On the outside, the Boxster T is essentially a standard Boxster with a few unique features. A nod to high-performance 911s from the past, like the Carrera RS, it signals that this Boxster is far from regular. The roadster also rides on special 20-inch alloy wheels finished in high-gloss Titanium Grey and sits almost an inch closer to the ground thanks to the standard PASM sport chassis. Other features that set it apart include Agate Grey mirror caps and black exhaust pipes. You can order the Boxster T in various colors, including black, Indian Red, Racing Yellow, Carrara White, Deep Black, and GT Silver. The cabin is also heavily based on the latest Boxster, but there are a few features that set it apart. The first one is visible as soon as you open the door, in the form of "Boxster T" logos on door sills. The T also comes with sports seats with only a two-way adjustment system, also for weight-saving purposes.
The seats have black Sport-Tex center sections and the "718" logo embroidered on the headrests. There鈥檚 also a GT sports steering wheel wrapped in leather, just like in the Boxster GTS. The standard Sport Chrono package is yet another feature taken from the GTS, so you鈥檒l find the iconic gauge atop the center stack. The infotainment was mostly removed to balance out the additional weight created by the installation of a particulate filter. However, Porsche will be happy to put one in your car as a no-cost option, so you don鈥檛 have to worry about missing on all the modern apps. Motivation comes from the same drivetrain as the standard 718 Boxster. Back in 2016, Porsche phased out six-cylinder engines for the Boxster, replacing the base unit with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter flat-four. Transmission options are also identical, so you can either go with the standard six-speed manual or the optional PDK automatic. Performance specs remain the same. The manual model hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the PDK-equipped version reaches the benchmark in 4.7 seconds.
Top speed remains locked at the standard 170 mph, but that鈥檚 nothing to sneeze at. The Boxster T also features a Porsche Active Suspension Management system, active drivetrain mounts, and a dynamic gearbox mount that minimizes vibrations in the engine and transmission, while also reducing movements that could affect that car鈥檚 dynamics. Porsche has yet to release pricing for the Boxster T, but did say that buyers will enjoy "a price advantage of 5 - 10% compared to a similarly equipped basic model." Based on this, we can guess an approximate sticker. 65,870, including delivery and handling. 3,300 compared to the regular 718 Boxster. Alfa Romeo鈥檚 hot two-door comes in a targa-style variant too, and more importantly, it has a mid-engined layout as well. It鈥檚 also powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but the 1.7-liter unit isn鈥檛 as powerful as the Boxster T鈥檚. The four-pot cranks out 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, falling behind the Porsche by a notable 60 horses and 22 pound-feet.
But despite not being as powerful, it鈥檚 quick from a standing start, needing 4.7 seconds to hit 60 mph. This figure puts in on par with the PDK-equipped Boxster T (not including the Sport Plus mode), as the 4C is only available with a dual-clutch transmission. The Audi TT is a bit of a different machine due to its front-engined layout, but it鈥檚 almost as capable. Although not overly aggressive design-wise, it鈥檚 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers a solid 310 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, more than both the Boxster T and the 4C Spider. Charging to 60 mph takes 4.9 seconds, a bit slower than the Porsche, but it鈥檚 not a deal breaker. The bad news is that the TTS Roadster is not yet available in the U.S. Roadster and the coupe version of the TTS in showrooms. However, it鈥檚 more affordable than the 718 Boxster T in other markets. Read our full review of the 2019 Audi TTS Roadster. To be honest I鈥檓 a bit disappointed that the 982-generation has yet to spawn a higher performance Boxster Spyder model, but the Boxster T is a good addition to the lineup. Although far from outstanding on the horsepower front, it has everything it needs to keep enthusiasts happy and it also comes with a good discount for the extra features. One might be tempted to say that Porsche just added a somewhat meaningless model to the lineup, but with only the S and GTS atop the base model, the Boxster T fills an important gap. There aren鈥檛 many no-nonsense sports cars on the market right now, so the Boxster T is more than welcome.