PORSCHE TO RETALIATE WITH THREE HOT 718S
Porsche will fire a warning shot at its home-town rival Mercedes-AMG and its plans for a new dedicated sports car model with the launch of up to three new 718 variants.
The trio of models comprises the 718 Boxster Spyder, 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Cayman R. Their introductions are planned to coincide with a mid-life facelift for the current 718 Boxster and Cayman models, which have been sold exclusively with the choice of either a turbocharged 2.0-litre or turbocharged 2.5-litre version of the company’s flat-four engine since they joined the line-up in 2016.
Rumours suggest that each could adopt a detuned version of the naturally aspirated 4.0-litre unit used by the 911 GT3, producing 500hp. However, the 718 Boxster Spyder’s output is expected to be pegged to around 420hp. By comparison, the previous Boxster Spyder was powered by a 370hp 3.8-litre flat six.
The new 718 Boxster Spyder is also set to benefit from a series of weight-saving measures, including the deletion of some sound-deadening material used within the bodyshell. Like before, the new version receives a simple fabric roof assembly conceived to weigh less than the fully automatic structure of the standard 718 Boxster.
Further modifications include a new front bumper assembly with larger cooling ducts, a new engine cover with two prominent buttresses, a larger rear wing and a new rear bumper housing a reworked diffuser with integrated tailpipes either side of the central element.