The addition of the 718 badge to the Boxster name for the new-generation car is intended to evoke memories of the mid-engine sports cars that won races for the German manufacturer in the 1950s and 1960s and perhaps ease any angst over the move to a turbocharged flat-four engine.
The 1,988cc unit in the standard model develops 300ps at 6,500rpm and 380Nm from 1,950rpm to 4,500rpm, while the 718 Boxster S manages 350ps and 420Nm at the same speeds from its larger 2,497cc of displacement and VTG turbo.
Bore and stroke on the smaller engine is 91mm x 76mm, while on the larger engine it is 102mm x 76mm. Both engines have a compression ratio of 9.5:1.
Fitted with the optional PDK and Sport Chrono Package, the 718 Boxster sprints from 0-100 km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds (0.8 seconds faster than the old model) and the 718 Boxster S with the same equipment does it in 4.2 seconds (0.6 seconds faster). The top speed for each model is 275km/h (171mph) and 285km/h (177mph) respectively.
Porsche claims fuel economy improvements of up to 13% over the outgoing models. In the 718 Boxster, the four-cylinder flat engine with PDK has a NEDC fuel consumption figure of 6.9l/100km (34mpg), which is 1l/100km less than the old car (a 4.2mpg improvement).
In the 718 Boxster S, the 2.5-liter turbo flat engine with PDK consumes just 7.3l/100km (equating to 32.2mpg), which is 0.9l/100km less (a 3.5mpg improvement).
Further details of the new powertrains and pictures will be revealed at the Swiss show on March 3-13, 2016.
January 27, 2016