2013 Porsche Boxster: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2013 Porsche Boxster is a full redesign and the first model year of the 981 generation. The headline change is a lighter, longer-wheelbase structure joined by updated flat-six engines and a fully electric fabric top.
About the 2013 Porsche Boxster
3rd generation (981), first year of the redesign
Porsche positions the 2013 Boxster as a true mid-engine roadster: open-top, driver-focused, and tightly connected to the road. Its core appeal is balance rather than raw numbers alone, with a low seating position, compact size, and the engine mounted behind the seats for sharp responses in corners. Versus luxury-first roadsters, the Boxster is sold as the more serious sports car, but it still keeps real-day usability with twin cargo areas and an easy power top.
The base Boxster is the lighter-footed version, with a 265-hp 2.7-liter flat-six, balanced mid-engine handling, front and rear luggage compartments, and a 7-inch touchscreen. The more focused Boxster S has a 315-hp 3.4-liter flat-six, Bi-Xenon headlights, and center-mounted dual exhaust outlets.
What changed, by category
2013 Porsche Boxster specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6-Cyl, 3.4 Liter | 6-Cyl, 2.7 Liter |
| Transmission | Manual, 6-Spd | Manual, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30 mpg | 32 mpg |
| Horsepower | 315 hp | 265 hp |
| Torque | 266 lb-ft | 206 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 9.9 cu-ft | 9.9 cu-ft |
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Alarm System | ||
| Alloy Wheels | ||
| Fog Lights | ||
| HID Headlights | ||
| Rear Spoiler | ||
| Bluetooth | ||
| Premium Audio | ||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||
| Heated Front Seats | ||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||
| Leather Seats | ||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Porsche Boxster a new generation?
Yes. The 2013 Boxster begins the third-generation 981 model line, with a lighter mixed-metal body, a 2.3-inch-longer wheelbase, updated engines, and a fully electric fabric top.
What engines are in the 2013 Porsche Boxster?
The 2013 base Boxster has a 265-hp 2.7-liter flat-six, while the Boxster S has a 315-hp 3.4-liter flat-six. Both engines sit behind the seats, ahead of the rear axle.
How is the 2013 Porsche Boxster different from the 2012 model?
The 2013 Boxster is a complete redesign rather than a minor update. It has a lighter body, a wheelbase stretched by 2.3 inches, revised flat-six engines, a fully electric roof, larger standard wheels, and efficiency features such as auto start/stop and energy recuperation.
Did the Spyder and S Black Edition continue for 2013?
No. The 2012 Spyder and S Black Edition did not carry into the redesigned 2013 lineup, which consisted of the base Boxster and Boxster S.
Does the 2013 Porsche Boxster have a fully electric roof?
Yes. Every 2013 Boxster has a fully electric fabric top with a heated glass rear window.