For years and years, the Porsche Boxster was seen as the red-headed stepchild of Porsche’s lineup. People would claim it isn’t a real Porsche, how could it be? A mid-engine, two-door Roadster? Blasphemy! Unfortunately, the Boxster shared the same unfair judgement of the 914, 928, and 944 during their time of production; anything but a rear-engine, flat-six, 2+2 just wasn’t taken seriously by Porsche aficionados.
But something happened within the last decade. Air-cooled Porsches had become unobtainable, making the entry into Porsche and its 911 almost impossible for regular folk. People started to take the Boxster and other Porsches more seriously. After all, it might have possessed a smaller displacement, but at least it was still a flat-six engine, Porsche’s gift to automotive kind. Then in 2016, Porsche threw its fans another curveball; removing two cylinders from the Boxster and bolting on a turbocharger. Did Porsche finally lose its mind? A forced induction, flat-four engine? Erroneous! Porsche once again changed the game on its supporters, leaving them in disarray.
Now six years later, people are beginning to understand the method to Porsche’s madness. With the latest iteration of the 718 Boxster, seeing more options and choices than ever, Porsche also debuted a couple new performance variants for the Boxster, the S, GTS, and the 25; Porsche’s tribute to 25 years of the Boxster. Join us as we identify some of the best features the 718 Boxster has to offer.
It's Performance Variant Trims
Over the past 25 years, Porsche has introduced a handful of higher performing Boxsters that have continued to impress those willing to remain open-minded about what a Porsche could be. The 718 is no different, offering three performance-oriented versions of the two-door roadster: S, GTS 4.0, and 25. These are their distinctive differences.
Boxster S
Although receiving a smaller displacement than previous Boxster S’, the 718 is by far the most powerful version to bear the S badging. A 2.5-liter, turbocharged flat-four engine sits behind the passenger, able to pump out 350-hp, while putting 309 lb-ft of torque down to the ground. Capable of going from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds with its manual transmission, and 4.2 with its automatic transmission.
Boxster GTS 4.0
Many would argue the GTS 4.0 it what the 718 Boxster should have originally been designed as. With its 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine, the Boxster reclaims the throaty, glorious sounds a Porsche should make. The GTS creates 394-hp, and 309 lb-ft of torque, while going from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds with its manual, and 3.8 with the automatic gearbox.
Boxster 25
Which brings us to the 25-year anniversary version of the Boxster. Loosely based on the 1993 concept, the Boxster 25 features the same performance options as the GTS, however, comes with exclusive design cues. Such as: gold 20” wheels, loads of new trim, and multiple badges to remind you it’s a special edition Porsche.
The Wheel Options
For some time now, Porsche and the 911 have always seemed to have this robotic feel to their personality. Create the best sports car, rinse, repeat. Think about a Porsche, any Porsche you've witnessed driving on the street. Chances are, its probably black or silver. But more recently, Porsche has been offering their customers more customization options than ever. Especially the wheels. The base Boxster has eight different options for wheels, and sure, some will cost more than others. But when you’re building a Porsche, chances are a couple thousand in extras isn’t going to break the bank.
Porsche has offered virtually every wheel type available for their other two-door options, complete with performance tires, and monochromatic Porsche crests (unless upgraded to center hubcaps) the options are as follows:
18" Boxster Wheels
- "Boxster IV" alloy wheels with minimalist five-spoke design
- Front: 8 x 18 ET 57 wheels with 235/45 ZR 18 tires
- Rear: 9.5 x 18 ET 49 wheels with 265/45 ZR 18 tires
18" Cayman Wheels
- "Cayman III" alloy wheels with open five-spoke design
- Front: 8 x 18 ET 57 wheels with 235/45 ZR 18 tires
- Rear: 9.5 x 18 ET 49 wheels with 265/45 ZR 18 tires
19" Boxster S Wheels
- Flow-formed "Boxster S IV" alloy wheels with five-spoke dual-arm design
- Front: 8 x 19 ET 57 wheels with 235/40 ZR 19 tires
- Rear: 10 x 19 ET 45 wheels with 265/40 ZR 19 tires
19" Cayman S Wheel
- Flow-formed "Cayman S IV" alloy wheels with five-spoke design
- Front: 8 x 19 ET 57 wheels with 235/40 ZR 19 tires
- Rear: 10 x 19 ET 45 wheels with 265/40 ZR 19 tires
20" Carrera S Wheel
- Carrera S alloy wheels with open five-spoke design
- Front: 8J x 20 ET57 wheels with 235/35 R20 tires
- Rear: 10J x 20 ET45 wheels with 265/35 R20 tires
20" Carrera Classic Wheel
- "Carrera Classic II" alloy wheels with ten-spoke design and two-tone finish
- Titanium colored paint finish with machined & polished spoke faces
- Front: 8J x 20 ET 57 wheels with 235/35 R 20 tires
- Rear: 10J x 20 ET 45 wheels with 265/35 R 20 tires
20" Carrera Sport Wheel
- "Carrera Sport" alloy wheels with imposing five-spoke design
- Platinum Silver paint finish with machined and polished spoke edges and outer rim
- Front: 8.5 x 20 ET 57 wheels with 235/35 R 20 tires
- Rear: 10.5 x 20 ET 47 wheels with 265/35 R 20 tires
20" 911 Wheel
- "Carrera Classic II" alloy wheels with ten-spoke design and two-tone finish
- Titanium colored paint finish with machined & polished spoke faces
- Front: 8J x 20 ET 57 wheels with 235/35 R 20 tires
- Rear: 10J x 20 ET 45 wheels with 265/35 R 20 tires
In addition to the range of wheels, Porsche also allows customers to elect for upgraded finishes including: the car’s exterior color, high gloss black, jet black metallic, satin platinum, and satin black.
Its Color Pallette
The Boxster continues its personalization streak with its range of exterior paint jobs, interior colors and materials, and the convertible soft top options. Standard, metallic, and special paint jobs include over 17 different shades, while the convertible soft top receives four entirely separate colors. It’s fairly easy to lose track of time deciphering which is better, color contrasting, or matching.
Interior materials range from partial leather seats, leather package upgrading to trim and dash, a full leather interior with leather seats, and a natural leather interior option with matching seats. The colors available are also bountiful, with 16 different color schemes based on materials chosen.
All in all, the 718 Boxster might not be true to Porsche’s history of rear-engine, a flat-six, or even natural aspiration. But its forced induction, flat-four sibling is more than capable of getting the job done. With its amazing personalization options, you’ll quickly be reminded that it’s not the position or displacement of the engine that matters, but if the badge has a prancing black horse or not.