il pirata

Nice article in January Panorama discussing the 981 with X73 option and a Boxster Spyder.

mikejohn

Link to article?

il pirata

None. You have to be PCA member to get the magazine.

perretar

What is the X73 option ?

sjfehr

Sport Suspension, which I'm actually REALLY interested in. I've got my copy, but am backlogged about 2 months with my magazines- will have to check it out.

Keadog

Mine hasn't arrived yet

sjfehr

Ah dammit, couldn't find the article in either Jan or Feb Excellence and then realized Panorama isn't Excellence and I don't actually get Panorama anymore. DOH! Any PCA members care to share the synopsis?

terbiumactivated

To be told, you have to be a PCA member with your freshly ironed jacket, patch, embroidered name and stuffy pals, when you get there they will tell you.

il pirata

I have an email into Pete Stout asking is they can make a digital version of the article available...in the meantime...

The title of the Article is Analog as in analog suspension.

The article is written by Alexander Palevsky with Pete Stout contributing a Counterpoint section to the article. The X73 suspension was based on the work done for the Boxster Spyder with some slight differences due to the 981 platform being more rigid and weighing a bit more. They drive a new 2014 Boxster (base) with manual, X73, limited slip/PTV, 19" wheels, and some other options and a Boxster Spyder owned by the author (manual, sport seats not buckets, etc). They are both hugh fans of the Spyder and 981.

Summary of article is you HAVE to order the Boxster with X73 and 19" wheels. If in the budget add limited slip w/PTV. Total of all three is about $4115. They mention Bi-Xenon lights, Sport exhaust and sports seats plus as tempting.

Marine Blue

I haven't read the article yet but I look forward to it!

Having said that, when I test drove the 981 Boxster S a couple of years ago on the street the one on road difference that stood out in my mind was the handling and feedback. I preferred the Spyder in this regards. While many say it isn't s obvious on the street I have to disagree, if you're immersed in the experience and focused on what the car is doing you can feel the difference. My thought at that time was a new Boxster S with sport suspension would be very close to the Spyder in terms of handling. When you bring the daily driver usability and the more modern interior into the picture it makes for a very attractive and beautifully executed package.

I'm curious how the Cayman compares...

sjfehr

That sounds about exactly like the car I was considering ordering for DD/autocross- Boxster (base) with sport suspension, sport chrono, PTV, PDK, and the seats with the big bolsters, forget what Porsche calls them; I think it would be very competitive in SCCA A Street class. Wasn't sure of X73 was too rough/too low, though, and if PASM was more appropriate for a daily driven competition car.

jabo

http://pca.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vpca14/i1/p1


The issue is available digitally.

il pirata

Nice!

hf1

Looks like 981 + X73 won and the X73 sport suspension is a must on any 981, especially given the relatively low (in Porsche terms) $1235 price.

Marine Blue

With a more modern, stiffer chassis and similar suspension setup as the Spyder I'm not surprised at how good it is. I have to admit, I expected the Spyder's lighter weight and lower COG to be an advantage but I guess not.

A Spyder version of the 981 with true lightweight roof, more power and some changes to the body could make it even more amazing!