The probable reason for the consistency in the average mpg ratings of the Porsche Boxster is the excellent horsepower to weight ratio. The new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 11.9 pounds/bhp, which runs it really close to the average 11.5 pounds/bhp for most standard Porsche Boxsters.

So, with a low ratio for power-to-weight, how can you boost the Porsche Boxster mpg? Well, there is not a whole lot of weight that can be reduced from the car, since it is pretty light already. And we probably can’t increase the horsepower of the Porsche Boxster since it is already getting about as much as can be had from a flat-6 engine with an exception of a turbo boost, but then you loose the fuel economy. Besides, there is just not a lot of room left to squeeze anything more into the engine compartment behind the seats. So the question remains, how does one go about improving fuel economy for the Porsche Boxster?

The answer for that is the same as for any vehicle in this case. Here are some general tips for improving Porsche Boxster mpg.
1.    Keep your car in good shape.

• Maintain your engine regularly – replace a faulty oxygen sensor, for instance, and you can boost mileage by a 4% average.
• Replace air filters – fuel improvement is a gain by 10%
• Keep the tires inflated to the manufacturer’s suggested pressure – boost mpg by 3%
• Don’t use the wrong grade motor oil – go with the manufacturer’s recommendation. They have spent a great deal of time, money, and testing to find just the right oil viscosity to use in your Porsche Boxster. Just this simple effort can increase your fuel economy by 1 to 2%

2.    Drive efficiently. That is really hard to do with a Porsche Boxster, but resist the temptation to hold the pedal to the floorboard if you really are interested in improving your Porsche Boxster mpg.

• Drive the speed limit. The faster you drive, the lower the numbers on your fuel economy.
• Limit your quick, jackrabbit starts and your stand on your head braking.
• Avoid idling any longer than 30 seconds. When you idle longer than that you will use more gas than if you turned off the engine and restarted it later.

We all know why any purchases a hot, little Porsche Boxster. It is to enjoy the wind in your hair and sun beaming in your face while you negotiate switchback turns on mountain roads at maximum allowable speeds. But if you really are watching the fuel budget, follow these tips and you will enjoy better Porsche Boxster mpg numbers.

The flat-6 midmounted water-cooled engine reminds you of a boxer as he faces his opponent at center ring right at the introduction by the referee. Both of the fighters punch their boxing gloves at each other striking the other’s extended wrapped fists as a salute. The engine’s pistons oppose one another in a similar movement back and forth thus giving the idea of a ‘boxer’ getting ready to box. The pistons are mounted in the engine block in two banks of three cylinders on either side of a centrally located crankshaft.

The Porsche Boxster engine is designed with a low center of gravity and brevity of overall length. This construction provides for more efficient air-cooling especially since it is located behind the seats. The length may be short, but the width of the engine makes it too big for the engine compartments of most compact cars.

In 1997, the Boxster debuted with the 2.5-liter dual-overhead-cam, 201 horsepower engine. The entry-level engine produced 180 foot-pounds of torque.

The next two years found very little changes to the engines, but in the year 2000 the company produced two new dual-overhead-cam engines. One was a 2.7-liter flat-6, which powered the base model Boxster. The other was a 3.2-liter six that pushed the new ‘S’ model through a 6-speed manual transmission.

Year 2003 found the development of increased horsepower in both engines with the base model adding 11 more ponies to make 228 HP, and the ‘S’ engine only gaining 8 horsepower over its predecessor to expand to 258 HP.

Surprisingly, the difference in size and horsepower did not impact fuel economy all that much, for the marque was able to maintain its city and highway mpg ratings with very little change. However speed did change over the years. In 1997 the 2.5-liter DOHC, 201 HP engine produced zero to sixty times in 6.0 seconds. In 2009, the Boxster base model flat-6 grew to a hefty 2.9-liter and 255 HP and delivered the car from the starting line to sixty mph a whole second faster at 5.0 seconds.

Over the years, the Porsche Boxster engine made a gradual change from its start in 1997 to take on more of the architecture and performance of its big brother 911 engines. Porsche is the master at the flat-6 and they have made a really winning car to fit around it.