Manama: Merging tradition and visionary technology, the new Porsche 718 Boxster has arrived in Bahrain, following a comprehensive redevelopment of the mid-engine roadster for more power, increased torque, a higher top speed and a stylish redesign. Twenty years after the first Boxster made its debut, Porsche is introducing a new model designation with the generation change. The models are now known as the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S.
A direct descendant of the victorious 718 which took numerous race wins in the 1950s and 1960s, the new two-seater convertibles continue the tradition of four-cylinder flat engines, featuring the latest technology evolved by Porsche’s engineers.
When compared to the previous generation, both models attest a gain of 35 hp and up to 13 per cent lower consumption. The 718 Boxster is driven by a newly developed, 2-litre, 300 hp engine with innovative turbocharging. The increase in torque is even more dramatic with a 35 per cent rise and results in a maximum of up to 380 Newton metres. Featuring a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG), the 718 Boxster S boasts 2.5 litres of engine displacement and 350 hp, with maximum torque at 420 Newton metres.
When equipped with Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package, the new 718 Boxster accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, whilst the S-version achieves the same in 4.2 seconds. The top speed for the base model is 275 km/h; its bigger sibling tops out at 285km/h.
The comprehensive rework of the new model has been well documented with just the boot lid, windscreen and soft top preserved from its predecessor. At a glance, the revised exterior is wider and more powerful, with larger cooling intakes and the inimitable Porsche bi-xenon headlights featuring integrated LED daytime running lights. From the side, independently styled wings and side sills deliver a sharp new look around large 18-inch wheels as standard on the 718 Boxster, and 19-inch wheels on the S model. The reshaped rear body has a stronger presence, especially due to the accent strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The completely redesigned lights stand out, thanks to their three-dimensional LED technology and four-point brake lights.
Inside the cockpit of the 718 Boxster, upgraded elements, such as high quality leather with uninterrupted stitching, create greater sophistication. Meanwhile, state-of-the-art technology compliments the driving experience, with a newly designed dash panel that includes the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) operated by touchscreen as standard.
“The 718 Boxster is the sportiest of all time, carrying forward the philosophy of the legendary 718 which delivered over 1,000 race victories. It is remarkable that Porsche’s engineers have managed to achieve such outstanding increases in power, acceleration and torque from the newly designed four-cylinder engine. Especially as these performance enhancements come with a lower weight and a substantial improvement in efficiency. Both on a technical and excitement level the new 718 Boxster is beyond comparison and the same goes for its styling which is simultaneously powerful and sophisticated. With such an impressive addition to our convertible range, we expect the 718 Boxster to continue its growth in Bahrain,” Colin Sattar, Brand Manager, said.
In action, the two-seat convertibles are built for passionate and sporty driving, facilitated by not only a newly tuned chassis and improved brakes but also through increased rigidity in the suspension and roll-bars. The roadster also boasts 10 per cent more direct steering which comes from the 911 Turbo, making the model even more agile and easier to handle. The optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), available for the Boxster S, now offers a 20 mm lower ride height, enabling it to tackle fast corners with ease.
In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package and derived from the 911, the new 718 Boxster now features a switch on the steering wheel for four driving modes as well as a Sport Response button for models equipped with PDK. Inspired by motorsport, pushing this button makes the response of the engine and PDK very direct for a period of 20 seconds.
Taken together, the synergy of the latest developments of the 718 Boxster deliver benchmark-setting results. It is expected that the new S-model will perform a lap of the North Loop of the Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 42 seconds, 16 seconds faster than its predecessor and very close to that of the race-track primed Cayman GT4.
