981 BOXSTER 2.7
By the time of the 981-generation Boxster’s arrival in 2012, Porsche’s calculated merging of 911 and Boxster assembly lines as a means of radically cutting the cost of vehicle production and, crucially, helping the company to return to financial stability was less pronounced. Some still saw the 986 and the 987 as much ‘lesser’ than the 911, but with the 981 (and certainly by the time of 981 Spyder and Cayman GT4 production), the Boxster finally branched out on its own.
When the 991 was released at the back end of 2011, 911 ownership was immediately opened up to a much wider audience, now encompassing those with little experience of time in charge of a sports car. Increased accessibility was chiefly down to a higher number of driver aids, including electronically assisted steering — where the 997 and earlier 911s would punish their pilot for not concentrating, the 991 made allowances for driver error. Purists didn’t see this as a positive character trait, but it was one which saw the 991 find favour with a new sales audience and go on to become the most
