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Boxster and Cayman now to be marketed as 718 model series
Stuttgart. The 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman – these will be the new names of the two-door mid-engine sports cars from Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG effective with the 2016 model changeover. The Stuttgart car manufacturer’s 718 designation is a reference to the ground-breaking sports car of this type of the year 1957, which enjoyed much success in renowned car races. The 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman are showing more similarities – both visual and technical. In the future, both will have equally powerful four-cylinder flat engines with turbocharging. The Roadster will be positioned at a higher price level than the Coupé – as is done for the 911 models. Porsche will introduce the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman over the course of 2016.
The 718 model series is a continuation of the proven four-cylinder concept and the history of distinguished Porsche sports cars. The latest example is the 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car, which also has a highly-efficient, turbocharged four-cylinder engine with just 2 litres of displacement. So, not only did Porsche finish first and second in the 24 hours of Le Mans, but most recently it also won the manufacturer’s and driver’s championship titles in the WEC World Endurance Championship. With these victories, the 919 Hybrid has opened up the prospects for the performance potential of future sports car engines from Porsche.
History of the 718: four-cylinder flat engine has many car racing victories
Four-cylinder flat engines have a long tradition at Porsche – and they have enjoyed incredible success. In the late 1950s, the 718 – a successor to the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder – represented the highest configuration level of the four-cylinder flat engine. Whether it was competing at the 12-hour race in Sebring in 1960 or at the European Hill Climb Championship that ran between 1958 and 1961, the Porsche 718 prevailed against numerous competitors with its powerful and efficient four-cylinder flat engine. The 718 took first place in 1959 and 1960 at the legendary Italian Targa Florio race in Sicily. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans race 1958, the 718 RSK with its 142-hp four-cylinder engine scored a class victory.
Porsche 919 Hybrid: technological front-runner for production cars
In 2014, Porsche returned to the top category of the famous endurance race in Le Mans and the WEC world endurance championship with the 919 Hybrid race car. The LMP1 vehicle, which was designed for extreme efficiency, is the most complex race car that Porsche has ever built. It serves as a platform for fundamental technology research for future production models – combining two different energy recovery systems with a two-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
So now with flat 4 turbo, it's 718, eh? Lipstick on a pig?? It's almost like the PR guys are trying to talk themselves into how wonderful the new 2.0L 4 cyl engine will be. I really hope it's a great car, but I think those of us who own a current Boxster or Cayman with a NA six, we're happy we have (or are getting) what we have, a 981.
Ok... So we know the Boxster will be positioned be positioned above the Cayman now... check, makes sense as it's the industry standard. My question is how will they price the 718 now that it's a 4 pot? Will it be the same, more or less than the current 6 pot???
Ok... So we know the Boxster will be positioned be positioned above the Cayman now... check, makes sense as it's the industry standard. My question is how will they price the 718 now that it's a 4 pot? Will it be the same, more or less than the current 6 pot???
My question is how will they price the 718 now that it's a 4 pot? Will it be the same, more or less than the current 6 pot???
I'm guessing the pricing strategy for the 718 will mirror that of the new 911. If a 2017 911 Carrera will start around $90,395, about $5,100 more than a 2016 Carrera, and a $4,500 increase applies to the 2017 Carrera S, then I'm betting the 718 will be priced higher than the 981. Yes, going from a flat 6 to a turbo 6 in a 911 is different from going from a NA 6 to a turbo 4 in a 981, but I just can't see Porsche pricing the new 718 lower than the outgoing 981 - - although I think they should!
Do any other instances comes to mind where a new model was priced lower than an outgoing model? Maybe there is a precedent, but I can't think of it.
Well it's finally official.
I like going to a number but agree it's all marketing spin to cover up the 4cyl.
Also agree this will not be cheaper. It will be a miracle if prices even remain unchanged.
Makes me very very happy that I got in on a Spyder.
I think Porsche has an opportunity here to change the car in ways that appeal more to true sports car enthusiasts such as lighter weight, less complexity, fewer electronic features, etc.
As an example, take a look at what Mazda just did with their MX-5 (Miata). Their new car is lighter, more agile, better in so many ways, and no more expensive than before.
I know that many people who drop $70K+ on a new sports car want the newest technology, all the bells and whistles so to speak. However judging from the apparent demand for the GT4 and new Spyder, there is also a demand for performance with some creature comforts removed.
So maybe the answer is to offer more levels of equipment in the new 718 line. I would love to see a very base, simple, lightweight model offered alongside higher end models.
Porsche is no stranger to multiple iterations of the same car. For example there is something like 20 different submodels of 991 when you count cabs, S, non-S, Turbo, Targa, AWD, etc.
12-09-2015, 08:03 PM
718 Boxster and 718 Cayman!!!
