After a long wait, the new 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS are finally making their debuts, to the great pleasure of car buyers looking for a convertible or coupe that’s less pricy than the 911, but still racier and sportier than a 718 base model.
The 2.5L boxer engine the two models share generates 365 hp thanks to new air intake tubing and an optimized turbocharger. That represents an increase of 15 horses over the current S versions and up to 35 more than delivered by the naturally aspirated engines that powered the older GTS models. Torque comes in at 317 lb-ft between 1,900 and 5,000 RPM. This translates into a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.1 seconds when using the available dual-clutch PDK transmission (the other option is a 6-speed manual).
Other standard equipment included in the 2018 editions are the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system with a mechanical rear differential lock and the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system, which sets the car 10 mm lower to the ground.
Beauties with a dark side
Esthetically, the new Porsche 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS feature distinctive new Sport Design front bumpers, and of course many black-finish elements, including the front and rear lights, wheels, diffuser, badges and the central tailpipes of the sport exhaust system.
Inside, the stopwatch of the standard Sport Chrono package is a prominent element on the dashboard. Both occupants get Plus sport seats with Alcantara centre components and the GTS logo on the headrests, and which provide improved lateral support. Those who live for driving on the track will love the Porsche Track Precision app, which can be used to record, display and analyze detailed driving data, all from a smartphone.
At what price?
The 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS can both be ordered as of now, and are expected at dealerships during the first quarter of 2018. The Boxster will set buyers back at least $90,600, while the Cayman starts at $93,000.
If you're waffling over whether the GTS version is worth it, read our 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S Review and do a little comparison.
