Porsche’s New Cayman and Boxster GTSs Are All About Driving Pleasure
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Say one thing about Porsche, it knows its customers. Where some automakers are doubling down on electric motors and self-driving features, Porsche is dipping its capable toes in those waters without abandoning roots that have made the Zuffenhausen marque the stuff of automotive legend. In a word: racing. Specifically, more than 30,000 motorsport triumphs to date.
And so it is that for every updated kid-and-dog mover (Cayenne, Macan, Panamera Sport Turismo), the company makes sure to offer the faithful something to reassure them of its commitment to pure driving pleasure. Enter a pair of aces in the form of the new 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and its drop-top sibling, the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0.
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The heart of both cars is a Porsche staple, a naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine with 4-liters of displacement that makes 394 hp, just 20 hp shy of the special power plant shoehorned behind the drivers of the 718 Spyder and the truly race-ready 718 Cayman GT4.
Wringing the most out of the new GTS 4.0 is up to the pilot of course, thanks to the car’s mandatory six-speed manual transmission. Accelerating to 60 mph can be done in 4.3 seconds for both coupe and convertible, resulting in an aural symphony that is amplified by the Sport Exhaust System that comes standard. Redline is 7,800 rpm and top speed is 182 mph.
Helping keep the car glued to the ground is the Porsche Active Suspension Management sport suspension featuring a ride height lowered by 20 mm compared to the standard 718. Also standard is Porsche Torque Vectoring and a mechanical limited-slip differential, both of which further refine the model’s already impressive road manners.
Inside and out, the GTS 4.0 models benefit from black contrasting design elements and a dark Alcantara interior that will be familiar to even the most casual track demons. Specifically, there’s a black rear fascia that shows off the dual, centrally located exhaust pipes, the all-black side air intake. In addition, the front running light and rear tail light lenses come with a menacing tint.
Black Alcantara is used throughout the cabin: on the central parts of the Sports Seats Plus, center console, steering wheel rim, gear lever and door armrests. An optional GTS Interior Package brings either Carmine Red or Chalk to the party, your choice for the seat belts, tachometer face, and all decorative stitching including that found on the headrest and floor mats.
Some of Porsche’s more high-tech interior treats are also available, including voice control and a high-end Burmester surround sound system. But honestly, if you opt for either of these 718 GTS 4.0 variants, the sound track will be provided by the car itself. Porsche expects to start taking orders for the vehicles this summer, and will announce pricing at that time.
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