2019 Porsche 718 Boxster
This new Boxster may be an "entry-level" Porsche, but there's nothing entry-level about its performance. A base model with the 300-horsepower 2.0-liter engine and manual transmission will push the envelope farther than most drivers will even venture. As before, the Boxster employs a flat engine mounted in the middle of the car, giving this roadster excellent balance. The new turbocharged engine delivers power urgently and without lag. If you're an enthusiast, you need to at least try the 6-speed manual transmission. Opt for Porsche's 7-speed automatic PDK, and you'll get a transmission that's so smooth you may not perceive gear shifts. Boxster's personality, making it more aggressive and quicker off the line. The 2017 Boxster S, with a 2.5-liter turbo-4 packing 350 horsepower, has a fiercer attitude and boasts 0-60-mph blasts in four seconds flat. The Boxster is an excellent athlete, but it's also a gentleman. As with other modern Porsches, it is luxurious and offers a wealth of creature comforts. From the responsive 7-inch touch screen to the leather seats and available Burmester audiophile sound system, the new 718 Boxster knows how to pamper.
While the 2017 Boxster marks its 20th model year and fourth generation, its familial ties date far longer, and its new 718 designation honors that. This German roadster's lineage traces to the Porsche 718 of the late 1950s and 1960s, which spawned race cars that won major events. The Boxster remains a 2-passenger roadster, providing a leather-wrapped cocoon for the driver and one lucky passenger. The sport seats are supportive, split by a narrow armrest and jet-like transmission tunnel and, above that, 7-inch touch-screen audio and communication system. The new steering wheel is derived from the Porsche 918 supercar, and features an easy-to-flick switch that toggles between drive modes. Speaking of steering wheels, the GT version鈥檚 has a smaller diameter. Interior space is not abundant but there are small rear and front trunks, a perk of having the engine in the middle of the car. Just look at those deeply sculpted side sills, that raked windshield and elegant tail.
We see speed, beauty and heritage even at a standstill. As befitting a roadster, the 718 Boxster is at its best with the fabric roof down, but it鈥檚 by no means ungainly with it up, especially if you elect one of the optional colors. The more powerful Boxster S model stands out with 19-inch wheels in favor of the 18s on standard models, and a twin tailpipe that, like the base model, peeks out the center rear. Up front, exquisite bi-xenon headlights shine bright on both models. A 2017 Boxster can be highly personalized. From the color of the cabin鈥檚 leather to 14- or even 18-way-power seats, carbon-ceramic brakes or torque-vectoring technology, dozens of options are available both a la carte and as part of packages. The Sport Exhaust System provides an even more thrilling soundtrack, as do the Bose or Burmester audio systems. Navigation is available, as are climate-controlled seats and a heated steering wheel.
Two turbocharged 4-cylinder engines are available for the 718 Boxster. Standard models use a 2.0-liter that, while smaller than the outgoing 6-cylinder, makes more power. The 718 Boxster S has a 2.5-liter turbo-4 that generates 350 horsepower. Because the engine is mounted in the middle and is a flat, or "boxer" design, this Porsche has excellent balance. Boxsters are rear-wheel drive, and power transmission to the wheels is immediate and delightful. In an effort to save fuel, Boxsters use an engine start/stop system that cuts power at idle. If you find it too abrupt, as we did in city traffic, it is defeatable with the touch of a button. Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions. 69,000 for an S model. Of course, this is just the start. Add options, and you can easily lift these prices by thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars. At its starting price, the new Boxster is more expensive than the Mercedes-Benz SLC, BMW Z4 and Audi TT, and below a Jaguar F-Type and Chevrolet Corvette convertible. If history repeats, the Porsche Boxster's resale value will continue to be above average.
The standard package also includes a heated multifunction sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles and Alcantara trim and the Connect Plus module for a wide range of digital services. With the optional Interior GTS package, drivers can customise their vehicle with various design elements, such as a rev counter, designer seams, and GTS logos in the contrasting shades of Carmine Red or Crayon. The GTS models offer all the same innovations as the second-generation Panamera range. These include the digital Porsche Advanced Cockpit, assist systems such as Porsche InnoDrive including adaptive cruise control, and optional rear-axle steering. The GTS also features one highlight that is new to the entire Panamera range - the head-up display. The display can be configured by the driver and projects all relevant information directly into their direct line of sight in full colour. As is tradition at Porsche, GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport. Porsche's first road-approved sports car, the 904 Carrera GTS, was launched all the way back in 1963, bringing racing technology to the streets. This was followed by the 924 GTS and 928 GTS, which cultivated the concept throughout the 1980s and 90s. In 2007, the GTS celebrated its revival with the Carrera GTS. The first generation of the Panamera GTS followed in 2011, initially available as a sports saloon only. Now, the new Porsche Panamera GTS is also available as a Sports Turismo. 1 seating configuration, the new GTS variant based on the 2017 model meets the highest of standards for everyday driving, while also delivering outstanding performance. The new GTS models are available to order now.