Chris Harris' Take on the 718
06-21-2016, 11:31 AM
#1
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Chris Harris' Take on the 718
Via his Top Gear post.
(I challenge you to read this and not hear his voice-over the entire time...)
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-...he-718-boxster
(I challenge you to read this and not hear his voice-over the entire time...)
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-...he-718-boxster
06-21-2016, 12:56 PM
#2
Good to read some new Harris again.
Even if it's the same outcome as all the other 718 reviews.
Even if it's the same outcome as all the other 718 reviews.
06-21-2016, 11:36 PM
#4
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I can't believe a four cylinder turbo weighing that much more than a NA six.
Instead of developing the new range of engines I wish Porsche focused on putting the cars on a diet to increase their mpg.
Instead of developing the new range of engines I wish Porsche focused on putting the cars on a diet to increase their mpg.
06-22-2016, 01:42 AM
#5
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Afshin, You mean make more 987 style Spyders
I think the emission standards are just too stringent to meet through weight savings alone. Hang on to the great ones we already have guys!
Afshin, You mean make more 987 style Spyders
I think the emission standards are just too stringent to meet through weight savings alone. Hang on to the great ones we already have guys!
Last edited by christallon; 06-22-2016 at 01:28 PM.
06-22-2016, 10:53 AM
#6
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Another 'meh' review from a revered auto journalist. And it's lost 2 cylinders yet weighs more? I don't get it either. The laws of physics would dictate that weight loss would improve fuel efficiency.
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06-22-2016, 04:45 PM
#8
shewu speaks the truth. The 718 lost 2 pots and has a shorter crank, etc, but add a turbine, compressor, all that ducting, intercooler, heat shields plus probably another black box to handle the turbo and you get more weight. I wonder if the turbo on the 718 has a coolant bath and pump to cool down the turbo bearing like the 944 turbo?
I still wonder when the 981 was redone with a lengthened wheel base why it could not have been designed for a smaller 6 with a turbo. Still looks like a push to move current 981 people to the 911.
I still wonder when the 981 was redone with a lengthened wheel base why it could not have been designed for a smaller 6 with a turbo. Still looks like a push to move current 981 people to the 911.
06-22-2016, 06:26 PM
#9
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Kind of my view as well. When i ordered the GTS it was a no-brainer decision compared to the nearest equivalent 911 (an optioned non-S convertible). You got a better looking car, which handled better, probably sounds better and for £30k less. Or put another way, at £15k per rear seat they are mightily expensive!
Now with a four, I'm thinking the 911 is the way to go, because i want my Porsche to have a flat six!
Look at the desirability of 914 6 vs 4 cylinder models (ok a bit contrived as the 6s are also very rare)
Porsche wins.
Even though the 718 / 982 / 981.2 or whatever it is probably has an even sweeter chassis and is much quicker, none of that compensates for it not having a flat six. Hell, if the problem was one of cooling or packaging, then lose / shrink the rear trunk to allow the engine to show through a slatted glass panel above. No, wait, can't do that - everyone would want one....
Now with a four, I'm thinking the 911 is the way to go, because i want my Porsche to have a flat six!
Look at the desirability of 914 6 vs 4 cylinder models (ok a bit contrived as the 6s are also very rare)
Porsche wins.
Even though the 718 / 982 / 981.2 or whatever it is probably has an even sweeter chassis and is much quicker, none of that compensates for it not having a flat six. Hell, if the problem was one of cooling or packaging, then lose / shrink the rear trunk to allow the engine to show through a slatted glass panel above. No, wait, can't do that - everyone would want one....
06-22-2016, 11:50 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
06-23-2016, 12:44 AM
#11
Intermediate
After driving the 718 base and S on track back-to-back with the 981 GTS, the 718 S with perf. exhaust and PASM sport is sick!
Normally, the NA GTS would surely have the best on-throttle modulation, right? It's not that simple. In Sport+ on the 718S, the VTG keeps the waste-gate fully closed allowing for a sizable part-throttle torque boost on-demand. Think of it as a simplified anti-lag setup.
The chassis enhancements are intuitively noticeable. Inverted dampers similar to the setup on the GT4, the rear suspension, and the 10% quicker rack from the Turbo S with PASM Sport give it a place-ability superior to the GTS.
The sport exhaust on overrun and on-throttle is addicting, poppy and burbly, and NOT SUBARU
Lastly, it is only 2 seconds slower than the... wait for it... the GT4 on the 'ring.
Yes I drank the Kool-aid, but this car is Dope! By the end of the year, you will find a 718 Cayman S in my driveway.
Normally, the NA GTS would surely have the best on-throttle modulation, right? It's not that simple. In Sport+ on the 718S, the VTG keeps the waste-gate fully closed allowing for a sizable part-throttle torque boost on-demand. Think of it as a simplified anti-lag setup.
The chassis enhancements are intuitively noticeable. Inverted dampers similar to the setup on the GT4, the rear suspension, and the 10% quicker rack from the Turbo S with PASM Sport give it a place-ability superior to the GTS.
The sport exhaust on overrun and on-throttle is addicting, poppy and burbly, and NOT SUBARU
Lastly, it is only 2 seconds slower than the... wait for it... the GT4 on the 'ring.
Yes I drank the Kool-aid, but this car is Dope! By the end of the year, you will find a 718 Cayman S in my driveway.
06-23-2016, 10:56 AM
#13
Intermediate
That's how I would describe the place-ability difference between the 718S and 981GTS. More responsive to my inputs to place the car where I want it. Also, the chassis is more urgent and immediate in following my inputs.
Lastly, the shift paddles have a shorter travel than the 981 which feels racier.
Look, we can all agree the 981 flat 6's are magical engines. For the past few weeks I've been driving a 981 Cayman S w/sport suspension around town and it is amazing! However, do you really think Porsche would let us down with the next evolution? Both of the 718's have taken it up a notch. How many were saying, "water cooled, now they've gone and ruined the brand. I'll never buy another Porsche!" Or, "An SUV, really? Thanks Obama... er Porsche." ;-)
Progress calls and Porsche listens, we all know this and that's why we love the brand. Change is always difficult, especially for cult brands. But there really is something special here as there always is.
In full disclosure, I wasn't sold after watching the vids online. On the looks, sound, or the performance. After running them around a track against everything else in its segment including that 981GTS, I am a changed man. And once I got to really look at this car in person and appreciate the differences. It looks wider, meaner, more modern, and a perfect evolution of the 981's. Also, can be had with PTV which you know I'll spec for my car.
06-23-2016, 11:24 AM
#14
Originally Posted by Chris Harris
I’d prefer a nearly new six-cylinder car from last year, but here’s the bit that will really stick in the craw of the opposition: even though Porsche has made the new Boxster less desirable than the old Boxster, it is still by far the best car of its type.
I'm of the strange type that doesn't even like the sound of roadgoing Ferrari V8's. It just sounds like two Honda inline 4's to me. When the 458 challenge cars went by me in Montreal a few years ago I couldn't wait till the GT3's showed up to do their thing. So I'm never going to be enthralled with a four cylinder engine. That's the principal reason I got rid of my BRZ.
I didn't buy an F type because it wasn't as practical as the 981, so my next car will have to be some 911 variant.
06-23-2016, 11:39 AM
#15
Rennlist Member
After driving the 718 base and S on track back-to-back with the 981 GTS, the 718 S with perf. exhaust and PASM sport is sick!
Normally, the NA GTS would surely have the best on-throttle modulation, right? It's not that simple. In Sport+ on the 718S, the VTG keeps the waste-gate fully closed allowing for a sizable part-throttle torque boost on-demand. Think of it as a simplified anti-lag setup.
The chassis enhancements are intuitively noticeable. Inverted dampers similar to the setup on the GT4, the rear suspension, and the 10% quicker rack from the Turbo S with PASM Sport give it a place-ability superior to the GTS.
The sport exhaust on overrun and on-throttle is addicting, poppy and burbly, and NOT SUBARU
Lastly, it is only 2 seconds slower than the... wait for it... the GT4 on the 'ring.
Yes I drank the Kool-aid, but this car is Dope! By the end of the year, you will find a 718 Cayman S in my driveway.
Normally, the NA GTS would surely have the best on-throttle modulation, right? It's not that simple. In Sport+ on the 718S, the VTG keeps the waste-gate fully closed allowing for a sizable part-throttle torque boost on-demand. Think of it as a simplified anti-lag setup.
The chassis enhancements are intuitively noticeable. Inverted dampers similar to the setup on the GT4, the rear suspension, and the 10% quicker rack from the Turbo S with PASM Sport give it a place-ability superior to the GTS.
The sport exhaust on overrun and on-throttle is addicting, poppy and burbly, and NOT SUBARU
Lastly, it is only 2 seconds slower than the... wait for it... the GT4 on the 'ring.
Yes I drank the Kool-aid, but this car is Dope! By the end of the year, you will find a 718 Cayman S in my driveway.
For years, I've raced Ford's Fiesta ST on the track. That has one of the quickest racks I've driven in some time. Small adjustments make big changes mid-corner.
That's how I would describe the place-ability difference between the 718S and 981GTS. More responsive to my inputs to place the car where I want it. Also, the chassis is more urgent and immediate in following my inputs.
Lastly, the shift paddles have a shorter travel than the 981 which feels racier.
Look, we can all agree the 981 flat 6's are magical engines. For the past few weeks I've been driving a 981 Cayman S w/sport suspension around town and it is amazing! However, do you really think Porsche would let us down with the next evolution? Both of the 718's have taken it up a notch. How many were saying, "water cooled, now they've gone and ruined the brand. I'll never buy another Porsche!" Or, "An SUV, really? Thanks Obama... er Porsche." ;-)
Progress calls and Porsche listens, we all know this and that's why we love the brand. Change is always difficult, especially for cult brands. But there really is something special here as there always is.
In full disclosure, I wasn't sold after watching the vids online. On the looks, sound, or the performance. After running them around a track against everything else in its segment including that 981GTS, I am a changed man. And once I got to really look at this car in person and appreciate the differences. It looks wider, meaner, more modern, and a perfect evolution of the 981's. Also, can be had with PTV which you know I'll spec for my car.
That's how I would describe the place-ability difference between the 718S and 981GTS. More responsive to my inputs to place the car where I want it. Also, the chassis is more urgent and immediate in following my inputs.
Lastly, the shift paddles have a shorter travel than the 981 which feels racier.
Look, we can all agree the 981 flat 6's are magical engines. For the past few weeks I've been driving a 981 Cayman S w/sport suspension around town and it is amazing! However, do you really think Porsche would let us down with the next evolution? Both of the 718's have taken it up a notch. How many were saying, "water cooled, now they've gone and ruined the brand. I'll never buy another Porsche!" Or, "An SUV, really? Thanks Obama... er Porsche." ;-)
Progress calls and Porsche listens, we all know this and that's why we love the brand. Change is always difficult, especially for cult brands. But there really is something special here as there always is.
In full disclosure, I wasn't sold after watching the vids online. On the looks, sound, or the performance. After running them around a track against everything else in its segment including that 981GTS, I am a changed man. And once I got to really look at this car in person and appreciate the differences. It looks wider, meaner, more modern, and a perfect evolution of the 981's. Also, can be had with PTV which you know I'll spec for my car.