Watch Out for the New Porsche 718 Boxster! Lots of Turbo Power!

2017 porsche boxster x 718 turbo
Porsche 718 Boxster S

How to make a great thing better? Porsche has been facing challenges such as this for a long time. Enter the next generation of the Porsche Boxster mid-engine roadster. It may look similar to the outgoing model, but much has changed. First, it is now called the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S.

The big news is the downsizing and turbocharging of the powertrain choices. The base 718 Boxster comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a nice and round 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque @ 1,950 rpm. This represents a healthy increase of 35 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. The new base roadster is claimed to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

718 Boxster S

The next step up is the 718 Boxster S that uses a larger 2.5-liter turbocharged four good for 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. The S version should be able to hit 60 mph in an impressive 4.0 seconds flat.

Both versions of the new 718 will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard! A PDK automated transmission will also be available.

718 Boxster und 718 Boxster S
718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S

Porsche claims that the new engines are also up to 13% more efficient than the outgoing models.

Porsche went to work with updated chassis and suspension tuning and restyled nearly every body panel. The changes are subtle and both front and rear trunk lids are the only carry-over parts from the previous car.

2017 porsche boxster interior dash 718

The 718s features the latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system with a touch screen that is located in the center of a revised dashboard. The center stack also features traditional button-operated controls. The tachometer is still in the center of the gauge cluster.

We have not driven the 718 Boxster yet, but adding more power and tweaking the chassis of the Boxster should add even more smiles per gallon to Porsche’s mid-engine roadster.

The 718 models will be available for sale in June 2016. Pricing for the US models and EPA ratings have not yet been announced.

Check out the second episode of the Project Porsche series here.

Here are several turbocharged Porsche 911 and 718 Boxster prototypes caught testing at high altitude of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.