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You can normally expect to get loads of attention driving a newly launched roadster. My first few miles in a BMW Z4 had people falling off the pavement in amazement, and I could barely get the new Mercedes SLK out of the garage for the mobs.

This brand new Porsche Boxster, though, provoked little more than the occasional half-interested double take, usually from the drivers of old Porsche Boxsters. That’s because the new car looks pretty much identical to the old one.

Which is remarkable, because Porsche says there isn’t a single body panel carried over from the old car and nearly 80% of the parts are new.

For the aficionados, there are ways of telling the cars apart. The new design aims to make the Boxster look more muscular, to lend it extra road presence to counter the new boys from Mercedes and BMW.

To that end the front and rear wings are beefier. The air scoops in front of the rear wheel arches are bigger and the doorsills are more substantial. The wheels are also bigger, going from 16in to 17in on entry level models. Where the old car had concave surfaces on the doors, the new doors swell outwards, lending more bulk to the profile.

The nose has been subtly made over, too, with restyled headlights and large air intakes.

But Porsche argues that, like its 911, the Boxster’s basic shape is a timeless piece of design, one that will evolve by small increments rather than the huge step-changes taken by the likes of BMW when the Z4 replaced the Z3. Given that the 911 has lasted more than 40 years with a shape that hasn’t fundamentally changed, we can’t really expect the Boxster’s looks to change too radically in the near future.

Inside, the new car gains a reach-and-rake-adjustable steering wheel as well as a simple and quite good-looking fascia with soft-touch materials to give a nice quality feel. The centre console, though, is a bit messy with button overload. A few knobs wouldn’t go amiss here. Also, a pair of tricksy pop-out cupholders hide behind a flimsy bit of plastic on the passenger side. And what are cupholders doing in a car like this, anyway? There is plenty of room in the cabin, even for the tall and wide. That reach-adjustable steering wheel makes it easier to find the right driving position, and even the most basic seats are marvellously supportive, especially under the thigh. That’s a boon to those long of leg.

The roof takes only 12 seconds to power away, and you can do it while travelling at up to 30mph. The new car has an extra layer of insulation in the roof. It works, too; at a 90mph autobahn cruise you don’t need to raise your voice to be heard.

Porsche is also claiming a big step forward dynamically. The new Boxster has a more rigid structure as well as a wider track, all of which should improve the way it goes down the road. The engines are more powerful, with the 2.7 litre unit increasing from 228 to 240bhp, while the 3.2 litre engine in the Boxster S goes from 260 to 280bhp.

Both engines also gain a significant improvement in torque and, more importantly, modifications that improve low-rev torque response. That means you’ve got performance on tap without having to downshift constantly. There’s a new six-speed gearbox on offer, and it’s a pleasure to use. Nice short throws and a meaty feel help get the most out of these terrific engines. It’s a different story with the Tiptronic S automatic, which can be sequentially shifted with buttons on the steering wheel. Give it a miss — it can be clumsy and doesn’t begin to do those engines justice.

The best combination we drove was the Boxster S with a manual six-speed gearbox. The performance is outstanding, with 0-62mph in just 5.5sec and a top speed of 166mph. It’s a visceral experience, too, as Porsche has tuned the exhaust to add an even deeper roar to that signature flat-six thrum.

And the handling? The chassis is so marvellously balanced that you never feel either end of the car is going to let go, and the level of grip in reserve is huge. The car’s agility and eagerness to change direction are just about as good as it gets, and steering feedback through the variable-assist rack and pinion set-up is first rate, too.

The new Boxster went on sale a fortnight ago at £32,320 for the basic 2.7 litre model and £38,720 for the Boxster S. Standard equipment now includes air-conditioning, a CD player and side-curtain airbags that emerge from the door tops, which is a world-first for a roadster.

So little fanfare, so much improvement. If you can stand the lack of attention, the Boxster S really does deliver.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Porsche Boxster S
Engine type Flat-six, 3179cc
Power/torque 280bhp @ 6200rpm / 236 lb ft @ 4700rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Fuel/CO2 25.7mpg (combined) / 234g/km
Performance 0-62mph: 5.5sec/Top speed: 166mph
Price £38,720
Verdict Sensationally good to drive, styling will still look fresh in 10 years
Rating 5/5

THE OPPOSITION

Model BMW Z4 3.0i SE, £31,650
For Great engine, fine handling and performance
Against Love-or-hate-them looks which may date fast

Model Mercedes-Benz SLK 350, £34,270
For Steel folding roof works brilliantly, looks like a mini-supercar
Against Has a bit of a boulevardier image compared with sportier rivals