Milehigh981

Yeah, it looks like a design afterthought.
This, the vents and the rear Porsche badge give me mixed emotions. Im waiting to see the last one in person though for judgement.

sjfehr

On the bright side, it looks easier to retrofit for the purposes of SCCA rule amalgamation. Will open up the used market a whole lot wider 5 years from now if I know I can retrofit SC+ to any 718S for around $1000.

This car looks good, and by all appearances has a strong engine with good low-end torque as well as more high-end hp. And with the new pdk mid-gear mode giving even more optimal gear ratios, it should accelerate like a supercar. I daresay you'll be hard pressed to tell how many cylinders it has when you push the gas and it kicks you in the ***. Even so, I tell people you don't buy a Boxster S because it can do 0-60 in 4 seconds. You buy it because it'll do 0-60 in 4 seconds around a 90 degree corner. If the new car improves on handling the way the past updates have, it'll be just as fun and should be just as popular.

Phil G.

I think the vents may be worse than the rear badge. At least when you're driving, you aren't looking (constantly) at the badge. Not until you get out of the car. Sorry to be so negative people, but really - the 718 may be a great performer, but the styling changes IMO are no improvement at all.

sl951

A turbo-4 with good low-end torque ? - Ahaha

If the 4 cyl. isn't truly a factor in the 'emotional' buying response they should use it in the 911, it's the right business decision. What happened to the 912..?

Either way it's a win for us. These cars will have a big drop in value, thus become an economic platform for folks that love to tinker with things. Here's to a new wave of aftermarket shops a la 944 turbo era (Powerhaus, Huntley, Speedforce, Lindsey, Paragon, Automotion, Milledge, Blackforest, Kokeln, Vision)

sl951

Sounds terrible.

The SUV's have a better sound.

jwade

Hate to say it, but I'm not digging the 718 at all... That exhaust sounds very "farty" and the styling is a downgrade from the 981 IMHO.

When I finally do trade my unicorn 981s, I think I will go Carrera or may even go wild hair and buy a RUF 3800s... At least that company understands you have to have a flat six in the two seater chassis!

Wondering now if the 718 will make the 981's more valuable? The run on them was not too long...

sjfehr

It happens every time a new product generation of Porsche is introduced: People complain, loudly, about how Porsche ruined it. Then 5 years later, they're all talking about how that generation was the best that's ever been and the NEXT generation has been ruined.

The 718 is not a 981. It's not what you're used to seeing. But it looks good, damned good. And it sounds good. And by all accounts it's an awesome performing car, too. In 5 years when this thread is bumped, you will all laugh at it.

Know what else has a 2.0L 4-cylinder Turbo engine?


According to C&D, the 718 has more low-end torque than the 981. There have been a lot of recent advances in turbo technology that give great low-end torque and pretty much let manufacturers program in whatever torque curves they want to. I don't know about y'all, but I'm looking forward to driving one

1993GTS

Well said sjfehr. I'm an outsider on this model forum but a dose of objectivity was sorely needed. No car will check every box for a perfect driver's car. This new 718 is undeniably a different animal than the outgoing model, but not necessarily a step backwards.

I think the shared mid engine platform offers inherent advantages that shouldn't be overlooked. The 981 is an amazing drive, but the 718 may prove to be even more fun. Depending on your definition of fun.

Milehigh981

Oh please. The race car has a hybrid system in addition to a 4cyl turbo, hardly the same.

Underblu

i think the cars are actually quite similar. It really comes down to which engine you prefer: a new high torque turbo 4 that offers superior 0-60 acceleration or the the Flat 6 that embodies all those great attributes of the iconic Porsche engines of past.

I'm not opposed to a turbo 4 and if I didn't have a Spyder on order I would certainly consider the 718S but only with PDK. A sub 4 sec 0-60 Boxster S is very appealing. Finally the acceleration performance is matches the looks and handling of the car.

EMpunker

And the price tag...

sl951

I disagree.

In most cases, there's generally a median of likes or dislikes.

I would say this is a unique case, where it strikes a cord with users, primarily around 4 cylinders usage.

Other unique cases that come to mind are:

- Removing the manual for GT3 cars. They're now making a manual GT3R -hmm
-A strong favorable GT4 introduction and community excitement - Porsche didn't see that coming

A comparison to the WEC 919?! - well, hmm, I guess marketing is doing it's job.. lol

Please tell me more about this revolutionary turbo tech on the 718?
-It has a variable vane (they've used this since 997.2). Does it eliminate lag-no.
-Are they using electric assisted turbos (e.g. F1 or Audi). - No
-Are they using Hybrid electric motors as a 'torque' fill - No
-Are they using Anti-lag timing/fueling? - No

It's a 4-valve, direct injection, flat 4, single variable vane turbo - a modern but common setup - same as Audi or VW or..

Phil G.

It happens every time a new product generation of Porsche is introduced: People complain, loudly, about how Porsche ruined it. Then 5 years later, they're all talking about how that generation was the best that's ever been and the NEXT generation has been ruined.

Having had a 996, your statement simply isn't true. The 997 is still regarded as a prettier, better car all around. I know because when I sold my 996 4S with all of 3300 miles on the odo, I lost approximately 40% of my purchase price, and believe me, the car was essentially new. I sold the car after the 997 was introduced, and since then, the 996 has generally not been in favor since that and newer 911's were introduced.

Archimedes

While I personally like what they've done with the 718, people who think Porsche can't make a styling misstep must be too young to remember the 964. That was an ugly *** beast that really didn't deserve to be called a 911 in my opinion. Always was, always will be. It looks like what VW would build if they built a 911.

Phil G.

The 964 was not the worst looking 911 Porsche has ever made, but clearly not a standout. Only the headlights are prettier than the 996's!