ‘Porsches were flawed and a bit flamboyant...

You got the impression they were designed by people who understood the whole business of cars.’ What the veteran journalist ignored in this 2008 article is that without the excellent, efficiently-built and pragmatic Boxster, the actual business of Porsche may well not have survived the decade.

The 1990s was a period of modernisation for Germany’s industry. In the wake of national reunification, this was much-needed. And while it was an icon of German car making, Porsche was struggling. This flawed and flamboyant marque faced very modern pressures from a looming global recession and a strong national currency.

Sensibly, Porsche commissioned a review by people who really understood the whole car business. The result was the application of efficient