New Porsche Boxster Spyder revealed

- Read all the latest news from the New York motor show here

Porsche has revealed the second-generation Boxster Spyder at the New York motor show, confirming the racy two seat open top will receive a 276kW version of the company's naturally aspirated 3.8-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder petrol engine capable of propelling it to a claimed top speed of 290km/h.

Set for Australian sale in limited numbers by the end of 2015, the latest Boxster model receives a series of traditional Spyder design cues, including its own unique manual hood structure, which has been developed specifically for use on the new car.

Lower than the standard automatically operated hood used on other Boxster models, it revives the classic fin design first seen on the classic Porsche 550 Spyder from 1953 and stows underneath a newly reworked boot lid.

Further distinguishing design features used by the Boxster Spyder include the so-called streamliner humps. Set behind the exposed roll over hoops, they recall the look of the classic 718 Spyder – the low set two seater that replaced the iconic 550 Spyder in 1957.

Other stylistic changes include the adoption of new bumpers that share design elements with those recently brought to the new Cayman GT4, including a prominent rear diffuser element and centrally mounted twin chromed tailpipes.    

Power for the Boxster Spyder comes from Porsche's naturally aspirated 3.8-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder petrol engine – the same unit recently brought to the highly acclaimed Cayman GT4. Mounted behind the two seat cabin, it has been tuned to deliver 33kW more than the smaller 3.4-litre engine used by the Boxster/Cayman GTS at 276kW.

By comparison, the first generation Boxster Spyder used a older generation 3.4-litre six-cylinder petrol engine delivering 236kW.

As on the Cayman GT4, drive is channeled exclusively through a standard six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels.  Unlike other Boxster models, Porsche does not plan to offer buyers the choice of an optional seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, preferring to hold true to the self shifting mantra of its early Spyder models.    

The most powerful Boxster model to date is claimed to hit 100km/h in just 4.5sec and reach a top speed of 290km/h. This compares to respective figures of 5.0sec and 281km/h for the manual version of the Boxster GTS launched last year and 4.4sec and 295km/h for the newly introduced Cayman GT4. Official fuel consumption is put at 9.9L/100km.

The Boxster Spyder rides as standard on sport suspension featuring a 20mm reduction in ride height over the Boxster and features 20-inch wheels shod with 245/35 and 295/30 profile tyres. Further changes include a more direct electro-mechanical steering system and a brake package borrowed from the 911 Carrera.

Inside, there are lightweight manually adjustable carbon fibre backed sport seats and a new sports steering wheel boasting a diameter of 360mm among other subtle changes.

In keeping with the purist nature of the new car, Porsche has decided to offer the Boxster Spyder in Europe without a radio or air conditioning system. But the car will be offered in Australia with a high level of equipment, including a full multi media system with sat nav and superior audio as well as cruise control, heated seats and dual-zone air con.

The Boxster Spyder will cost $169,000 (plus on-road charges) when it arrives in local showrooms around August.