Drivers need to be careful not to scrape the rear of the car with the various bits of hardware and cables that may dangle from the top in the process. This roof isn’t quiet or air tight, and one could even slip their hand into the car between the roof and window with a bit of effort. It does keep heat nicely in the cabin though, even in sub-zero temperatures.

In all, working and living with this new lightweight roof may be a bit of a pain, but top-down cruising in a car like this does provide plenty of redemption. That’s especially true when firing its exotic, wailing exhaust note off of nearby buildings, tunnel walls and motorists.

This roof isn’t quiet or air tight, and one could even slip their hand into the car between the roof and window with a bit of effort. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com)

A 7,500 RPM mechanical symphony
A hand-built 3.4 litre flat six engine is mounted down low just behind the passenger compartment. The engine is only accessible from underneath so it can’t be seen-- but boy oh boy, can you ever hear it.

With the optional performance exhaust kit put in its ‘loud’ setting, drivers, their lucky passenger and everyone within about a half a mile can clearly hear the engine’s every breath. Each touch of the throttle is met with an aggressive increase in exhaust volume and forward momentum, and downshifting to pass is strictly optional.

Shifted fast and hard, Boxster Spyder absolutely leaps into the next gear, especially with the optional short-throw shifter fitted. Drivers will likely find excuses to swap cogs as often as possible, even if the engine will happily pull things along from 2000 RPM or less.

Opened up, the high-strung mill flings the Spyder’s body down the road and out of corners with tremendous urgency, and thrust piles on heavily towards the 7,500 RPM redline. This engine performs best when its spinning fast, and its sound effects will likely play in the heads of drivers while they try to sleep.

Sucking you in…
Add in the stiff clutch and a lightning-quick, road-reading steering system, and you’ve got a drop-top that really and truly sucks its pilot into the experience of performance motoring. Of course, the lowered suspension, stiffened springs and widened track kick up the Boxster’s already-exceptional handling even further. You work to drive this car fast, but its endlessly rewarding.

Despite the performance, it gets very good highway cruising mileage, too. With both a trunk and a ‘frunk’, there’s even plenty of space for two people’s worth of luggage.

With both a trunk and a ‘frunk’, there’s even plenty of space for two people’s worth of luggage. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com)

Still, and obviously, this isn’t a car for everyone.

Boxster Spyder is cramped, rough, noisy and short on interior space. Thing is, for those after a world-class, top-down driving experience unparalleled in hardcore factor and simplicity, it makes plenty of sense. As a performance car that puts on a show for its driver, the Boxster Spyder absolutely hits the nail on the head.

As an exclusive, no-B.S. performance weapon, it’s a one-of-a-kind machine. Pricing starts in the low seventies.