2017 Porsche 718 Boxster
New for 2017
Along with the new “718” designation, the Boxster gets a thorough update including new engines, revised styling, and other features.
A Smarter Sports Car
The Porsche Boxster debuted 20 years ago as a throwback to the simple, mid-engined roadsters Porsche built in its early days. Now, Porsche is moving the Boxster into the future by looking back. The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster borrows a name from the classic 718 models of the 1950s and early 1960s, and like that model, it’s small and agile. With a switch to turbocharged four-cylinder engines and tech features like adaptive suspension, the 718 Boxster is thoroughly modern, though.
Powertrains and Performance
The biggest change for the updated Boxster is a new lineup of turbocharged four-cylinder engines, bringing the mid-engined roadster closer in spirit to the classic 718 racers it’s named after.
The base 718 Boxster gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat four, with 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the 718 Boxster S gets a 2.5-liter flat four with a variable-geometry turbo, which produces 350 hp and 309 lb-ft. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a PDK dual-clutch automated transmission is available as an option.
The new engines are smaller than the flat sixes offered in previous versions of the Boxster, but that doesn’t mean the new versions are slower. With the PDK and optional Sport Chrono Package (the fastest configuration available), the 718 Boxster will do 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 170 mph. That’s 0.7 second and 8 mph faster than the previous Boxster. The 718 Boxster S will do 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 177 mph, which is 0.5 second and 5 mph faster than before.
The Boxster has always been about more than just straight-line performance, though. So to keep its reflexes sharp, Porsche endowed the 718 with completely retuned suspension and tweaked electric power steering that Porsche claims is 10 percent more responsive. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is also available as an option, bringing a lower ride height and adjustability that balances ride comfort and performance.
Features and Trims
The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster is a two-door, two-seat convertible. If you prefer a hardtop, Porsche also offers the mechanically identical 718 Cayman.
Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels; Porsche Communication Management infotainment system; Bluetooth®; Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights; 4.6-inch TFT instrument-cluster display; sport seats; leather trim for the steering wheel; shifter; and door trim; and other features.
Optional equipment includes voice-controlled navigation, the Sport Chrono Package, PASM active suspension system, Porsche Dynamic Lighting System, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, leather seat trim, Bose® and Burmester® premium sound systems, and a long list of options for customizing interior and exterior trim.
Design
To emphasize the new car’s sharpened handling and powertrains, Porsche also gave the 718 Boxster a visual makeover. It maintains the already-good looks of the previous Boxster, with enough changes to highlight the model’s newness.
The front fascia is re-sculpted to give the Boxster a wider, more muscular look, Porsche says. There are wider front air intakes, and redesigned headlights with Porsche’s new four-point LED daytime running light signature. The side sills, side air intakes, and door handles are also redesigned for a sleeker look. At the back, there are new LED taillights with a decorative strip connecting them, making the Boxster look much more distinctive from this angle.
The interior remains elegant and driver-focused, but also gets a handful of changes. There’s a new instrument panel meant to accommodate the Porsche Communication Management system, and the three-instrument gauge cluster includes a 4.6-inch TFT display element. Everything else is exactly where you need it to be, including redundant controls on the three-spoke steering wheel, and an array of buttons on the raised center console behind the shifter.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, Porsche Side Impact Protection System with integral thorax and head airbags, and dual front and knee airbags. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, and park assist.
Bottom Line
The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster nods to Porsche’s illustrious past, while still looking ahead.
Be sure to contact us online or visit us at Porsche Silver Spring to schedule a test drive.
Image: Porsche