The Porsche Boxster is a mid-engined roadster built by Porsche. The Boxster was designed by Harm Lagaay from the beginning as a roadster and not as a hardtop or coupes. The Porsche Boxster was introduced in 1996 for the 1997 model year by Porsche. The Porsche Boxster was available in different variations and received several new cosmetic and mechanical upgrades, further increasing engine output and performance. The Boxster's name is a portmanteau of the word "boxer", referring to the vehicles horizontally-opposed or "boxer" engine, and the word "roadster", referring to the vehicle's two seat capacity and convertible top.
In 2000, the new Boxster S variant was introduced. In 2005, Porsche introduced the new generation of Boxsters called the type 987. The Boxster 987 was inspired by the Carrera GT and was more powerful than first generation and S variant. In 2007 the engine output and the design was improved. The Boxster was Porsche's biggest volume seller from its introduction in model year 1997 until 2003 when the company introduced the Cayenne sport utility vehicle.