Porsche 718 Boxster, our test - Sports Cars
Will a turbocharged four-cylinder engine match a naturally aspirated six? Will the soundtrack be spoiled? These questions haunt me when I walk around new Porsche Boxster 718.
Equipped with a new engine 4-cylinder boxer turbocharged 300 hp, 718 is a Boxster"Using a curved base temperaMore powerful than ever. From an aesthetic point of view, this convinces me very much. This fourth generation Boxster has reached full stylistic maturity and I must admit that it has nothing to envy the 911 in terms of stage presence by now. In fact, the real difference lies in the new turbo in question.
I porches have a (proven) reputation complex clients and little inclined to change, so I understand how the loss of everyone's beloved six-cylinder aspirated can cause so much doubt and criticism.
For this reason, when I turn the key to the left of the steering column (some things, fortunately, do not change), the concern is great. 2.0 liter wakes up from cough stopping at a dry minimum of sound, it is very dry, but not very harmonious. The driving position is fantastic, as is the quality of the interior: every panel, wheel and centimeter conveys the idea of a very robust car, a whole.
Il steering wheel Inspired by the 918 Spyder, it doesn't cross my mind the way I would like it to, but it is gorgeous and simple, just like analogue instruments with a black background. I need to fold the seat a lot and move forward to find it correct position, but once I found it, I have to admit that the session was more comfortable than I remembered.
The car in our test boasts a very long series of options, which dramatically increases the base price from 58.730 € 70.000 to roughly XNUMX XNUMX. But we'll talk about the price later.
What interests me the most is how the 718 works when it is whipped.
A QUESTION OF BALANCE
Get on Porsche Boxster 718 it's like seeing an old friend again after so many years: you seem to know him forever, even if you've never driven him. From the first kilometers a car appears very balancednot only in the distribution of weight, but also in the ratio of power and power, or in the complex relationship between comfort and sportiness.
Lo steering It has a fantastic load: it is not hyper-straight, but it is quite stiff and, above all, in perfect harmony with the agility of the car. Tuning is the keyword of the Boxster 718, all the elements work together perfectly and you are an integral part of it. The sense of cohesion that this car conveys is rarely found in even the best sports cars. Not bad for being there starting level of the range Porsche. A lever on the steering wheel (already on the 991 mk2) allows you to select different settings for the steering, engine and gearbox. As usual, I opt for the soft suspension setting, which is more “correct” than the soft one, and the Sport + mode of the engine and transmission.
I like cars central enginebecause they constantly remind you how to drive a car. It can't be thrown into sper'in Dio curves like a sports compact: the 718 needs a smooth ride.
Once this is confirmed, Boxster it immediately conquers you and you will never stop driving it. IN powerful brakesi.e. modular (the calipers are the same as the Carrera) allow you to brake to the inside of the curve with extreme precision to accelerate past the apex point. If you accelerate too early, the nose will widen, if the steering is not open enough, the tail will widen. But don't think the Boxster 718 is a drifting car, far from it. There 718 makes you sweat with oversteerby asking you about the swiftness of your right foot and the correct revs. This may be considered a disadvantage for tire smokers, but it is a plus when you find yourself on a mountain road with cold and bumpy asphalt. Rear stability is a guarantee: Even with the most powerful, broken and crooked braking, she is always ready to indulge your abuse. The feeling of trust he conveys is just great.
Some this is not a suitable car for traffic light shots... In an absolute sense, it is not slow (covers 0-100 km / h for 5.1 seconds and touch 275 km / h top speed), but the progressive power delivery and oversized chassis (it can handle 400bhp easily) doesn't make it seem so fast either. Added to this are the gods quite long relationship (I think I hit 120 km / h in a second) and XL tires which gave the boxer a little trouble in close connection. Only when the road starts to open and the straights get longer can I find the right pace to allow the engine to go into the red zone at least a couple of times with the same acceleration.
NOISE PLEASE
The boxer engine emits sounds so dry which almost resembles the blades of a helicopter, at least until you exceed 5.000 rpm. Outside the middle of the tachometer, the engine seems to grind with nails, and at 7.000 to the limiter it whirls and screams, but does not emit melodic notes. Let's say he looks more like a boxer than one GT86 smartwatch, than at Subaru Impreza STi.
Our copy also has it sports exhaust (optional 2.300 euros), which, as I understand it, is mandatory; even if it makes the sound even more artificial. But at least it makes noise, and in any case, you can turn it off with your finger. Exhausting gas leads to interesting popping and rumbling, and when fully accelerated, the sound completely permeates the interior.
If the sound is not the bestpayments will cheer you up. TheI'm stretching of which this four-cylinder turbo engine is capable of this is a round of applause. If it weren't for that torque and minimal lag, I'd say it's a naturally aspirated engine. Power rises as the tachometer needle goes up to the top, and when I hit the limiter at 7.500, I can hardly believe it.
Although when traveling to motorway at 130 km / h in seventh place at 2.100 rpm, you will thank the turbocharged engine's elasticity and human consumption. I don’t think anyone who spends these numbers on a sports car is paying too much attention to fuel consumption, but knowing that at low speeds it is traveling at 12.13 km / l is always nice. Two more notes on soundproofing: the tarpaulin hood is very fast in action and is quite soundproof when closed.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the moment of truth. New Porsche Boxster 718 before the previous one? Yes. It won't have the same melody and harsh throttle response, but it sounds a lot louder and clearer, believe it or not, we're very close. S with 50 hp. and 500 cubic meters. See fuller at all revs and tends to play with you in tight corners, but also from 300 hp stop having fun, although you need to work harder to bring out the best.
Porsche has done so much for make the transition from naturally aspirated to turbo as less traumatic as possibleand the goal seems to be focused. The quality of the car then reached the level that even this indicator is difficult to complain about. That's right, the price. Per 58.000 euro The list prices are far from the real price and, taking into account the prices for “fundamental” options, it is necessary to deposit at least another 10-15 thousand euros into the account. There are quite a few, but the 718 is not the little Porsche it used to be, so if you have a generous enough wallet, rest assured you won't be disappointed.
