Porsche launches new 718 Boxster in Sri Lanka
by Pramod de Silva
 Porsche, together with its sole agent in Sri Lanka for the past two
decades Euro Cars, launched the all-new 718 Boxster in Colombo last
week. It turns out that the new name of this car is a very old one.
Between 1957 and 1962, Porsche raced the 4-cylinder 718 with great
success, including class wins at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in
1958 and 1961.
 Even though the car is all-new, with only the windshield,
top, and luggage compartment lid carrying over from the old Boxster, the
2017 Boxster is instantly recognizable as a Porsche Boxster.
This is now the second cheapest Porsche you can buy anywhere in the
world, with the first place going to the 718's new twin brother 718
Cayman. Porsche has ditched the old naturally aspirated six cylinder
power plant in favour of a new four cylinder turbocharged 2.0 litre
296bhp unit for the base version (it is actually more powerful and more
frugal than the outgoing six cylinder) and a 2.5 litre for the S
Version.
The design is similar in layout to a Subaru Impreza's engine,
but this engine develops 350hp and knocks off 0-100 Kmph in as little as
4.2 seconds if you opt for the PDK dual-clutch gearbox and Sport Chrono
pack. However, reviewers say that the four-cylinders cannot quite match
the six cylinders in terms of aural quality, even though the 'Sport'
button can almost take you there.
|
When compared to the previous generation, both models gain
35 hp and up to 13 per cent lower consumption. The 718
Boxster is driven by a newly developed, 2-litre, 300 hp
engine with innovative turbocharging. |
|
20 years after the first Boxster made its debut, Porsche is
introducing a new model designation. The models are now
known as the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S. |
For the purists out there, a six-speed manual transmission is
available but many will opt for the PDK auto transmission (Porsche
Doppelkupplung) which features both automatic and manual shifting modes.
Efficiency has improved, the PDK base Boxster needing 6.9 litres to
cover 100km and the PDK S 7.3 litres, savings of one litre and 0.9
litres respectively over the old flax six engines. A Cayman Coupe
version is also available if you do not like the fabric folding top,
which can fold into the rear in just nine seconds at any speed.
Oh, the Boxster (from "Boxer" engine and "Roadster") cars are mid-engined,
so there are two trunks - in the front and rear to give a total of 275
litres, but you still to have pack rather efficiently. The PDK delivers
extremely quick gear changes with virtually no power interruption to the
rear wheels - there is no need to guess that this Porsche is a rear
wheel drive beauty. It is not without its balkiness around town at slow
speeds but once out on the open roads, it works extremely efficiently.
Steering is 10% quicker to react to the driver's input than before.
|
It is remarkable that Porsche’s engineers have managed to
achieve such outstanding increases in power, acceleration
and torque from the newly designed four-cylinder engine.
Especially as these performance enhancements come with a
lower weight and a substantial improvement in efficiency.. |
|
When equipped with Porsche PDK and Sport Chrono Package, the
new 718 Boxster accelerates from zero to 100 km/hr in 4.7
seconds, whilst the S-version achieves the same in 4.2
seconds. The top speed for the base model is 275 km/ hr; its
bigger sibling tops out at 285km/hr. |
You can specify a whole host of options including 18" to 20" rims,
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) that lowers the cars by 10
mm, Blind Spot warning, Seat Ventilation, Bose Surround Sound System and
14-way power sport seats. All cars come with a stop-start function. Add
in the Sport Chrono pack, which is easily identified by the analogue lap
timer clock on the dash top, and the suspension drops by 20mm. This
option also provides more choice for the way the suspension, throttle
and PDK gearbox are tuned. One very entertaining aspect of the
combination of stop/start and the PDK is that the engine shuts off while
you are still moving. As you approach a stop the engine shuts down and
you roll to a stop in complete silence. The interior is complete with a
cozy cabin, snug steering wheel, premium feel, analog primary gauges,
and an array of buttons cockpit-style. You can easily use this is an
everyday car (as long as only two people want to go on a journey),
thanks to good ergonomics, fuel economy and gracious handling. |
