The new Porsche Boxster, which blends understated elegance and style, has just been launched here by Continental Cars.

Eight years after making its debut, Porsche's roadster, with its dynamic mid-engine concept, continues to impress all those who have had the chance to drive this outstanding car, not least those lucky enough to own one.

Speaking at the launch, Continental Cars' managing director Maurice Mizzi said the new models followed Porsche's process of steady and consistent evolution - almost 80 per cent of all parts and components are new.

Porsche's designers have further refined the already well-balanced and harmonious design, providing the new model with a novel headlights concept.

Its silhouette with its even more masculine contours, larger wheels and a striking rear, make the new Boxster look firmer and more functional than before.

The 2.7-litre, six-cylinder featured in the Boxster now develops a maximum output of 240 bhp, 12 bhp more than before.

Performance on the road has also improved, with the car now requiring a mere 6.2 second for the standard sprint from zero to 100 km/h and achieving a top speed of 256 km/h.

Mr Mizzi said that halfway through this month, the Audi and Porsche showroom would temporarily be at new premises at Mosta Road, Lija.

The old showrooms are being demolished to make way for the second phase of the Continental Cars project, which consists of state-of-the-art showrooms for both Audi and Porsche, with workshops to assist the company in delivering the service their clients have come to expect.