Performance meets heritage with Porsche’s 718 Boxster

Way back in the 1950s and 1960s, Porsche were running 718 (pronounced seven-eighteen) four-cylinder flat engine open cockpit race cars.

And as is the case today, these cars were winning all over the show, including such high profile races such as Targa Florio and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Fast forward well over 50 years, and a full 20 years after the first Boxster made its debut, Porsche is introducing their all new Boxster that will now go under the legendary name of 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S.

And as you might have guessed, the big news is that these cars will be once again running four-cylinder flat engines but now with the help of modern direct fuel injection and turbo charging for that desired Porsche urge you have come to expect from the brand.

There will be two power versions: the 2.0 litre engine in the 718 Boxster produces 220kW of power and 380Nm of torque, while the 2.5 litres 718 Boxster S engine produces 257kW and 420Nm.

While the power increases over the old naturally aspirated models is not great, the jump in torque is massive and will be appreciated and felt the first time you take your Boxster out to play.

While the 2.0 litre exhibited a bit of lag low down and an exhaust note I wasn’t quite sure I liked, it was still quick and Porsche claim a 0-100km/h sprint time of a mere 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 275km/h in PDK (all SA cars will come standard as PDK, but you can order a six-speed manual version if you so desire) with Sport Chrono Package fitted.

This optional Sport Chrono Package, as in the new 911, now includes an Individual setting in addition to the Normal, Sport and Sport Plus setting you can have.

From a specific menu in the instrument cluster, you can also individually combine the PASM, sport exhaust system, auto start/ stop function and rear spoiler based on programming settings for them.

In the cars with PDK, you get a Sport Response button that was inspired by the ‘push to pass’ option in motorsport. Punch this button and for 20 seconds, your Boxster is dialled into its most aggressive and responsive setting for maximum overtaking ability.

But it was the 2.5 S model that impressed me most, the extra grunt made for a somewhat more exciting car, with you now having to pay full attention to where you would brake on the race track because of the extra speed that you could carry.

The claimed 0-100km/h sprint time here is claimed to be 4.2 seconds along with a top speed of 285km/h and this puts the car in some fast company on the road. None of this has been done at the expense of fuel consumption as it is claimed that the 2.0 litre flat four with PDK consumes just 6.9 litres per 100km on average, and the 2.5 litre a mere 7.3 litres per 100km.

So, for 2016 we have more horsepower and better fuel consumption! Being a Porsche also means that these new roadsters are impressive in their agile driving dynamics.

This is thanks to the likes of completely new chassis tuning with higher stabiliser and spring rates, and an electromechanical steering that is now 10% more direct. For even greater precision and lateral stability, Porsche engineers modified numerous aspects of the rear suspension.

For instance, a new lateral member strengthens the rear subframe and thereby improves lateral rigidity. Dampers with larger piston and rod diameters also improve precise wheel tracking by adding rigidity.

The rear wheels, that are half an inch wider, offer better support. Together with the newly developed tyres, this all makes a significant contribution toward increased cornering stability.

Porsche is also offering the PASM sport suspension as an option. This includes a 20mm lower ride height and much ride in Sport mode.

Because of the car’s greater driving performance capabilities, stronger brakes are used with 330mm brake discs in front and 299mm discs at the rear. This means that the 718 Boxster now has the brake system that was previously used in the Boxster S, and the 718 Boxster S now uses the four-piston callipers of the 911 Carrera combined with thicker brake discs.

The Porsche Stability Management (PSM) control system has also been upgraded to suit the car’s sharper dynamics. And when the car is equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the system offers the mode known as PSM Sport, and this mode allows you to get a lot closer to the car’s limits by allowing much larger yaw angles and more slip at the drive wheels while still keeping an eye on your safety.

Porsche is expecting lap times on the North Loop of the Nürburgring that are more than 16 seconds faster than those of the previous model. And after a few hot laps of the famous Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi in the cars, I not only can’t see any problems in achieving this target, I also came away from my drive extremely impressed with what the 718 Boxster offers a performance enthusiast.

Inside it is Porsche business as usual and the interior is a familiar place but now features a host of upgraded elements. The redesigned upper part of the dash panel reflects the three dimensional exterior design with its elevated air vents.

You get a 375mm diameter sport steering wheel in the design of the 918 Spyder as standard, with a new 360mm GT sport steering wheel being an option.

Porsche also offers a multifunction option and heating option for all steering wheel versions.

Follow Mark Jones on Twitter for all the latest full-throttle motoring action.