Porsche Launches 718 Boxsters With New Names, New Power

By Tony Markovich - January 26, 2016

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New Porsches in 2016 mean more turbos, and the introduction of the renamed 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S is no exception. Continuing the planned forced-induction takeover, Porsche is using a turbocharged flat-four in theses cars, whose names are supposed to evoke memories of the four-cylinder engines used in the Porsche 718 from the ’50s and ’60s. Not that they’re really anything alike.

Ze Germans are quick to point out that the 2.0-liter powerplant for the base Box will produce 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.5-liter version used in the ‘S’ model will put out 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. With the upped power, the engines are also a reported 14-percent more fuel efficient.

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As far as transmissions go, the standard is a 6-speed manual with the option for the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe. The significant update on the PDK is that it now comes with Porsche’s crazy “virtual gear” tech, which can be boiled down to this bit from the press release: “This function is achieved by partially engaging two adjacent gears simultaneously while slipping both clutches slightly to achieve an effective gear ratio in-between them.” Our insides hurt just thinking about it, but hey, gas mileage!

Both the front and rear of the exterior have been altered for a wider appeal, including that space bar you see on the butt. Though Porsche has already tightened the suspension on the new models, you can also take it a step further with the Porsche Active Suspension Management or Sport Chrono Package options. Those offer lowered ride heights and available ride settings — Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus.

If you’re hungry for some extra specs, the base with the Sport Chrono package and PDK will go from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, 0.7 seconds faster than the previous model, and top out at 170 mph. The S with the same trimmings will hit 60 in 4.0 seconds and go 177 mph.