The New Cayman and Boxster GTS are Here to Satisfy Your Mid-Engine Needs
If the 911 is too big literally or financially, one of these new GTS models may be just the ticket to Porsche fun for you. Check out the new 718 GTS models unveiled at the LA Auto Show.
Even more beautiful in person
Presenting to you all the new 718 GTS models that are now front and center inside Petree Hall at the LA Auto Show. For 2018 the lithe coupe and convertible receive more horsepower and torque as well as Porsche's sport exhaust system and performance gear torque vectoring. The new Cayman GTS has a 2.5-liter turbo flat four that has taken over duty from an NA 3.5-liter flat-six. The changes to the turbo system and a new intake system provide the Cayman GTS with 25 more brake horsepower and the Boxster GTS 35 more over their predecessors.
More power is always a good thing
The tweaked engines will send power through a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed dual clutch automatic by way of a mechanical rear differential and electronically controlled torque vectoring to the rear wheels. The downsizing of the engine from a six to a four with forced induction has enabled Porsche to effectively raise the performance of the cars without any real changes to the fuel consumption and emissions. In fact, the dual clutch automatic and Sport Chrono Package, the 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS are capable of hitting 62 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The top speed for this pair of new GTS cars is at a lovely 180 mph which is 4 mph faster than the old models.
Setting models apart
Differentiating the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman GTS from their normal and less powerful counterparts are a series of subtle changes. Those accents include an altered front bumper, tinted headlights and taillights, black centered tailpipes and a more prominent diffuser. At the base of the doors, there are black GTS badges, 20-inch alloy wheels are standard and are finished in satin black. The ride height is lowered by 10mm as part of the chassis changes that come from the adoption of the Active Suspension Management system.
Is he hinting about the 911 hybrid and Mission E?
While we covered why Porsche made the decision to drop down in engine size from six to four, some are worried that the brand could drop even lower but Michael Steiner, member of the executive board for research and development of Porsche gave this to quell any fears: “We could do more downsizing, even below 2.0-liters, but if you would like to have good performance and very precise and fast reaction to any movement of the gas pedal, you need torque, not only power,” Steiner said, adding that hybridization would be a solution for supplying torque. “At some point, it would make no more sense to downsize the combustion engine and put more and more electric energy into the vehicle. You come to the point where it doesn’t make sense anymore, so we would do a full electric.”
Will you take the GTS or take what's behind door #3?
Orders for the new 718 GTS models are being taken now with deliveries coming in early 2018. MSRP starts the Cayman GTS at $79,8000 and the Boxster GTS at $81,900 with the bump in price reflecting that these cars are the sharpest offerings in their line-up at present. Note that I say present since Porsche has already talked openly about a GT4 718 Cayman that would come with a manual transmission and a flat-six engine.
If these GTS models have piqued your interest here is the link to request more info from Porsche.
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