Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR&SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 123

P

orsche’s 718 Boxster,
launched in 2016, ushered
in the greatest changes in the
model’s history.
The 718 moniker is used by
Porsche to tie the car to the
famous four-cylinder 718 racers
of the late 1950s–early 1960s.
Porsche was nervous that the
new Boxster and its Cayman
coupe sibling would meet a less-
than-glowing reception due to
the change from the much-loved
naturally aspirated six-cylinder
engines to turbocharged four-
cylinder power, so it
resurrected the 718 badge to
demonstrate that the four-
cylinder Boxster and Cayman
are genuine performance,
pedigreed Porsches.
It’s a change that Porsche
would probably have preferred
not to make, but ever more
restrictive EU emissions
regulations forced its hand.
Boxster 718, priced at
$117,700, runs a 220kW 2.0-litre
four-cylinder turbo engine.
Boxster S, at $147,900, has a

257kW 2.5-litre engine. These

outputs are 26kW greater than

the previous six-cylinder engines.

A six-speed manual is standard

and a seven-speed PDK adds

$1860 to the base model and

$4990 to the S.

GTS specifi cation ups outputs

to 269kW/420Nm. GTS manual is

$175,500; PDK is $181,480.

The 2.5-litre engine in the

Boxster S has its pros and cons

compared with the old 3.4-litre

naturally-aspirated six.

It’s a much more tractable

engine in the lower midrange,

producing a massive 420Nm

of torque from just 1900rpm.

It pulls hard and handsome

from 2000–7200rpm so you’re

typically running a gear, or two,

higher. It’s also a lot quieter in

cruise mode, making it a much

more relaxing, pleasant touring

car. On the highway, it can

return under 7.0L/100km.

And at the top end, pedal to

the metal, it really fl ies, clocking

a claimed 4.2 seconds for the

0–100km/h trip in the PDK

versions tested — 0.6 seconds

quicker than the previous model.

Downsides? Porsche has

tried to make its force-fed four

sound like a big engine with a

deep, angry, growly note at low

revs, but it just sounds fake and

overdone. It changes at high revs

to a loud pneumatic hissing noise

that’s also pretty awful compared

with the howling, mechanical

hymn of the six. And it just

doesn’t have that immediate,

proportionate response to the

pedal that a naturally aspirated

performance engine does.

There’s annoying vibration just

off idle, and PDK is less refi ned

and more hesitant than it used to

be. This is particularly noticeable

in traffi c, where throttle response

and gear selection are less

smooth and seamless than

previously. It improves if you use

Sport mode, where PDK isn’t

as fi xated on getting to seventh

gear as quickly as possible to

minimise fuel consumption.

In other respects, the 718

is a good thing made better.

On a tight, winding road, the

new Boxster is superb, with

even sharper steering and

sportier dynamics. Four-piston

front brakes lifted from the

911 further improve stopping

power while optional PASM

adaptive suspension ($2710)

permits a reasonably compliant,

comfortable ride.

The interior features Porsche’s

usual comfortable, supportive

seat, a swish new infotainment

system with a larger touchscreen

and voice control, a wheel-

mounted switch for drivetrain/

suspension adjustment (with a

button that primes the engine with

revs for 20 seconds in anticipation

of your need to overtake)

and useful-sized storage

compartments at either end.

The numbers say that the

2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo 718

Boxster S is a better car, but the

previous model’s 3.4-litre atmo

six is sorely missed.

PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER FROM $117,700

THINGS WE LIKE

 Brilliant dynamics

 Comfortable ride on PASM

 Quiet in cruise mode

 Wide spread of usable performance

 Good fuel effi ciency

 Reasonable storage for

a convertible

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

 Makes ugly noises

 Jerky and hesitant drivetrain

in traffi c

 Vibration off idle

 Lacks the responsiveness of a

naturally aspirated engine

 Voice control doesn’t speak

Australian

 $1090 for Apple CarPlay? Gouge.

SPEX (S WITH PDK)

Made in Germany

2.5-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol/

seven-speed PDK/rear-wheel drive

257kW of power at 6500rpm;

420Nm of torque from 1900–

4500rpm

6.0L/100km highway; 9.5L/100km

city; 98 octane premium; CO 2

emissions are 167g/km

Warranty: Three years/unlimited

kilometres

Standard: Stability control, four

airbags, leather upholstery, alarm,

parking sensors, Bluetooth, digital

radio, voice control, navigation,

heated, power adjustable seats,

19-inch alloys

Redbook future values: 3yr: 54%;

5yr: 38%

Safety

Not yet tested

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

compare with ...

Audi TT RS, BMW M240i, Mercedes

SLC43 AMG