2017 Porsche 718 Boxster more powerful than predecessor
The evolution of the Porsche Boxster continues, with the German automaker announcing that the base roadster's turbocharged flat four-cylinder will make 300 horsepower—35 more than the outgoing six-cylinder model.
Porsche, which announced in December that it was re-branding both the Boxster and Cayman models as the 718 Series, said fuel economy in the newly-minted 718 Boxster will spike 13 per cent thanks to the reduction in the number of cylinders.
The 718 Boxster makes 300 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder, while the 718 Boxster S puts out 350 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to its larger 2.5-litre engine.
Both engines pump out maximum torque starting at 1,950 rpm and 1,900 rpm, respectively, and continue to do so through 4,500 rpm.
The turbocharged bolted to the Boxster S, like the 2017 911 Turbo, uses variable turbine geometry, making Porsche the only automaker to offer the technology in gas-powered production cars.
Not only is the 718 Boxster more powerful, but Porsche said it's also faster than its predecessor in the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h.
According to Porsche, the base model, when equipped with the PDK transmission and Sport Chrono package, does the run in 4.7 seconds, which is 0.8 seconds faster, while the 718 Boxster S with the same equipment completes the run 0.6 seconds faster at 4.2 seconds.
And speaking of Sport Chrono, the automaker said the optional package now includes the Individual mode, like in the 718's big brother, the 911.
Individual joins Normal, Sport and Sport Plus settings, while cars equipped with the PDK gets a race-inspired Sport Response Button that allows the driver to configure the responsiveness of the engine and transmission.
The Porsche Active Suspension Management system is also available, with a 10-millimetre reduction in ride height, while the 718 Boxster S can be equipped to be 20 millimetres lower.
The 718 Boxster starts at $63,900 in Canada, while the Boxster S starts at $78,000.