C.J. Wilson & Dario Franchitti Feel the Need for Speed in Italy

MLB pitcher-turned-Porsche racer and famed Indy driver turn back the clock with a pair of 718 GTS models. 

For Porsche, the 718 nameplate has more than a little bit of motorsports history behind it. That simple three digit number evokes memories of lightweight, mid-engine, four-cylinder excellence.

So, it’s really no surprise that when the automaker decided to stick turbo fours in the Cayman and Boxster, it would bring back that historic nameplate. And now, they’re rolling out the hottest variants to date: the 718 GTS.

Both the Cayman and Boxster 718 GTS turn things up a notch with a new intake plenum and revised turbochargers. The result? An impressive 365 hp, 35 more than the last-gen GTS and 15 above the current S. Torque is impressive too, coming in at 317 lb-ft when equipped with the PDK and 309 for the 6-speed manual. Automatic cars can do 0-60 in only 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph.

It’s been nearly sixty years since Porsche made history with the original 718 at the historic Targa Florio circuit in Sicily, scoring back-to-back top two finishes in 1958 and 1959. So what better place to show off the latest and greatest 718 than that very spot? And who better to rag them out among some of the world’s most beautiful scenery than four-time IndyCar champ and Porsche collector Dario Franchitti and former MLB pitcher, current Porsche GT3 Cup racer, and avid Rennlister C.J. Wilson?

In this recent video from Porsche, the two lucky enthusiasts get to do just that. After lauding the car’s appealing features and comparing hair styles, the duo take a spirited cruise along some of the world’s finest driving roads. Both come away impressed with the overall balance of both cars, as well as the prodigious amount of torque. And we get to hear plenty of that surprisingly appealing exhaust crackling. It’s a win/win, really.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.
He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.