It’s exactly 20 years this year since the Porsche Boxter first drove on to the scene back in 1996. To celebrate, the firm has totally upped the ante on their new models the 718 Boxter and 718 Boxter S — making them significantly faster and quicker off the mark.
Both are way more powerful than their outgoing predecessors, with the 718 Boxter’s 2.0liter turbocharged flat-four generating 300hp and the 718 Boxter S’s 2.5liter version pumping out 350hp.
That’s a whole 35 more horsepower for each engine. An increase of 10 per cent (and even more than that in the 718 Boxter S’s case).
Thanks to the turbocharging torque is also hugely increased and spread over a much broader power band. The Boxter S now manages 280lb/ft between 1,950rpm and 4,500rpm – an incredible 36 per cent more torque than the old model.
The Boxter S is up by 43lb/ft of torque to 309lb/ft, which is available from 1,900rpm to 4,500rpm.
As could be expected, the new increased torque has drastically cut 0-60mph times, knocking 0.7 seconds off in the 718 Boxter’s case, allowing it to hit 60mph in just 4.5 seconds. The 718 Boxter S has seen its time drop half a second to just 4.0seconds.
Top speeds are also up, by 8mph to 170mph for the 718 Boxter and up 5mph to 177mph in the 718 Boxter S’s case.
Despite the improved performance, Porsche say the engines are actually 14 more efficient than the old ones, and both models come standard with a six-speed manual for the ultimate thrill-ride.
