It’s one thing for buyers of ordinary cars to be ambivalent concerning the means of aspiration under their bonnet, but Porsche owners are a different matter.
With a long history of sweet and powerful six-cylinder engines, and no four-cylinder offering for 20 years (bar the rarely-mentioned four-pot Macan) you can understand why the 718 Boxster needs to be just right.
Thankfully this preview suggests the Boxster lineage is going to be just fine. Firstly that new four-cylinder turbocharged unit is no cast-off or parts bin find; closely related to the six-cylinder turbos now found in 911 models, in the Boxster it comes in 2.0-litre form and 2.5-litre guise for the Boxster S.
In the standard Boxster there is 296bhp, 35bhp more than the outgoing version, while torque increases to 280lb/ft, up by 75lb/ft or 35%. The Boxster S achieves 345bhp and 310lb/ft of torque, increases of 35bhp and 44lb/ft respectively.
Of more interest is how that performance translates on to the road, and one stat probably illustrates this more clearly than any other; the standard Boxster with PDK gearbox and Sport Chrono pack can hit 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds – 0.8 seconds quicker than the old car, and 0.1 seconds quicker than the old Boxster S.
With even more power and torque the new Boxster S can perform the same feat in 4.2 seconds, making it as quick as a 911 Carrera S. But the motivation behind smaller turbocharged engines is mainly efficiency, and on this front the 718 Boxster delivers too with fuel consumption reduced by as much as 13%.
Visually there’s a bit more substance and solidity to the Boxster’s shape. The need for greater air flow has dictated bigger vents at the front of the car, which also brings the 718 closer to the latest generation 911 at first glance.
The same goes for the flanks which have more pronounced air intakes down the side, all the better to feed the new engine, while at the rear there’s a nod to older Porsches with a full-width strip incorporating the high-level brake light.
There’s more changes under the skin too, with a retuned suspension set up as well as increased options; Porsche Active Suspension Management with a 10mm lower ride height is available, as is PASM Sport with 20mm lower set up an option on the Boxster S.
Models with the Sport Chrono and PDK package fitted now gain an extra mode dubbed Sport Response. Flicking this switch gives 20 seconds of hightened response from the engine and transmission, designed to provide slick overtaking without having to change drive mode altogether.
Although only experienced from the passenger seat, the 718 Boxster S no longer feels like the junior to the 911. The acceleration is borderline brutal and seemingly unrelenting, and all the while accompanied by an engine note that while not as sweet and musical as the six-cylinder unit is nonetheless engaging and exciting, with a more mechanical motorsport tone to it.
Out on a sodden test track the balance and delicacy of the old Boxster is still clearly present, with sharp turn in and a good balance between front and rear grip. With more power available there’s more scope for hooligan behaviour, but the three-stage PASM means it will go as sideways as your talent will allow.
It’s just a matter of weeks before the 718 Boxster goes on sale, with prices starting at £41,739 for the Boxster and £50,695 for the Boxster S.
