Porsche Enhances 718 Boxster And Cayman With Performance-oriented T Model
If you鈥檝e looked beyond the 718 Boxster or Cayman for an S, GTS, or even higher performance model, you鈥檙e not alone. But yesterday Porsche unveiled the 718 Boxster and Cayman T, giving us a new reason to consider a Porsche with the base engine. The base engine, in this case, is a mid-mounted turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four making 300 horsepower and sending it to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK automatic transmission. This is Porsche鈥檚 least-powerful engine fitted to a sports car at the moment, yet all 718s can dispatch 0-60 miles per hour in less than five seconds. That鈥檚 nothing to sniff at. Porsche took measures to reduce the car鈥檚 weight, including fabric interior door-pull straps instead of plastic levers, sport seats with electric backrest adjustment, and, crucially, the removal of the Porsche Communications Management (PCM) unit in the dashboard. In the US, PCM is a requirement because regulations necessitate backup cameras and, in turn, a screen to display what the cameras see.
In a European press release, Porsche says the 718 T鈥檚 weight (applied to both the Cayman and Boxster) with a manual transmission is 2,976 pounds, which is curiously heavier than a North American-spec 718 by 32 pounds. Porsche says that a new gasoline particulate filter (no word on whether it will be installed on North American models) offset the meager weight savings, meaning that US-spec cars with mandatory PCM units could be even heavier. We鈥檝e asked Porsche what the 718 T will weigh in our market and will update this post as soon as possible. For those who are wondering, with PDK the 718 T tips the scales at 3,042 pounds (again, European market numbers). So if the 718 T doesn鈥檛 offer meaningful weight savings, then why should anyone care? The things that make the 718 T are not going to actually enhance performance in any meaningful way. Stuttgart. With the 718 T, Porsche has transferred the puristic design of the 1968 911 T to its range of two-seater sports cars. The new model in the Boxster and Cayman ranges combines the 220 kW (300 PS) turbo four-cylinder flat engine with a particularly emotional Porsche driving experience.
Traditionally, 鈥淭鈥?stands for 鈥淭ouring鈥?in Porsche models, and is synonymous with driving pleasure in its purest form. The 718 T will be most at home on winding country roads, offering the joy of dynamic driving as its ultimate goal. The two-seater accommodates this philosophy through a pared down range of features. These include black door pulls in the door panels and sports seats with electric two-way adjustment, black Sport-Tex centre sections and the 鈥?18鈥?logo embroidered on the headrests. The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) module has also been replaced by a large storage compartment, though buyers who do not wish to forego the entertainment system may order it at no extra charge. Put together, these measures balance out the additional weight created by the installation of the gasoline particulate filter (GPF). In the interior, the character of the 718 T is highlighted through a number of emphatically sporty touches: luxurious padding and leather covering means the convenient, 360-millimetre GT sports steering wheel with Mode switch offers a particularly secure grip. Other 鈥淏oxster T鈥?or 鈥淐ayman T鈥?logos adorn the black instrument dials. The decorative trims of the instrument panel and central console gleam in a glossy black finish.
鈥淏oxster T鈥?or 鈥淐ayman T鈥?logos also appear on the door entry strips. The exterior of the Porsche 718 T is characterised by its powerful appearance. With 20-inch alloy wheels painted in high-gloss titanium grey, combined with the PASM sports chassis with 20-millimetre lowered body, it simply looks outstanding on the road. Agate grey mirror shells and 鈥?18 Boxster T鈥?or 鈥?18 Cayman T鈥?logos on the sides declare the model variant, which can also be identified from the rear, by the centrally positioned sports exhaust with black, chrome-plated twin tailpipes. In terms of exterior colours, buyers can choose from black, Indian Red, Racing Yellow and white as well as Carrara White, Deep Black and GT Silver metallic colours. Porsche is also offering Lava Orange and Miami Blue as special colours. Adjusted for equipment, 718 T buyers can enjoy a price advantage of 5 - 10% compared to a similarly equipped basic model. The 220 kW (300 PS) turbocharged flat engine accelerates the Porsche 718 T powerfully and boasts up to 7,500 revolutions.