Porsche Boxster 2013 Drivers Criticize The

While most reviewers are floored by the 2013 Boxsters refined powertrain and athletic handling, a handful of test drivers criticize the new Boxsters steering system, saying that it lacks the feel of the old model.

The extra width adds a measure of stability that makes it very, very easy to drive quickly.

Most test drives so far have been in the more powerful Boxster S, which earns praise for its smooth power delivery.

Porsche Boxster 2013 Manual Transmission Comes

Regardless of which Boxster you choose, a six-speed manual transmission comes standard.

Porsche offers an optional, seven-speed PDK automated manual transmission, as well as a Sport Chrono package, which both improve performance.

Adding the PDK and the Sport Chrono package will shave 0.3 seconds off the base Boxsters 0-to-60 time.

With its additional power, the Boxster S has a top speed of about 173 mph and will make the same sprint in 4.8 seconds with a six-speed manual.

Adding the PDK and Sport Chrono package will lower the Boxster S 0-to-60 time to 4.5 seconds.

According to the EPA, the 2013 Boxster gets 2232 mpg cityhighway or 2030 mpg when equipped with a PDK or manual transmission, respectively.

Thats better than the outgoing model, which got 2029 mpg cityhighway with the PDK or 1927 mpg with the six-speed manual.

However, the PDK dual-clutch seven-speed is also pretty outstanding.

In automatic mode, the PDK upshifts smoothly with a slight pause-not because it takes long to swap gears, but to make the engine sounds that you associate with manual shifting.

Additionally, test drivers havent reached a consensus on the Boxsters new steering system.

Some think that the feel and precision are brilliant, while others say that they feel less connected with the road than they did in the old Boxster.

But it is, and as much as I respect what the engineers have done with the new system -- its accurate and quick and all that stuff -- the emotional connection is gone.