The Porsche Boxster is mid-engine two-seater sports
cars manufactured and marketed by German automobile manufacturer Porsche across
four generations as a 2 door, 2 seater roadster.
Introduced in 2016
for the 2017 model year, the Porsche Boxster and Cayman were renamed the Porsche 718 Boxster and Porsche 718 Cayman, reviving the
historic 718 moniker while switching engines from
naturally-aspirated flat sixes to small-displacement flat-four turbocharged units.
The new 718 Cayman was also re-positioned with an entry price lower than that of
the 718 Boxster, in keeping with Porsche's higher pricing for roadster models.
The base 2.0 liter
turbo with 300 horsepower provides quick acceleration and nimble reflexes while
the beefier and very track friendly S is equipped with a 2.5 liter turbo that
delivers 350 horsepower. The option is to use fuel sipping turbocharged four
cylinder engines versus the very standard six cylinder option increases power
output while reducing the pain at the pump.
While fuel efficiency
and launch times are always exciting improvements, the biggest change with the
new Boxster is the torque curves. The old 2.7 liter flat six demanded high revs
in order to make power while the 718 delivers 74 ibs-ft more torque and
delivers peak torque between 1950 and 4500 rpm. The S variant delivers peak
torque over the same range with the end result being 309 ibs-ft of torque. To keep this in perspective, that
is the exact same figure as the 3.8 liter flat six Boxster offers.
Equipped with a PDK
gearbox and the sport chrono package, the 718 will launch 0-60 mph in 4.5
seconds and the S will complete the task in 4 seconds flat. Porsche claims that
the top speed on the base 718 will be 170 mph while the S will top out at a
rather respectable 177 mph.
It is important to
keep in mind that the Porsche 718 Boxster is a revamping of an excisting model
verses a complete different car. The restyling does suit the Boxster nicely
especially around the newly designed head and taillights. The 3-D lettering at
the rear stands out and demands attention letting everyone know that this is
not the Boxster of old. The interior is relatively the same with some minor
changes taking place with most of the attention being paid to the infotainment
center.
