Porsche 718 – The Boxster and Cayman Update
Those pesky Porsche engineers aren’t ones to rest on their laurels. They are restless souls, and their vehicles must always be improved. With that in mind it was time for a mid-cycle update for the entry-level Boxster and Cayman.
Welcome the 718 Boxster and Cayman...!
As with the recently
updated 911, this refresh is comprehensive in nature. The main addition is by subtraction… two
cylinders, to be precise. Now running on
smaller 4-cylinder powerplants, the Boxster and soon to be revealed Cayman are
quite frankly… better. I’m talking
lighter, faster, more drivable with greater torque available lower in the rpm
range, and of course, more miserly with the petrol.
The motor-head geek details are as follows: the entry Boxster will have a 2.0-liter
4-cylinder with variable-vane turbocharging (high tech stuff) for an output of
300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
The Boxster S gets a 2.5-liter motor rated at 350 horsepower and 309
lb-ft. Advancements in tech in the name
of driving pleasure...! Nice…
All the other Porsche tech has been massaged as well, with
suspension tuning updates to improve handling and comfort, depending on your
mood. For transmissions, you can row
your own gears with a 6-speed manual or opt for the brilliant PKD.
Updates to the interior and exterior are more of the nip and
tuck variety. Improved electronics and
navigation are present and accounted for in the cabin. Externally Porsche claims every panel is new
except for the hood and decklid behind the driver. You will be able to spot the new Boxster by
the aero strip between the taillights on the rear, as well as the "718" badging.
So, you are probably wondering… “why 718...?” As Porsche is wont to do, this is a historical
reference. In the late 50s and early
60s, the Porsche 718
race car prowled tracks the world over.
This happened to be a 4-cylinder car, thus the reference.
There you have it, the latest beauty from Porsche. The Boxster will start at $57,050 and the
high-zoot S model rings the till at $69,450.
The hard-topped Cayman prices are not released yet, but in a change of
pricing structure, they are reported to be lower than the convertible
Boxster. Stay tuned…
Sure to be a hit, I like what I see. Well done…!