The new generation Porsche Boxster has a different name, revised styling and an all-new generation of flat-four engines that produce more power and torque, yet use less fuel than the outgoing flat-six units.
The mid-engine Porsche roadsters are now called 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S, being named in recognition of the Porsche 718 sportscars that won numerous races during the 1950s and ‘60s, among them the legendary Targa Florio and Le Mans 24-hour. The number 718 also ties in with the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid supercar.
All the major German marques are moving to turbocharged, smaller capacity, four-cylinder engines in the interests of efficiency. The 718 Boxster has a 2-0-litre four that develops 220 kW (300 horsepower); the 718 Boxster S takes its capacity to 2.5 litres and produces 257 kW (350 hp).
The 2.5-litre unit has a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG), similar to the engine we have admired in the Porsche 911 Turbo.
Porsche’s 2.0-litre engine has maximum torque of 380 Nm (100 Nm over the outgoing naturally aspirated flat-six). Peak torque from the new engine is there all the way from 1950 to 4500 rpm. The 2.5-litre powerplant of the 718 Boxster S has 420 Nm (up 60 Nm) over a similar speed range – 1900 to 4500 revs.
Both Porsche 718 models come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) is available as an option.
Acceleration of the 718 Boxster models is even better than that of the outgoing sixes, not that they were exactly slow. The 718 Boxster with PDK transmission and, optional, Sport Chrono Package gets from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 secs (0.8 secs faster).
The 718 Boxster S in the same configuration takes only 4.2 seconds (0.6 secs faster) to get to 100.
Should you have time for a quick trip to the Northern Territory you may be able to reach 275 km/h in the 718 Boxster, the 718 Boxster S adds another 10 km/h.
Porsche assures us the shape of the new model has been ’completely revised’, but unless you see the two side by side (which we are yet to do) it looks very similar to the outgoing model. The only parts shared by this new generation with the superseded one are the luggage compartment lids (keep in mind that means the bonnet and bootlid), the windscreen and the convertible roof.
Porsche has been in big strife with purists in the past by making what are considered radical changes to the styling, so this conservative approach makes a lot of sense.
The front end of the 718 Boxster has bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. They use Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), which is standard on all Australian models. LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are an option.
Porsche stylists have retained the now traditional air inlets in the rearmost area. These are larger than before and the door panels have two fins to give a dynamic side profile.
New design 19-inch alloys are standard on the 718 Boxster S while 20-inch diameter wheels are available as an option.
Inside, a newly designed dash that houses the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a state-of-the-art touchscreen, satellite navigation is standard in both models. PCM includes mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces, navigation and voice control as standard, together with Sound Package Plus with 110 watts of audio power.
The PCM can be extended with optional modules to let you adapt it to your specific requirements. For instance, the Connect Plus module is available as an extension of the navigation module and allows various iPhone functions and apps to be used in the PCM via the Apple Car Play.
Porsche engineers have given Boxster 718 a completely retuned chassis and the electro-mechanical steering system is 10 per cent more direct. Porsche tells us this makes the 718 Boxster, “even more agile and easier to steer, both on race tracks and in everyday traffic”. We can’t wait to get ourselves into the driving seats when it reaches us downunder midway through this year.
The optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) has a 10 mm lower ride height and, for the first time, PASM with a 20 mm lower ride height is available as an option for the 718 Boxster S.
The optional Sport Chrono Package now comprises the Individual programme in addition to the three settings Normal, Sport and Sport Plus. In 7i8s with the PDK transmission, a Sport Response Button has been added, this lets the driver configure the responsiveness of the engine and the PDK to be very direct.
Porsche 718 Boxsters go on sale in Australia midway through 2016. Dealers are now taking orders now and Porsche Cars Australia says, “deliveries to commence in mid 2016”. The new generation models continue to be bargains for their class, being priced from $113,100 and $143,400 respectively.