News: Porsche 718 (Boxster & Cayman)

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Oooh, that's sexy! :wub:
 
I have to say I'm excited about what may come from this.

First of all, Porsche aren't tossing in a Golf-engine to replace the flat six, they are developing a bespoke turbocharged flat-4 boxer engine to go in it. Second, I think returning to a 4-cylinder Boxer engine in the entry level sports car only means they are going back to their roots. Despite being a the bottom of the range, cars like the 356, 912, 904, 914, 924, 944, and 968 were all great drivers' cars. Third, you can be confident that the new turbo-4 will outperform the six it replaces, it will cure the gutlessness that the base (2,7) 981 suffers from. This will make it more everyday driveable, also, their competitors are turbo-4s. Finally, I also think the new 4-cylinder might also help the 718 in creating it's own identity rather than being viewed as the "not-quite-911" with the same engine, but not quite. ;)

I wouldn't write off a car that isn't even launched yet. I'm sure it will be fine, just like the the turbocharged 991 Carreras, reviews have confirmed this. A 4-cylinder turbo surely wouldn't put me off a 718 Cayman :)
 
Yep, not like the first Porsche was a middle-engined sports car with a four cylinder boxer-engine...

The first ever racing porsche was this

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Now let's not get bogged down into originalities and respect 6-cyl Boxster as it was.


Btw, marketing group can squeeze every tear of "true fans" saying "they're coming back to oldschool" (which never had/needed turbo) but the truth stands clear: they're cutting on parts to overpump engine and reduce it's natural mileage. Ecoboost Porsche, right..
 
I have to say I'm excited about what may come from this.

First of all, Porsche aren't tossing in a Golf-engine to replace the flat six, they are developing a bespoke turbocharged flat-4 boxer engine to go in it. Second, I think returning to a 4-cylinder Boxer engine in the entry level sports car only means they are going back to their roots. Despite being a the bottom of the range, cars like the 356, 912, 904, 914, 924, 944, and 968 were all great drivers' cars. Third, you can be confident that the new turbo-4 will outperform the six it replaces, it will cure the gutlessness that the base (2,7) 981 suffers from. This will make it more everyday driveable, also, their competitors are turbo-4s. Finally, I also think the new 4-cylinder might also help the 718 in creating it's own identity rather than being viewed as the "not-quite-911" with the same engine, but not quite. ;)

I wouldn't write off a car that isn't even launched yet. I'm sure it will be fine, just like the the turbocharged 991 Carreras, reviews have confirmed this. A 4-cylinder turbo surely wouldn't put me off a 718 Cayman :)
Are they going to price this new car like they're going back to their roots? No.

Does the engine sound at least pleasant enough to evoke a pleasant visceral response? Judging from the videos I posted in the last page? No.

This is not an engineering decision. It was foisted upon them by the EU CO2 regulations, and the marketers are simply doing what they do best (i.e., trying to make chicken salad out of chicken shit).
 
Here it is, folks:

Porsche marketing rubbish said:
The new Porsche 718 Boxster20 years after the first Boxster made its debut, Porsche is restructuring its mid-engine roadsters. The designation for the new generation of models is 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S.

The two-seat convertibles are now more powerful yet more fuel efficient. With them, Porsche continues the tradition of the four-cylinder flat engines that were used in the Porsche 718 mid-engine sports cars that won numerous races back in the 1950s and 1960s, among them being the legendary Targa Florio and Le Mans.The centrepiece of the new model series is the newly developed four-cylinder flat engine with turbocharging. The 718 Boxster develops 220 kW (300 hp) of power from two litres of engine displacement, while the 718 Boxster S attains 257 kW (350 hp) from 2.5 litres of displacement. In the S-model, Porsche also uses a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. In fact Porsche is now the only manufacturer to offer vtgicon technology in production cars with petrol-driven engines, both in the 911 Turbo and in the 718 Boxster S. Impressive here are the considerable power gain of 26 kW (35 hp) compared to the previous Boxster models and the efficiency of the new turbo engines. The new 718 Boxster models have fuel economy improvements of up to 13 per cent.

The completely new chassis tuning and stronger brakes provide for passionate and sporty driving pleasure. The design of the new model line was also comprehensively advanced. The vehicle was completely revised except for the luggage compartment lids, the windscreen and the convertible top. Inside, a newly designed dash panel frames the cockpit. In addition, the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCMicon) with a state-of-the-art touchscreen is included as standard. The navigation module is available as an option.

Efficient turbo power from four cylinders
The launch of the new 718 Boxster generation represents the first time since the late 1960s that Porsche is implementing sports cars with four-cylinder flat engines again since the end of the 1960s. Turbocharging significantly boosts torque. The two-litre engine of the 718 Boxster has a maximum torque of 380 Newton metres (gain of 100 Newton metres), which is available from 1,950 rpm to 4,500 rpm. The 2.5-litre engine of the 718 Boxster S even attains 420 Newton metres (60 Newton metres more) over a speed range from 1,900 rpm to 4,500 rpm.

Thus, the new 718 Boxster models sprint even faster. The 718 Boxster ? with PDKicon and the Sport Chronoicon Package ? sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds (0.8 seconds faster). The 718 Boxster S with the same equipment completes this discipline in 4.2 seconds (0.6 seconds faster). The top speed of the 718 Boxster is 275 km/h, and the 718 Boxster S has a top speed of 285 km/h.

The Porsche turbo concept is boosting driving performance while improving fuel economy. In the 718 Boxster, the four-cylinder flat engine with PDK has a NEDC fuel consumption figure of 6.9 l/100 km (1.0 l/100 km less). In the 718 Boxster S, the 2.5-litre turbo flat engine with PDK consumes just 7.3 l/100 km (0.9 l/100 km less). The 718 models come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), which now features fuel-saving virtual gears, is available as an option.

New design emphasises sharpened profile
The 718 model line can be made out at first glance. The front end of the new roadster exhibits a much more sculptural form. The front has a wider and more masculine appearance. The much larger cooling air intakes at the front are a distinct exterior expression of the new turbo engine concept. The front end of the 718 Boxster is rounded out by the new design of the bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are available as a new option. From a side view, identifying features of the new model line include new, independently styled wings and side sills. Larger air inlet panels with two fins emphasise the car's dynamic look. The doors are now designed without door handle recess covers. New 19-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Boxster S. 20-inch diameter wheels are available as an option.

The redesigned rear body of the 718 Boxster has a much wider look ? especially due to the accent strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The entirely redeveloped tail lights are distinguished by their three-dimensional LED technology and four-point brake lights.

Sportier tuning of chassis for greater agility
In its driving dynamics, the new roadster follows in the tracks of the original 718. The car's completely retuned chassis enhances cornering performance. The electromechanical steering system is configured to be ten per cent more direct. This makes the 718 Boxster even more agile and easier to steer, both on circuit tracks and in everyday traffic. Available at extra charge for the roadsters is Porsche Active Suspension Managementicon (PASM) with a ten millimetre lower ride height. For the first time, the PASM sport chassis with a 20 millimetre lower ride height is available as an option for the 718 Boxster S. The active chassis, which has also been retuned, offers an even broader spread between long-distance touring comfort and dynamic sporty stiffness.

Extensive Sport Chrono Package for dynamic driving experience
As in the 911, the optional Sport Chrono Package now comprises the Individual programme in addition to the three settings Normal, Sport and Sport Plus. In sports cars with PDK, the Sport Response Button has been added, which is located at the middle of the driving programme switch. Inspired by car racing, it enables the driver to configure the responsiveness of the engine and the PDK to be very direct. Awaiting the driver in the cockpit of the 718 Boxster is the familiar Porsche interior environment, now upgraded with new elements such as the instrument panel. Another central element of the new interior layout is the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) unit with mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the Sound Package Plus with 110 watts of audio power. The PCM can be extended with optional modules to thoroughly adapt it to personal requirements. For instance, the navigation module with voice control is available, which makes it easy to input driving destinations. In addition, the Connect Plus module is available as an extension of the navigation module; it provides extended online services. The market launch of the new mid-engine sports car begins on April 30 in Europe. 718 Boxster pricing starts at 53,646 euros in Germany, and the 718 Boxster S from 66,141 euros, each with country-specific features and including VAT.

Consumption data:
718 Boxster: Combined fuel consumption: 7.4 ? 6.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions: 168 - 158 g/km
718 Boxster S: Combined fuel consumption 8.1 ? 7.3 l/100 km; CO2 emissions: 184 - 167 g/km


I will say this, I think the update is attractive looking, as is the new Lava Orange paint.

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... but THIS MAKES ME SAD!!!!! :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:


[video=youtube;ssG-yLJHsDE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssG-yLJHsDE[/video]


Seriously, it no longer sounds like a sports car. Epic fail.
 
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From the exterior it sounds like shit, the interior reminded me of some typical 4 cyl turbo hatchback, a wannabe GTI sound ... If this is the future, fuck off with it. :cry:
 
I wouldn't mind this sort of thing, if they were actually affordable. But they're not, so it's a bit of a shame.

I'd get a C7 Stingray instead. :p
 
I'd get a C7 Stingray instead. :p
Amazing chassis be damned, even I can't recommend this new Boxster to anyone. If this was the case a year ago when I bought mine, I wouldn't have even blinked and bought a C7 instead. I'm so glad I have my 981 though.
 
I'm having trouble getting a read on what the rear surfacing looks like. But so far, I think I much prefer the current gen's tail.
 
I'm having trouble getting a read on what the rear surfacing looks like. But so far, I think I much prefer the current gen's tail.

Also, what's with these small facelifted indicators on the 991 and now 981? Are they trying to making the cars more viable for asians?
 
i like the looks as well

the sound...not so much
 
Me too, looks great, sounds like a turbodiesel.

Edit, just listened again, there are turbodiesels that sound way better than that.
 
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Everything is reportedly objectively better, but the car is, IMO, utterly ruined. Just look at the reviewer's face during that entire review, and focus on what he doesn't say as much as he does say. Terrible.


And just in case you still think it doesn't sound half-bad, listen to the above.

:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
 
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Especially compared to:

 
It doesn't even sound as good as a Subaru.
 
I like the sound :dunno:
If it were in a GTI or a WRX, I'd be okay with it. But it's like one reviewer said.... this sound in a 2 seat mid-engine sports car with a Porsche badge? It's like a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

Narf, don't bother with the references to Porsches of old. It's completely besides the point for the here and now (and they weren't turbo flat fours, either, just NA).
 
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