That's all changed. The genuine leather is complemented by very nice fake leather and authentic-looking fake aluminum trim, the plastic looks expensive, and the layout is as pleasing to look as it is a rational display of various data. Function is improved with switches redesigned for easier use.
As it should be, the tachometer still has predominance in the three-gauge cluster. The instruments are black-faced in the Boxster and a light gray in the Boxster S, and their readability has been increased by a change from yellow to white LEDs. Data from the Sports Chrono system are displayed in the lower third of the tachometer's dial.
A spiffy new console integrates the climate controls and sound system, its revised set of switches a huge improvement over the previous unit. Here again, readability has been enhanced by a change to white LEDs. Music lovers can move up from the basic system to Porsche Sound Package Plus, which somehow manages to fit in seven speakers, an external analog amplifier, two tweeters, a subwoofer in the instrument panel, and door-mounted woofers and subwoofers on each side. If that isn't enough to pound your eardrums into submission, consider the 11-speaker Bose surround sound system, which includes a seven-channel amplifier. Top-down enjoyment of your tunes isn't too badly compromised.
Should finding your way around be an issue, fitting Porsche Communication Management ($2,640) makes sense. The nav system is now DVD-based via a separate module in the front trunk, which frees up the dash-mounted CD drive for music discs. And notice we said front" trunk. One of the Boxster's delights is stowage both fore and aft, with no compromise to the rear trunk's 4.6 cubic feet even when the top is stowed away. Unlike many other two-seaters, the Boxster can actually haul enough luggage for an extended road trip for two."
