The 718 moniker, while it's new to the Boxster, isn't new to Porsche because the same nameplate was used for a sports car that was built some time between the late 50s and early 60s. And like the Boxster, the mid-engined sports car also features horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engines.
While we can recognise the need to downsize the Boxster to a 2.0-litre (previously 2.7-litre) and the Boxster S that you see here to 2.5-litre (it was a bigger 3.4-litre), the '718' - unlike the '911' - doesn't quite seem to roll off our tongues so effortlessly and eloquently.
But all that is about to change, as what we've experienced recently at Porsche's World Roadshow. With substance to match its stylish sheet metal, and then some, the flat-four 718 won't be regarded as an 'unfitting' pure bred Porsche sports car.
Up close and Personal
More comprehensively than just an engine change, the 718 isn't just another one of those changeovers that's hard to differentiate from its predecessor. From afar, the low-slung lean mean machine is noticeably tauter, wider and more masculine, with decent lines at the right places and rounder edges to give it an overall well-proportioned look.
While we can recognise the need to downsize the Boxster to a 2.0-litre (previously 2.7-litre) and the Boxster S that you see here to 2.5-litre (it was a bigger 3.4-litre), the '718' - unlike the '911' - doesn't quite seem to roll off our tongues so effortlessly and eloquently.
But all that is about to change, as what we've experienced recently at Porsche's World Roadshow. With substance to match its stylish sheet metal, and then some, the flat-four 718 won't be regarded as an 'unfitting' pure bred Porsche sports car.
Up close and Personal
More comprehensively than just an engine change, the 718 isn't just another one of those changeovers that's hard to differentiate from its predecessor. From afar, the low-slung lean mean machine is noticeably tauter, wider and more masculine, with decent lines at the right places and rounder edges to give it an overall well-proportioned look.
While some may argue that the rear badging, which is now strategically placed under the spoiler, appears fussy, it is undoubtedly futuristic and easy on our eyes. Couple that with the blacked out taillights and what you get is a more antagonistic butt that you wouldn't want to mess around on the expressway.
Inside, the 718 sports a Porsche-familiar design that's more driver-centric than ever. Like the new 911, the 718's steering wheel now has a selector knob that allows you to toggle between the four different drive modes - Normal, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. The steering wheel has also been 'upgraded' from before, with better feel-good quotient thanks to metal bits that help to enhance its 'mechanical' nature.
Inside, the 718 sports a Porsche-familiar design that's more driver-centric than ever. Like the new 911, the 718's steering wheel now has a selector knob that allows you to toggle between the four different drive modes - Normal, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. The steering wheel has also been 'upgraded' from before, with better feel-good quotient thanks to metal bits that help to enhance its 'mechanical' nature.
The Drive
What used to be a naturally aspirated flat-six has now been superseded by a flavourful turbocharged flat-four. While most will deem downsizing a big news, especially for a sports carmaker like Porsche, we reckon it's the next most logical step. Predictably, this move has led to the shock of plenty purists but unlike most accountable items, this isn't the case where smaller things equate to lesser value.
In this instance, the 718 Boxster S' spec sheet is all about pleasant readings over its replacement. It is powered by a 2.5-litre powerplant that pumps out 350 horses and 420Nm of torque from the word go, and every bit of it is felt while we were door-handling the car on Sepang International Circuit.
Granted, it isn't as fast as the other cars that were there, such as the 911 Turbo and the 911 Turbo S, but being brutally fast has never been equivalent to playfully fun in sgCarMart's driving dictionary. Instead, it's more about the way the car carries itself and its abilities to bring forward its endearing pros and forgivable cons on the track.
Pedal to the metal and the 718's 4.2-second century sprint timing is unquestionably believable. Pick up is blistering quick, as you can imagine, and turns are made with absolute conviction, thanks to a well-weighted steering that's precise and quick. The very fact that the Pirelli P Zero 20-inchers have the strong capacity to grip the tarmac hard makes every turn - whether it's a long and winding one on Turn 5 or a hairpin one on Turn 9 - confidence-inspiring.
What used to be a naturally aspirated flat-six has now been superseded by a flavourful turbocharged flat-four. While most will deem downsizing a big news, especially for a sports carmaker like Porsche, we reckon it's the next most logical step. Predictably, this move has led to the shock of plenty purists but unlike most accountable items, this isn't the case where smaller things equate to lesser value.
In this instance, the 718 Boxster S' spec sheet is all about pleasant readings over its replacement. It is powered by a 2.5-litre powerplant that pumps out 350 horses and 420Nm of torque from the word go, and every bit of it is felt while we were door-handling the car on Sepang International Circuit.
Granted, it isn't as fast as the other cars that were there, such as the 911 Turbo and the 911 Turbo S, but being brutally fast has never been equivalent to playfully fun in sgCarMart's driving dictionary. Instead, it's more about the way the car carries itself and its abilities to bring forward its endearing pros and forgivable cons on the track.
Pedal to the metal and the 718's 4.2-second century sprint timing is unquestionably believable. Pick up is blistering quick, as you can imagine, and turns are made with absolute conviction, thanks to a well-weighted steering that's precise and quick. The very fact that the Pirelli P Zero 20-inchers have the strong capacity to grip the tarmac hard makes every turn - whether it's a long and winding one on Turn 5 or a hairpin one on Turn 9 - confidence-inspiring.
The only thing we are unable to tell you more about is how the car will actually fare around town and between traffic. But with that much torque on tap and a suspension that highlights the keenness and agility of this car, we suspect the 718 will be a cinch on our roads. But that will be another story for another time when we test drive the car in Singapore.
Conclusion
Whether or not you've driven the previously captivating flat-six, there is just no doubting that the downsized 2.5-litre flat-four on the 718 Boxster S is mightily impressive. Given that the sound basics of handling and driveability in this car exceed segment expectations, we say the Porsche is one rewarding machine to pilot.
We aren't going to argue against the opinions of purists and how they reckon that the 911 is still the Porsche to have. But what we are going to say is... the flat-four 718 sure as hell isn't an 'unfitting' pure bred Porsche sports car.
Conclusion
Whether or not you've driven the previously captivating flat-six, there is just no doubting that the downsized 2.5-litre flat-four on the 718 Boxster S is mightily impressive. Given that the sound basics of handling and driveability in this car exceed segment expectations, we say the Porsche is one rewarding machine to pilot.
We aren't going to argue against the opinions of purists and how they reckon that the 911 is still the Porsche to have. But what we are going to say is... the flat-four 718 sure as hell isn't an 'unfitting' pure bred Porsche sports car.
