Rare Car Archive

Makes › Porsche Germany › Boxster › Boxster Spyder (981) · Rare specification · 2016

Porsche
Boxster Spyder (981)

Final 981 Boxster special edition

Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

Porsche Boxster Spyder (981) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Porsche Boxster Spyder (981) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
?ProductionNot yet verified
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
Not yet verified
Years
2016
Engine
Flat-six, mid-mounted · 3,800 cc / 3.8 LFactory: 3.8 L
Power
280 kW / 380 PSFactory: 375 hp · converted
Top speed
290 km/hFactory: 180 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 981 Spyder is the most extreme version of the 981 Boxster and the last naturally aspirated Boxster. It takes the 3.8-litre flat-six from the 911 Carrera S and was built as a limited-production model. Car and Driver described it as a close kin to the Cayman GT4.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityNot yet assessed Production figure not yet verified.
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

No production figures recorded yet.

History

The Spyder replaced the previous model's bikini top with a roof that is still largely manual but far easier to erect and stow. Evo had called the old manual roof little more than a shower cap.

Car and Driver tested the 2016 car in June 2016. Motor Trend tested it on the Big Island of Hawaii and noted that its suspension is akin to a Cayman GTS while its adjustable parts come from the 911 GT3.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Boxster Spyder (981).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutFlat-six, mid-mounted1 Independently researched
Displacement 3,800 cc / 3.8 LFactory: 3.8 L2,3 Independently researched
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 280 kW / 380 PSFactory: 375 hp · converted2 Independently researched
Power at 6,700 rpm2 Independently researched
Torque 419 NmFactory: 309 lb-ft · converted2,1 Independently researchedEvo (S3) gives 310 lb-ft. The two magazines agree on 309, which is used here.
Torque at 4,750 rpm2 Independently researched

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxSix-speed manual only1 Independently researched
GearsNot yet verified
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
WheelbaseNot yet verified
LengthNot yet verified
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,380 kgFactory: 3,040 lb · converted2 Independently researched
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 290 km/hFactory: 180 mph · converted2,3Manufacturer estimate as printed by Car and Driver.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
0–60 mph 4.3 s1Manufacturer claim as reported by MotorTrend and evo.
Standing ¼ mile 12.2 s2 Independently researchedCar and Driver test; trap speed 116 mph.
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder First Drive Level C MotorTrend
    • its mid-engine platform
    • 375 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque
    • as long as it's a six-speed manual
    • a claimed 4.3 seconds
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  2. 2
    Tested: 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder Level C Tony Quiroga · Car and Driver · 2016-06-23
    • the old naturally aspirated 3.8-liter
    • 375 hp @ 6700 rpm
    • 309 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm
    • Curb weight: 3040 lb
    • Top speed (mfr's est): 180 mph
    • 12.2 sec @ 116 mph
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    Porsche Boxster Spyder review - prices, specs and 0-60 time Level C Henry Catchpole · evo
    • The Spyder's 3.8-litre engine
    • top speed of 180mph
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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