What’s to like about Porsche’s new 4-Cylinder Boxster/Cayman?

Message to Porsche purists bemoaning the loss of the flat-six: “Get over it!”

Richard Russell
Published: September 23, 2016, 1:05 PM
Updated: September 29, 2016, 5:30 AM

Four cylinders are enough

Message to Porsche purists bemoaning the loss of the flat-six: “Get over it!” ▲

What’s the problem?

Purists have bemoaned the fact Porsche has swapped out the flat-six engine in the Boxster and Cayman for a four. But the new 718 Boxster and Cayman are more powerful, faster and handle even better, while using less fuel. So what’s the problem? There is a lot to love about these two, including the new engine. ▲

Hot and hotter

The new horizontally-opposed engine has four valves per cylinder, variable valve-timing, an integrated dry-sump oil system, intercooler and direct injection. The water-cooled unit comes in two packages – for now. Both the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions are turbocharged, the latter utilizing a variable vane unit. The 2.0 found in the new 718 Boxster and Cayman produces 300 horsepower (35 more than the six-cylinder unit it replaces) and 280 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5-litre version for the new Boxster S and Cayman S puts out 350-horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. All of these numbers are greater than those for the six-cylinder units they replace and the outputs for coupe and Boxster are the same, for the first time. ▲

New 718 designation

Both the 2017 Boxster and Cayman wear the 718 designation. The nomenclature comes from the Porsche race cars of the ‘50s and ‘60s that dominated long distance racing. ▲

Completely redesigned

Both two-seat sports cars have been completely redesigned other than the luggage lids at both ends, the windshield and convertible roof. The fronts have a more aggressive look, lower and wider with larger air intakes. Bi-xenon headlights are standard and LEDs available. Nineteen-inch wheels are now standard with 20s available. ▲

Slurp!

The side intakes that feed air to the intercooled engine are also larger – and you can hear the sound of air being pulled into the one on the driver’s side if you have the window or top down and are enjoying the bountifiul supply of torque from low speeds. ▲

918 Spyder influence

The interior of the 718 Boxster and Cayman is upgraded from the models they replace. Cloth seats are available for the first time and were much appreciated in the 35-degree Texas heat encountered during my test drive. Material quality is improved and the same horizontal theme as the new exterior is carried over here. A new steering wheel designed after that of the 918 Spyder sports car, is standard and a smaller version available. ▲

New instrument panel

The new instrument panel includes the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with a high-res seven-inch colour touchscreen for controlling infotainment and navigation features. ▲

Connectivity – with the road

The chassis of the 718 Boxster and Cayman has been completely retuned for even more remarkable handling. Driving either of these cars on a twisty piece of blacktop is a lesson in connectivity of the old-fashioned type – between your hands and the front tires. The electric steering sets a new benchmark for this type of unit with plenty of feedback and remarkable directness. ▲

Selectable driving modes

A button on the centre console allows the driver to configure driving modes from normal to sport or sport plus with a new “individual” setting available for the 718. The optional Porsche Active Suspension Management system (PASM) brings a 10-mm lower ride height and a new PASM Sport Suspension brings a 20—mm reduction. ▲

Six speeds or seven?

The shift lever controls either the six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK automatic transmissions. ▲

Sport Chrono package

The optional Sport Chrono package comes with a small rotary dial on the lower right spoke of the steering wheel. Within that dial is a “Sport Response” button – press it and both performance and smile factors get a 20-second boost as both engine and transmission responses are put on heightened alert. ▲

Able to show their tails

While there may be some complaints about the death of the six-cylinder Porsche Boxster or Cayman, the reality is the loss of two cylinders is more than offset by the added power. The new Boxster and Cayman easily show their tails to their predecessors. Both rocket from rest to 100 km/h in less than five seconds – 4.7 and 4.2 for the 718 and 718 S models respectively. ▲

What's not to like?

So what's not to like? Not much from my perspective. They're both fine exemplars of the Porsche tradition. ▲

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