Once I first acquired into Porsche’s smallest providing, the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, I used to be instantly stunned by how previous it felt. A seven-inch infotainment, dozens of buttons, mostly-analog gauges and wired-only Apple CarPlay transport you again to a time that existed earlier than COVID and the Biden Administration. Put merely, the automotive feels historic on the within, and years behind the opposite Porsches I’ve pushed. I used to be a bit disenchanted, however after about 5 minutes behind the small-diameter steering wheels, all of these points fell by the wayside.
You see, the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 isn’t concerning the inside facilities and expertise. In no way. It’s actually all about the way it drives and the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six motor positioned inches behind your head. They are saying time heals all wounds, however in reality, that’s what this engine does.
Full Disclosure: Porsche lent me this 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 with a full tank of fuel to do with as I happy for a protracted weekend within the Los Angeles space.
I’ve pushed nearly each Porsche the corporate makes proper now, and for probably the most half they’re filled with cutting-edge expertise, smaller turbocharged engines and even electrical energy, and that’s the place the 718 Boxster – particularly the GTS 4.0 – stands alone. Actually, this motor is an enormous departure from what Porsche had been doing over the previous half-decade or so – particularly within the 718 lineup. Once they first debuted, Porsche dropped the naturally aspirated flat-sixes of the earlier technology for turbocharged 2.0- and a couple of.5-liter flat-fours – even within the GTS.
Effectively, after a short time sufficient folks complained and Porsche dropped the huge 4.0-liter H6 you see right here that places out 393 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. Certain, it’s not the identical motor you get in GT3 vehicles, however it’s nonetheless rattling good with its 7,800-RPM redline and 182 mph prime pace. After all, the sturdy efficiency is all effectively and good, however the actual purpose you purchase a GTS 4.0 is to hearken to the motor’s wonderful sound. It’s a sound that makes up for the quick this automotive nonetheless has a CD participant and the 4.3-inch gauge cluster LCD display is pixilated.
Even past the engine although, the best way this automotive takes a nook is just about second to none. I’m positive you’ve heard up to now about how nothing handles like a Porsche, and you are feeling so linked, and also you get the “fizz”, and yada yada yada. Effectively, I’m right here to inform you it isn’t hyperbole. I’ve pushed loads of vehicles throughout my tenure at Jalopnik, and I’ve but to drive one that’s this a lot enjoyable within the corners. The steering is completely weighted for each canyon carving and driving round city. It corners extremely flat, and it has a ton of grip. Nonetheless, the second you disable a few of the digital nannies you may really feel the again need to come out to play. Not an excessive amount of although – simply the correct quantity. It corners so effectively you received’t give a shit concerning the 5 clean buttons on to your proper or the actual fact there’s nowhere to essentially put your telephone.
If I’ve only one downside with the drivetrain, it’s the gearing. My tester was fitted with Porsche’s iconic PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Its operation was silky clean, blasting off shifts up and down the seven speeds with a really satisfying ease. The aluminum wheel-mounted paddles had been additionally a pleasure to make use of, and when you go away it in automated mode, it one way or the other is aware of the fitting gear to be in at each second. That is all to say the gearbox’s operation is incredible. The gearing inside although… not nice. It’s SUPER LONG, and I perceive why Porsche did this from a gas economic system standpoint (I averaged about 30 mph on the freeway – not dangerous), however second gear takes you all the best way to 75 and third places you into the triple digits. I usually wouldn’t care that a lot, however once you need to hear that 4.0-liter flat-six close to redline, you’ve acquired to be carrying some tremendous massive pace to do it. Fortunately, for on a regular basis driving, the 309 lb-ft of torque the motor produces is greater than sufficient to get going – even at low RMPs. Nonetheless, the transmission’s motion is so good you received’t actually care about that or the actual fact its PRND gear shifter takes up invaluable room on the middle console.
Other than how the 718 drives, the opposite massive factor that actually stands proud to me is how effectively it’s packaged for such a small automotive. It has two trunks for Christ’s sake. It has 4.4 cubic ft of baggage area behind the mid-mounted motor (I don’t know the place the engine is on this automotive, it is mindless that there’s this a lot room) and a further 5.2 cubic ft of area within the frunk. That quantity of room proved to be far more than sufficient for 2 carry-on suitcases, two backpacks and another odds and ends. It was actually spectacular, and I actually don’t understand how Porsche engineers had been in a position to pull this off. You’ll be able to actually use this factor as your each day if you’re so inclined. The trunk area is so incredible that you’ll not care that your drinks barely keep in place utilizing the 718’s pop-out cupholders.
The Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is a proof of idea for the concept driving can nonetheless matter in trendy vehicles. In loads of methods, the 718 Boxster is the final of its type – the final of the really analog sports activities vehicles the place driving issues above all else. Quickly, it’s going to get replaced with an electrical sports activities automotive, and I’m positive that’ll be nice, however it’s going to lose a ton of the attraction of the automotive it replaces. Though loads of the 718 Boxster can hint its roots again to a automotive that got here out again in 2012, it doesn’t matter. This automotive is for individuals who love driving above all else, and that’s one thing that’s getting exceedingly uncommon nowadays.
