2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition: Don’t Judge a Car by Its Colour

Sports cars have lost traction in recent years, and luckily some of those that remain aren’t trying to appeal to SUV-obsessed customers by beefing up and adding some off-road chops. That’s a good thing for pure driving enthusiasts.

Porsche’s entry-level sports cars including the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman are living on borrowed time. Actually, their powertrain will soon make way for an electric drive system, marking a radical departure from the first four generations. The flat-four era is coming to an end, although Porsche aficionados can always turn to the 911, which retains a flat-six engine despite adding a hybrid option for 2025.

• Also: Porsche Adds Style Edition to 718 Models for 2023
• Also: Confirmed: Electric Porsche 718 Models to Launch by 2025

Let’s focus on the 718 Boxster and particularly the Style Edition pictured here in Ruby Star Neo. It offers extroverted customers a new way to show their colours and turn heads everywhere they go.

The eye-catching pink hue is inspired by the Ruby Star available with the Porsche 911 Carrera RS (964) from the 1990s. Completing the package are white stripes and 20-inch wheels. We must warn you that the car not only attracts plenty of attention but also a fair amount of brake dust, which is an unpleasant downside that you have to deal with on a regular basis.

This Style Edition is about looking different and brightening up the road, but can it also put a smile on the driver’s face? You’ll probably guess the answer, but read on for a more detailed account of our time with the fancy Porsche.

What Exactly is the Style Edition?

The latest 718 Boxster model can be specified in a different colour than Ruby Star Neo, of course. We’re talking about Porsche, after all, an automaker that specializes in customization with a flagrant disregard for price. The special edition boasts a number of unique touches, such as 20-inch Spyder wheels. Three other wheel designs and up to nine wheel colours are available, just so you know.

Another distinctive feature on this 718 Boxster Style Edition is the set of black exhaust tips and silver-finish Porsche lettering in the rear. The “Boxster” name appears on the soft top and remains visible even when the top is stowed away.

The Style Edition also adds a bunch of options like bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, front and rear parking assist, Apple CarPlay, cruise control, three auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, dual-zone climate control and more.

Furthermore, our particular subject was equipped with a black leather interior featuring chalk-coloured stitching ($2,310), wheel locks ($70), GT Sport steering wheel ($370), Bose sound system ($1,130), headlight washers ($270), Sport Plus seats ($510), Porsche Connect navigation ($2,640), Sport Chrono Package ($2,380), brushed aluminum shift knob ($350) and Premium Package ($2,470).

As a result, despite making use of a small 2.0-litre flat-four engine, the car we drove was worth an insane $101,650—not counting freight, PDI, other fees and tax. For the record, the Style Edition carries a base MSRP of $86,200, which is $8,000 more expensive than a standard 718 Boxster. That’s a heck of a lot of money.

So What?

Does the little German roadster have what it takes to please sporty driving enthusiasts? The short answer is yes, but it’s not that simple, really. You see, while the large wheels positively improve handling on the road and on the track, you have to pay attention on poorly maintained city streets where potholes could ruin the experience. Ride quality is still surprisingly good even with the low-profile tires. We very much appreciated the supportive buckets when driving on twisty roads.

The four-cylinder mill churns out 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed manual gearbox or, optionally, Porsche’s excellent seven-speed, dual-clutch PDK transmission. Admittedly, we were a tad disappointed with the level of precision from the shifter. Make no mistake, it’s far from unpleasant to play with. It’s just that we remember previous manual 718 Boxsters with sharper operation. One thing’s for sure, the stick’s placement is downright perfect, enabling effortless use.

Naturally, the base 718 Boxster is not as much fun as other models in the lineup. Purists will be way more satisfied with the hardcore albeit very expensive Spyder RS and its naturally aspirated flat-six. The mid-grade 718 Boxster S offers a nice middle ground despite also housing a turbocharged four-banger. Whichever model you select, mind you, the spirit of the Boxster is alive and well.

Steering is precise, although other Porsches are better in that department. From our experience, it’s best to turn on Sport+ mode, which enhances throttle response while firming up the suspension and steering. That’s why we kept the little dial on the steering wheel locked in on “S+” during the week. What’s more, the symphony from the flat-four is much more enjoyable when this mode is activated.

Our Verdict

What’s the main takeaway from this test drive? The Porsche 718 Boxster is a precision tool among today’s big-power sports cars, but we feel like the Style Edition should go back to the gym and earn an “S” badge until electrification comes into play.

In other words, the colour combination is nice, but the 718 Boxster Style Edition would be seriously cooler in S trim. And if you prefer a more conventional exterior, Porsche has you covered with several other hues for the 718 range.