Your reward for enduring winter weather - New Porsche Boxster Spyder

Now that spring is arriving, with it comes the promise of warmer weather and the chance to shed layers and drink in the UV rays that scientists, dermatologists, and your mother keep reminding you will kill us. Well, if you are going to die from exposure to the sun, at least you’ll have a good tan.

Of course you could avoid all of this by applying a healthy SPF 50 sunblock. And if I were you, I would. After all, you’re going to need it; there’s a new Porsche model and it not only helps your tan, it enhances your emotional wellbeing as well.

This bit of four-wheeled therapy is the Boxster Spyder, a new top-of-the-line model that dials up the Boxster’s performance and style to eleven.

Having debuted at the 2015 New York International Auto Show a couple weeks back, the Spyder is a modern iteration of classic Porsche roadsters. Just check out the two distinctive streamliners that sweep back towards the rear of the car. It’s not unlike the 718 Spyder of the 1960s. Elsewhere, the Spyder wears exclusive front and rear fascias, and an air outlet near the front cargo hold. The look is at once athletic, modern and classic, not to mention very special.

The interior receives attention as well, with standard sports seats and a slightly smaller steering wheel to ensure driving precision when piloting this Boxster with gusto. Of course, being a Spyder, neither a radio nor air conditioner is standard equipment; that helps reduce weight. But if you need them, both can be ordered as options, along with the Porsche Communication Management system with navigation.

Perhaps most importantly, the Spyder employs a firm sport suspension with a 20-mm lower ride height. Brakes come straight from the 911 Carrera S, and engineers have made the steering more direct. All of this is needed to extract every delicious drop of power from the Spyder’s 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. Rated at 375 horsepower, the engine propels the Spyder from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Top speed is 180 mph. Best of all, this not only the lightest model in the Boxster line, it’s also the most powerful Boxster ever built.

Sound enticing? Of course it does. So here’s what you need to know.

The new Boxster Spyder can be ordered right now, right here at Porsche of Monterey. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $82,100.

Now you know what to do, just don’t forget to bring along the sunblock.