It's not so much a new model as a new car; if Porsche are to be believed the only thing carried over to the 2012 Boxster is the badge.
And yet is still recognisably a Porsche. How do they do it?
Zuffenhausen's mid-engined, open-top two-seater gets a completely revamped chassis and a new, lightweight body, with longer wheelbase, wider track and larger wheels, and new electro-mechanical power steering.
The overhangs are shorter, the windscreen is significantly further forward and the silhouette flatter. A completely new fully power-operated fabric top drops in behind the seats when is folded and obviates the need for a tonneau lid - which makes the cockpit considerably more spacious, even with the raked centre console that started with the Carrera GT and is spreading throughout Porsche's range.
At launch the range will comprise the classic Boxter and Boxter S pairing; the 3.4-litre, flat-six direct-injection, Boxster S engine has been tweaked to deliver an extra 3.5kW (up to 232kW), with electrical system recuperation, thermal management and stop/start function to keep it clean and green.
The Boxster, however gets, a new engine - in essence a scaled-down, 2.7-litre version of the Boxster S - which is rated at 195kW, 7.5kW more than its larger-displacement predecessor.
Each has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard with a seven-speed double-clutch semi-auto as an option - and, as usual, Porsche claims better acceleration (and lower fuel consumption) using the PDK transmission: 0-100 in 5.7 seconds and 7.7 litres per 100km for the 2.7-litre Boxster, 0-100 in five seconds flat and eight litres per 100km for the 3.4-litre Boxster S.
Options include a sport chrono package with (for the first time on a Boxster) dynamic transmission mounts, and torque vectoring with a mechanical rear axle differential lock.
The new Boxster will go on sale in Germany on April 14 at €48 291 (R496 000) for the Boxster and €59 120 (R607 000) for the Boxster S. South African pricing hasn't been set yet, but first deliveries here are expected in June.