2009 Porsche Boxster and Boxster S

The open-top Porsche Boxster is the perfect car for Southern California. And it is only fitting that the 2nd-generation 2009 Boxster and its sportier Boxster S sibling would make their world debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

On the outside, there are only a few exterior changes that set the new Boxster apart from its predecessor. Besides the new wheel design, the front bumper houses wider side air intakes and the rear bumper is slightly more curvaceous to give the car a more aggressive stance. New halogen headlights incorporate directional indicators. Dynamic directional bi-Xenon headlamps are available as an option.

Though some may argue that these small styling changes do not amount to much, rest assured that it is what's underneath the car that will impress. New for the Boxster is a 2.9-liter flat-6 engine rated at 252 bhp. And for the sportier Boxster S, a new 3.4-liter produces 306 bhp, aided by direct fuel injection that also helps fuel economy. With the optional 7-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe double-clutch gearbox (which replaces the Tiptronic automatic transmission), and the available limited-slip differential, both Boxsters have become even better-balanced track machines.

A day before the official premier of the new Boxsters at the Los Angeles Auto Show, we got a sneak peak and a drive of the S at nearby Willow Springs Raceway. The current Boxster S has the incredible balance and fluidity. Well, the new car has even more grip, speed and stability, and ultra-fast 7-speed PDK gearbox makes the S a superb track-capable machine for drivers of all levels of experience. And of course, with the top down, the Boxster also makes a great tanning machine in the Golden State's year-round sun.