Porsche Releases 718 Boxster Pricing and Specifications

Porsche today has released Canadian pricing and details on the new 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S models. The new 718 Boxster will come with a 2.0L flat four making 300 hp and 280 lb-ft, at starting at $63,900.  The 718 Boxster S will add half a litre of displacement (to 2.5L) and a variable turbine geometry turbocharger to make 350 hp and 309 lb-ft. The S will start at $78,000. These are both significant horsepower increases (35 hp extra for both models), and Porsche also claims up to 13 percent greater fuel economy versus the outgoing models. Porsche reminds you that these are not the first flat fours they’ve used (the 356, 912 and 914 all had them), and I don’t think these will be the last.

The 718 is replacing the old Boxster, and in addition to the new engines it has been restyled front and rear with new fascias with larger air intakes, new lights, and has had the door handles shaved.  LED headlights are now an option, as is Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM) with your choice of 10-mm or 20-mm lowering. The Boxster has also received a new interior with navigation and mobile phone integration and online services available. The S will come with 19-inch wheels and have 20-inch units available.

The quickest base Boxster is one with PDK dual-clutch automatic and the Sport Chrono package. It will do 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and a similarly equipped Boxster S will do the same in 4.2.

Expect it in showrooms in the third quarter of this year.

Interior

Exterior

Press Release

January 27, 2016

Porsche Cars Canada Ltd.

The new mid-engine roadster with four-cylinder engines: Porsche 718 Boxster Mississauga. 20 years after the first Boxster made its debut, Porsche is restructuring its mid-engine roadsters. The designation for the new generation of models is 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S. The two-seat convertibles are now more powerful yet more fuel efficient. With them, Porsche continues the tradition of the four-cylinder flat engines that were used in the Porsche 718 mid-engine sports cars that won numerous races back in the 1950s and 1960s, such as Targa Florio and Le Mans.

The centrepiece of the new model series is the newly developed four-cylinder flat engine with turbocharging. The 718 Boxster develops 300 hp of power from two litres of engine displacement, while the 718 Boxster S attains 350 hp from 2.5 litres of displacement. In the S-model, Porsche also uses a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. In fact Porsche is now the only manufacturer to offer VTG technology in production cars with petrol-driven engines, both in the 911 Turbo and in the 718 Boxster S. Impressive here are the considerable power gain of 35 hp compared to the previous Boxster models and the efficiency of the new turbo engines. The new 718 Boxster models have fuel economy improvements of up to 13 per cent.

Efficient turbo power from four cylinders

The new 718 Boxster generation marks the first time that Porsche is implementing sports cars with four-cylinder flat engines again since the late ‘60s. Turbocharging significantly boosts torque. The two-litre engine of the 718 Boxster maximum torque of 280 lb-ft (+ 74 lb-ft), is available from 1,950 rpm to 4,500 rpm. The 2.5-litre unit of the 718 Boxster S attains 309 lb-ft (+ 43 lb-ft) from 1,900 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Thus, the new 718 Boxster models sprint even faster. The 718 Boxster – with PDK and the Sport Chrono Package – sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds (0.8 seconds faster). The 718 Boxster S with the same equipment completes this discipline in 4.2 seconds (0.6 seconds faster). The top speed of the 718 Boxster is 275 km/h, and the 718 Boxster S has a top speed of 285 km/h. The Porsche turbo concept is boosting driving performance while improving fuel economy. In the 718 Boxster, the four-cylinder flat engine with PDK has a NEDC fuel consumption figure of 6.9 l/100 km (1.0 l/100 km less). In the 718 Boxster S, the 2.5- litre turbo flat engine with PDK consumes just 7.3 l/100 km (0.9 l/100 km less). The 718 models come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The Porsche PDK gearbox, which now features fuel-saving virtual gears, is optional.

New design emphasizes sharpened profile

The vehicle’s design was completely revised except for the luggage compartment lids, the windscreen and the convertible top. The front of the 718 model line has a wider and more masculine appearance with much larger air intakes. It is rounded out by the new design of the bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are a new option. From a side view, features of the new model line include new, independently styled wings and side sills. Larger air inlet panels with two fins emphasize the car’s dynamic look. The doors are now designed without door handle recess covers. New 19-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Boxster S. 20-inch diameter wheels are optional. The redesigned rear body of the 718 Boxster has an accent strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The entirely redeveloped tail lights are distinguished by their three-dimensional LED technology and four-point brake lights.

Sportier tuning of chassis for greater agility

The car’s completely retuned chassis enhances cornering performance. The electromechanical steering system is configured to be 10 per cent more direct. This makes the 718 Boxster even more agile and easier to steer. Available at extra charge is the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with a 10 mm lower ride height. For the first time, the PASM sport chassis with a 20 mm lower ride height is available as an option for the 718 Boxster S. The active chassis, which has also been retuned, offers an even broader spread between longdistance touring comfort and dynamic sporty stiffness.

Extensive Sport Chrono Package for dynamic driving experience

As in the 911, the optional Sport Chrono Package now comprises the Individual program in addition to the three settings Normal, Sport and Sport Plus. In sports cars with PDK, the Sport Response Button has been added, which is located at the middle of the driving program switch. Inspired by car racing, it enables the driver to configure the responsiveness of the engine and the PDK to be very direct.

Interior has new Porsche Communication Management as standard

Awaiting the driver in the cockpit of the 718 Boxster is an upgraded interior with new elements such as the instrument panel. Another central element of the new interior layout is the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) unit with mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the Sound Package Plus with 110 watts of audio power. The PCM offers optional modules to adapt it to personal requirements. For instance, the navigation module with voice control is available, which makes it easy to input driving destinations. In addition, the Connect Plus module is available as an extension of the navigation module; it provides extended online services.

The 2017 718 Boxster models will launch in Canada in the third quarter of 2016 with pricing starting at $63,900 for the 718 Boxster and $78,000 for the 718 Boxster S.