Perfection. Few automakers dare to tread onto a word that stands for such simple and stunning beauty. After all, cars are just not perfect, and most automakers are loath to raise the bar on the products they sell to such a ridiculous level.

Most are not Porsche, however, and Porsche is all about perfection. They even said so, during the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show debut of the 2005 Porsche Boxster and Boxster S. With a straight and serious face, Wolfgang Durheimer, director of research and development, unabashedly and without hint of marketing-speak proclaimed that they were approaching perfection with the latest evolution of the popular roadster.

He may well be right. The 2005 Porsche Boxster has been significantly upgraded throughout, with up to 80 percent of the existing Boxster scrutinized and tweaked for the 2005 model year. Significant changes include a more aggressive design, larger air intakes, new single oval headlights, and a widened stance. The 2005 Porsche Boxster and Boxster S have more powerful engines, new transmissions, larger wheels - 17 inch wheels for the Boxster, 18-inch wheels for the Boxster S - and new-generation high-performance tires. There's more room inside for drivers, passengers and luggage, and improvements to the interior are stunning. The Boxster and Boxster S are equipped with stronger braking systems, the latest computerized vehicle control and performance-enhancing technologies, and are the first roadsters equipped with standard head-protection side airbags.

Porsche also "evolved" the price of the Boxster to $43,800 and $53,100 for the Boxster S. For that amount, which is a bit less than 2004 Boxsters, buyers get a 2.7-liter, horizontally opposed, six-cylinder "boxer" engine that generates 240 horsepower and 199 lb.-ft. of torque. This newfound power accelerates the Boxster from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds and can reach a test-track speed of 159 miles per hour. The Boxster S improves on those numbers, going from 0-60 in 5.2 seconds thanks to a 3.2-liter "boxer" six-cylinder engine that is rated at 280 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Controlled by a standard six-speed manual transmission, this engine takes the Boxster S to a test-track speed of 167 miles per hour. According to Porsche, nearly 55 percent of the Boxster's components - including the steering, front structure, seats and electronics - come from the 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera. New features include the Porsche Stability Management as standard equipment, with Porsche Active Suspension Management, Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes and Porsche's Sports Chrono Package as options.

By Brian Chee