2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder Enjoying The Snow As Debut Looms
Porsche is taking its time bringing the 718 Boxster Spyder to the market, but probably no one will mind the delay if the mid-engine roadster gets the much-anticipated flat-six power plant. With the reveal of the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport at Daytona last week, enthusiasts鈥?hopes of Porsche launching a road-going 718 model powered by a naturally-aspirated flat-six engine received a welcome boost. That鈥檚 because the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport racer features a 3.8-liter flat-six producing 419 hp (425 PS) and 313 lb-ft (425 Nm) of torque. However, the road-going 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Boxster Spyder are not likely to feature the same engine, as most reports hint that they will get a detuned version of the 4.0-liter flat-six that powers the 911 GT3. The six-cylinder engine is rumored to deliver around 425 hp 鈥?still a great amount of power for a Porsche 718, and an increase of 50 hp compared to the previous Boxster Spyder. Purists will be glad to know that the prototypes we鈥檝e seen so far featured a manual transmission, though a PDK option is very likely to be available as an option.
Let鈥檚 not beat around the bush: the Porsche 718 Cayman is not going to be a cheap car to run. But for a car of this type and pedigree, it needn鈥檛 break the bank, either. 鈥檛 baulk at the cost of running this two-seater. Balance tax costs with the fact that all Porsches require servicing only every two years or 20,000 miles, bringing welcome relief from big bills on a regular basis. However, Porsche dealerships aren鈥檛 renowned for being cheap to use - you can expect hefty charges for consumables such as tyres, brake pads and exhausts, so make sure you factor those into your budgeting. The latest 718 Cayman is the cleanest yet - on paper. Those shrunken four-cylinder engines reap dividends at the pumps, with all models now averaging at least 35mpg on the official government fuel economy tests. The smaller-engined entry model is capable of 38mpg according to official figures.
CO2 emissions fall correspondingly. In the real world, we found ourselves averaging closer to 30mpg, although you鈥檒l see high 30s if you pootle. Enjoy a fast blast and fuel economy will quickly sink to the 20s, if not lower. The Cayman has been around in one form or another since 2006 and has established a strong reputation for reliability with few known mechanical problems. Earlier issues, such as 鈥渢runk clunk鈥?- when the tailgate would rattle over bumps in the road - have largely been ironed out. First-generation Cayman models were at risk of bore scoring and failed IMS bearings, but an analysis among Porsche experts reveals the risk of a shattered six-cylinder engine was lower than the paranoid fear factor you may detect in internet chatrooms. However, it is true to say that the new four-cylinder engines are too new to assess for mechanical integrity at this point. Parkers will update this section as we receive more intelligence from owners and the trade. Don鈥檛 forget to check out our Cayman owners鈥?reviews here.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is all about looks and sound. It makes an incredible noise, whether in early 4.3-litre V8 form or the later and more powerful 4.7-litre V8. I'd argue it's a modern, more upmarket interpretation of the classic TVR. It is often bought by former owners of TVR s, who have since made their money and been able to trade up. These would have been buyers also looking at a Porsche 911 or a Mercedes SL 55 AMG. By prioritizing low running costs and high ease of use, Aston Martin was able to draw them in with the V8 Vantage. However, it is worth noting that a good proportion has since traded back to the German alternatives. The beauty and sound of the Aston Martin was not enough to keep them in the brand. I prefer the later 420bhp 4.7-litre models. The gearing on 4.3-litre models is rather compromised, and the frequent need to stir the level is not in keeping with the muscular nature of an Aston. It's also worth noting that the Sport shift semi-auto software was updated for 4.7-litre cars.