2020 Porsche 718 Boxster

With 2020 insight, Porsche has revised the 718 Boxter with a more powerful 4.0-liter unit which produces nearly 415 hp replacing the older 3.8-litre unit. Everything about the new 718 Spyder is just new from the engine to exterior styling to interior comfort. 

 2020 Porsche 718 Boxter has made a bigger leap over the predecessor in terms of performance and driving dynamics. Given that the previous generation of Boxter was not a proper GT variant.

The new 2020 Porsche 718 Boxter is the best evolution of the Boxter line-up ever. It sounds like a GT3RS with a deep bassy sound which is not offered by any of the naturally aspirated engines in the market today. The 4.0-liter engine is surely more powerful but it lacks the fun of pops and crackles on the overrun state which is the effect of harsher emission norms.

For the first time, ever Porsche has introduced a cylinder deactivation system in any of their engines. 2020 Porsche 718 Boxter deactivates its three cylinders during low or zero throttle input. The system switches between the alternate pair of cylinders every 20 seconds to keep the temperature of the catalytic converter balanced.

Acceleration

Like every other Boxter model, the new 2020 Porsche 718 Boxter also gets the long gear transmission that is the result of emission regulations. Thanks to the torque, you never feel left out in any rev range of the band, 3000 rpm feels like 5000 rpm and 5000 rpm feel like 5000 rpm and loud until 8000 rpm where the red line starts. Quite a GT3 experience for a baby 911. 

What we felt lacking was the upright acceleration experience, despite the bump of over 40 bhp over the Boxster but there is a similar 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. Long gear ratios are a factor for the timings but the adrenalin rush you get as you climb post 3000 rpm. 2020 Porsche 718 Boxter is as brutal as its GT4 sibling in terms of acceleration and definitely gives a tough challenge to the competitors in the segment.

Ride and Handling

Porsche 718 Boxter borrows a lot of underpinnings from the 911 GT3 which gives it very aggressive and precise handling. The car feels very small and incredibly wild, the front end of the car is very eager yet easy to place into the corners. Go hard into the corner and the smaller front splitter paired with retractable rear wing produces more downforce at the rear axle. Ride quality is firm and planted weather you are cruising the highway or burning the rubber on a track, Boxter does not feel any less than a GT4 car.

Braking

With power comes responsibility and Porsche knows this very well, that is why they have provided the new 718 Boxter with carbon-ceramic disc brakes which makes the car come to a complete halt in a matter of seconds. These optional carbon-ceramic brakes are as big as alloy wheel of any small hatchback which produces a relatively higher rate of braking energy as compared to standard steel rotors with less heat and brake dust of course.

PASM(Porsche Active Stability Management) helps the car keep a stable character even during hard braking and prevents the nose from diving into the ground. Unlike the GT4 there is no front splitter on the Boxter variant which helps less lift during hard acceleration and deceleration.

With a thrifty 4.0-liter 6-cylinder horizontal engine inside, the Porsche 718 Boxter gives excellent fuel economy, at least considering the competition. The 6-speed manual transmission further adds more to the efficiency of the engine.

As expected from a sports car, the interiors of the new 718 Boxter are also inspired by a race-going track car with racing bucket seats in the front wrapped in leather and Alcantara. The seats are made out of carbon fiber kevlar shell to give it more rigidity while keeping the weight to a bare minimum. 

Seating and Comfort

The low slung driving position is best for track days and does not hinder any of the outside vision. The front windshield is wide and gives a very clear view of what lies ahead. Roll down the manual rooftop and sky is the limit, the exhaust sound of the 6-cylinder engine rings in ears like a melodious chorus

Infotainment features

• Tilt/telescopic steering column
• automatic climate control 
• 6-speaker audio with CD 
• SiriusXM and HD Radio 
• Porsche Communications Management system and front/rear Park Assist
•  Apple CarPlay as standard, however, the system lacks Android Auto support 
• Optional Bose or Burmester surround sound system.

The new 718 Boxter looks similar to its predecessor in terms of styling and bodyline. The front fascia has a similar outlook to it as the previous generation however, there are more aggressive styling components. The front angle of the new 718 Boxter gives a very aggressive look contemplated with the new LED headlights and bigger air dams in bumper to allow more air into the cooling unit of the engine. There are no changes in the exterior dimensions of the new 718 Boxter, it still looks cute, small and handles like a Porsche. 

Porsche 718 Boxter maintains the spirit of a convertible road car. It does not focus a lot on the cargo and practicality as compared to a regular model. There is not much space in terms of cargo capacity in Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and only hauls 9.7 cubic ft while Mercedes Benz GT roadster offers the maximum cargo space of 10.1 cubic ft.

New Porsche 718 Boxter has not been tested by the safety and reliability authorities yet which does not makes any difference in the character about how safe the car is. Porsche has constructed the chassis of the new 718 Boxter with a mix of strong and tensile alloys such as aluminum and steel which also help in reducing the weight and strengthen the chassis.

 Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Pretensioners
• Back-Up Camera

 Porsche 718 Boxter VS BMW M4

Porsche 718 Boxter goes nose lengths when compared with its most hardcore rival, the BMW M4. Both of the sport coupes are hardcore versions of their normal trims. BMW is more agile whereas Porsche is more raw and aggressive on the dynamic front. With a smaller wheelbase and lightweight chassis Porsche Boxter is a better forefront as the track focused vehicle. But if you want your kids to enjoy the thrill of performance along with you then, BMW M4 is the best bet as it seats 4 inside. 

Porsche 718 Boxter VS Corvette Z06

The battle between Germans and American have been the most iconic one. Corvette offers a big bore V8 whereas Porsche is stuck at 6-cylinders, which are as fast as V8. Porsche Boxter is a more track focused model whereas you can daily drive the Z06. The roar of 8-cylinders and 650 horses to back you up, Z06 is a better buy if you want a faster car. But, if you regularly visit the local tracks then Cayman is the door you must choose.

2020 Porsche 718 Spyder in its latest iteration is a perfect sports car perfected further. There is pure simplicity in the driving ergonomics that is somehow very refreshing in this age. The flat 6 under the shell is quite capable of pondering around town, giving out good gas mileage and cocooning its occupants in the luxury of a leather laid cockpit with a tone of goodies to keep you entertained over long journeys. But the mesmerizing part is how all of this changes when the dial is turned to one of the maniacal modes and it becomes a deadly track monster