By Sheldon Trollope

“WHERE SPORT BEGINS” seemed an appropriate tagline for the launch of the new Boxster at the Porsche City Centre on Leng Kee Road. Invited guests were treated to Thai kickboxing and Wushu displays performed on a specially constructed ring, from under which a brand new Boxster S ‘emerged’.

With strong interest shown from existing and prospective customers, local Porsche importer Stuttgart Auto reports that nearly 10 units have already been sold. For 2005, it expects to put 50 Boxsters on the road.

Porsche’s latest roadster is available in two models, the Boxster and Boxster S. The two variants will be powered by 2.7-litre and 3.2-litre engines respectively, and are available with either six-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmissions.

The new Boxster adopts much of the new 911’s dashboard architecture and switchgear. In addition, Boxster S customers can opt for a dash-mounted stopwatch or lap-timer, part of the Chrono pack option that is also available on the 911.

Prices range from $243,888 for a manual Boxster up to $279,888 for a Boxster S Tiptronic.