Porsche has announced that both the Boxster and Cayman models will be renamed the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman when their mid-cycle updates debut in 2016. Both models will also get a new turbocharged four-cylinder.
Porsche has announced that both the Boxster and Cayman models will be renamed the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman when their mid-cycle updates debut in 2016. Both models will also get a new turbocharged four-cylinder.
The 718 name has a long history that dates back to 1957, with the original 718, which was the successor to the Porsche 550 Spyder. From 1957 to 1962, the original 718 competed in several races with a flat four-cylinder engine. The 718 took first place in 1959 and 1960 at the legendary Italian Targa Florio race in Sicily. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans race 1958, the 718 RSK with its 142-hp four-cylinder engine scored a class victory.
Related: Porsche Mission E electric car will take on Tesla by 2020
There was a rumor that Porsche would introduce a new 718 that would slot in below the Boxster and Cayman, but instead of introducing a new entry model, both the Boxster and Cayman will get the 718 name.
Porsche has yet to announce the power figures for the turbocharged four-cylinder, but there is a rumor that the base engine will be a 2.0L with 268-hp and 295 lb-ft. of torque. A larger 2.5L for the S models could produce around 360-hp and 347 lb-ft. of torque. There’s also the possibility that a hybrid model could also be introduced.
Lastly the Boxster will be positioned as the more premium model, with a higher price than the Cayman. Both models will be introduced in 2016.
Source: Porsche
