By LAWRENCE TAN

We brought you news of special limited editions of the Porsche Boxster and Cayman in August this year. The German automaker has also followed up its tradition of minor tweaks and tucks to the 2009 models of the Boxster and Cayman, now on display at the LA Auto Show.

This time, however, the changes go further than merely cosmetic, the highlight of which are the new engines that will power the new-look duo, and a host of new technology brought over from the 911 Carrera PDK. PDK of course, refers to Porsche’s new double-clutch gearbox, which goes by the tongue-twisting name "Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe".

Power is now up to 255bhp from a 2.9-liter plant in the Boxster, and 265bhp in the Cayman. S versions now house a 3.4-liter engine featuring direct fuel injection, boosting power to 310bhp in the Boxster S and 320bhp in the Cayman S.

Despite the increase in power and performance, Porsche claims the new Boxsters and Caymans have remarkably cut their diet, with fuel consumption down by 11 percent in the 2.9-liter models, and an even more impressive 16 percent in the 3.4-liter versions over their respective Tiptronic S predecessors. Needless to say, both engines will score well with the stringent EU emissions standards.

As for the facelifts we mentioned earlier, watch out for new front and rear panels, larger halogen headlights with integrated direction indicators, and new LED rear lights.

'Live' pictures at the LA Auto Show are taken from Autoblog

Porsche