TRANSMISSION, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION

As we've discussed elsewhere in this issue of 911 & Porsche World, PDK dualclutch semi-automatic transmission is massively popular with today's Porsche buyers, and so it proved with the 718 Boxster GTS. The on-paper figures afford PDK owners pub bragging rights, but in the real world, the difference is unnoticeable anywhere other than time trials — with a six-speed manual gearbox managing the GTS'S 317lb-ft torque, 62mph is reached from rest in 4.6 seconds. The time is reduced to 4.3 seconds with the seven-speed PDK unit installed and 4.1 seconds when PDK is paired with active Sport Chrono. On the topic of fine margins, a manual-equipped 718 Boxster GTS is only 0.2 seconds slower than a 981 Cayman GT4 (only available with a six-speed stick shift) in the benchmark zero-to-60mph sprint test.

Top speed of 180mph is unaffected by transmission type, although CO2 output is slightly higher when operating the manual, equating to 205 g/km versus PDK'S 186 g/km. You might think this barely deserves a mention, but dropping below 200 g/km allows the PDK car to sit in a lower road tax bracket. Plus, drivers are becoming increasingly concerned with the impact of their carbon footprint. Food for thought, though it's not likely to sway those of you who are thinking about buying a manual 718 Boxster GTS for an attack of your local backroads. It's worth us mentioning PDK attracted a £2,303 premium on the GTS'S individual equipment list and comes complete with a switchable automatic start/stop function (including coasting).

Four-piston calipers with 330mm (front) and 299mm (rear) discs are standard equipment. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) were a whopping £5,177 cost option. Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanically locking rear differential comes as stock spec, while Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), a 10mm lowered ride height (20mm was available for an additional £168) and twenty-inch satin black Carrera S wheels also come as standard, the latter wrapped in Michelin 235/35 (front) and 263/35 (rear) N-rated tyres.