The Boxster has always had a strange place in the Porsche lineup. It was introduced as an entry level model in 1996 to attract new buyers to the brand. Porsche decided to design it with a mid engine layout instead of their trademark rear engine layout that they’ve used on all of the 911’s. While the original Boxster was sporty, I don’t think very many people viewed it as a true sports car. Things got tricky as the Boxster became a sales success and Porsche began to improve its performance. The mid engine layout used in the Boxster and its sister car, the Cayman, is theoretically superior to the rear engine layout Porsche has gotten to work so well in the 911. Last year’s hardcore performance variants, the Boxster Spyder and the Cayman R, started to get dangerously close to outshining Porsche’s venerable 911. Some of the media reviewers even thought that Porsche purposely limited the performance on the Spyder and R with inferior spec tires so that they wouldn’t compete directly with the bread and butter 911.

Now there’s a new completely redesigned Boxster for 2012. Chris Harris attended the launch at the Route Napoleon on behalf of the DRIVE channel to review the new car. I’d say that this is one of his best reviews. First, he addresses the heritage and expectations of the new model. Then he talks about what he loves about the car and he’s realistic about the parts that bother him. Harris has an unparalleled ability to convey what a car is like to drive with his words and it really shows here. He concludes with a very interesting comparison between the new Boxster and the current 911 that may surprise you.