Six-cylinder boost for Porsches
Flat-six power returns to 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS
PORSCHE is reintroducing six-cylinder engines to its entry-level sports cars, the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster.
This is the new GTS 4.0, which uses a mildly detuned version of the naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat six already fitted to the hardcore Cayman GT4. It’s a direct replacement for the existing GTS, which was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, and a riposte to critics of the car’s engine note. However, Porsche hasn’t removed flatfour engines from the range entirely; they will continue to be sold in the standard and S versions of the Boxster and Cayman.
The flat six produces 395bhp in the GTS 4.0, which is 19bhp less than the GT4, and the engine revs up to a 7,800rpm red line. Both coupé and roadster feature a six-speed manual transmission as standard.
The result is that both versions of the GTS manage 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds (0.4 seconds quicker than the 2.5-litre GTS) and they have a top speed of 182mph (2mph faster). The new six-cylinder motor is slightly thirstier than the old unit, though; Porsche claims fuel consumption has dropped from 28.5mpg to 25.9mpg, while CO2 emissions have gone up by 36g/km, to 246g/km.
Aside from the engine, the GTS 4.0 features largely the same upgrades as the previous 718 Boxster and Cayman models. That means Porsche’s PASM adaptive damping system is fitted as standard, as part of a suspension set-up that sits 20mm closer to the road than in S models.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a mechanical limited-slip differential, while the active drivetrain mounts adjust their firmness to offer both precision when cornering and comfort at a cruise.
The GTS models ride on a set of 20-inch alloy wheels with 235mm-section tyres at the front and 265mm items at the back. The wheels house cross-drilled discs gripped by red Porsche calipers, with ceramic composite discs available as an option.
From the outside, the new GTS models are set apart from the rest of the 718 Boxster and Cayman line-ups by their black accents for the spoiler lip, air intakes and rear diffuser, while both the head and tail lamps feature a smoked finish.
The cabin features Alcantara upholstery in the seat centres, on the steering wheel rim, gearlever gaiter and centre armrest. Optional highlight packages allow buyers to finish the seatbelts, rev counter and decorative seams in either yellow or red.
A consequence of the larger, more powerful engine is that prices for the GTS models have increased slightly. The Cayman GTS costs £64,088, and the Boxster is £65,949 – a rise of £2,815 over the outgoing GTS. First deliveries are due in March.
“The GTS 4.0 uses a mildly detuned version of the flat six seen in the hardcore Cayman GT4”