Porsche is preparing a go-faster version of the new four-cylinder 718 Boxster and Boxster S – but it’s unlikely to be available in New Zealand until 2018.
It will be badged the Boxster GTS, a moniker that means more specialised engineering. The Porsche distributors here say the renamed and restyled Boxster and Boxster S will go on sale here around the middle of this year. Both will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March.
No word on NZ prices yet, although the Australians and Americans know what they will pay. The Boxster across the ditch will cost A$113,100 and the Boxster S A$143,400, including luxury tax. The respective prices in the US will be US$57,000 and US$69,450.
The GTS will be the more expensive premium model, capping Porsche’s move from naturally aspirated six-cylinder units in the Boxster and Cayman range to boosted four-cylinder power for improved economy, cleaner emissions and better mid-range flexibility.
It will be equipped with a more powerful version of the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-pot in the Boxster S. That’s the premium engine in the renamed Boxster range, sitting above the entry-level 2.0-litre.
The 2.0-litre unit delivers 220kW and 380Nm – 25kW and 100Nm more than the non-turbo 2.7-litre flat six it replaces in the current base model car. Peak torque is available on a band of revs between 1950 and 4500rpm, whereas the 2.7-litre delivers its 280Nm at 4500rpm.
The new 2.5-litre Boxster S engine turns the wick up to 257kW/420Nm, with torque available between 1900-4500 rpm. That’s a 25kW and 60Nm hike over the 3.4-litre flat six in the current Boxster S.
The GTS unit will be tuned to perhaps deliver around 270kW and a touch more torque. All 718 Boxster models will be available with either six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic gearboxes.
The 718 range has been restyled inside and out, particularly around the car’s rear. The mid-life exterior changes follow Porsche form and were largely brought about by the need to channel cooling air to the mid-mounted turbocharged engines. For example, there are larger air ducts up front and in front of the rear wheel arches.
Porsche says the engineering and styling changes boost performance but save fuel. The Boxster boasts a 0-100km/h time of 4.7 seconds, a top speed of 275km/h – a full one second and 13km/h quicker than the current car – and town-and-around fuel use of 6.9 litres/100km (41mpg).
The Boxster S gets to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds and on to 285km/h, beating the existing car by 0.8 seconds and 8km/h. Claimed fuel use is 7.3 litres/100km (39mpg). But both fuel numbers are based on the use of the PDK gearbox. Manual models return 7.4 and 8.1 litres respectively.
- The 718 designation honours the 718s of the 1950s and 1960s, the last race-winning Porsches to use flat-four engines. The 912 and 914 models of the 1960s and 1970s also used flat-fours. The last four-cylinder Porsche was the in-line 3.0-litre unit in the 968, which went out of production in 1995.