2017 Porsche 718 Price, Specs, News & Update: Luxury Car Brand Reboots Boxster, Cayman Models [VIDEO]
The classic Porsche 718 gets a reboot through the luxury car brand's Boxster and Cayman models. Read on to get the latest news and updates on the vehicle's specs, price and release dates.
According to the publication MNR Daily, the first 718 was released during the 1950s. Fitted with a four-cylinder engine, a similar model was later used and won the Le Mans endurance race in 1958.
Now the 718 is making a comeback with its name being attached to the Boxster and Cayman. In a report by Motor Authority, both the Boxster and Cayman will be featuring flat four engines with 2.0-2.5 liter displacements.
Two variants of the 2.0L four-cylinder engine will likely be available. Motoring says this includes the 200kW/350Nm base engine while the 718 Cayman S and the 718 Boxster S will be fitted with a more powerful 230kW/400Nm boxer engine.
Auto Express reports state that the use of flat-four turbo engines was done in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the source believes that six-cylinders may be fitted into the more popular Cayman and Boxster variants.
The Stuttgart-based auto company's Dr. Stefan Wechbach had already hinted during the Frankfurt Motor Show that there was "overwhelming" support for Boxster Spyders and Cayman GT4 fitted with 3.8L engines.
News reports from Auto Week indicate that other than the Boxster and the Cayman, the Macan may be the next in line to getting the powerful boxer engines. Chief executive Matthias Muller believes that the premium engine could generate as much as 395 hp, ideal for fitting into the Macan line.
Porsche has conducted tests to ensure that the turbocharged vehicles run on the same performance level, if not better, than their six-cylinder engine counterparts. With lighter engines, the renovated 718s are expected to have better dynamics.
Car Magazine has provided details on how the 718 Boxster handles when test driven on Canada's Northern Territories. Predictions made by Motoring indicate that the cars will reach speeds of around 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds.
According to the British car publication, the coupe Cayman was traditionally more expensive than the soft-top Boxster. With the 718 model, the Boxster will cost 1500 Euros more than its Cayman counterpart.
Expect to see the two 718s at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016 says Motoring. Sources indicate that the Boxster will hit the market sometime in April 2016 while the Cayman will be made available to the public six months afterwards.