The Legend is Back: Porsche 718
The Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman race their way to the Philippines.
Lightweight construction, modern design, turbocharged, four-cylinder, mid-mounted engines express the philosophy behind the legendary Porsche 718 model line, which have raced their way to the Archipelago.
PGA Cars, Inc., the official importer and dealer of Porsche vehicles in Philippines, unveiled the models on Wednesday, 26 October 2016. More than 100 guests attended the event held at Whitespace Manila.
The 718 model series is a continuation of the proven four-cylinder concept. Four-cylinder boxer engines have a long tradition at Porsche, and they have enjoyed incredible success ever since their introduction. In the late 1950s, the 718 – a successor to the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder – represented the highest configuration level of the four cylinder boxer engine. The latest example, the 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car, also has a highly-efficient, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine with just 2 liters of displacement.
Martin Limpert - Porsche Asia Pacific, Managing Director
The new two-seat sports cars, which now use the 718 moniker to pay homage to Porsche’s esteemed model line, are now more powerful, yet more fuel efficient. With them, Porsche continues the tradition of the four-cylinder boxer engines that were used in the Porsche 718 mid-engine sports cars that took first place three times between 1959 and 1960 at the legendary Italian Targa Florio race in Sicily, and scored a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1958 with the 142-hp, four-cylinder Porsche 718 RSK.
"Engineered for the sport of it and living up to the principles of Porsche Intelligent Performance."
Boxster 718
The centrepiece of the new model series is the newly developed four-cylinder flat engine with turbocharging. The 718 Boxster develops 300 hp of power from two litres of engine displacement, while the 718 Boxster S attains 350 hp from 2.5 liters of displacement. In the S-model, Porsche also uses a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry.
In its driving dynamics, the new roadster follows in the tracks of the original 718. The car's completely retuned chassis enhances cornering performance. The electro-mechanical steering system is configured to be ten per cent more direct. This makes the 718 Boxster even more agile and easier to steer, both on circuit tracks and in everyday traffic.
Cayman 718
The same new four-cylinder flat engines with turbocharging as in the 718 Boxster are being deployed in the 718 Cayman. As a result, coupé and roadster have an identical engine output for the first time. The entry-level version starts with 300 hp from two liters of displacement. The S model delivers 350 hp with a displacement of 2.5 liters. This represents 25 hp more power compared to the predecessor models with an NEDC fuel consumption of 6.9 to 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers. The tremendous torque of the new engines in the 718 Cayman promises driving fun and agility even at low revs.
The two-liter engine of the 718 Cayman achieves a torque of up to 380 Nm (plus 90 Nm), which is available between 1,950 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The 2.5-liter engine of the 718 Cayman S features a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, technology used exclusively in the 911 Turbo. In the 718 Cayman S, the VTG charger additionally has a waste gate for the first time. It delivers up to 420 Nm (an extra 50 Nm) at engine speeds between 1,900 and 4,500 rpm. This means even better torque across the rev range. The 718 Cayman with PDK and Sport Chrono Package sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds.
Engineered for the sport of it.
The 718 Boxster and the 718 Cayman have finally set foot in the country – now turbocharged, boosting power and efficiency in ways only the celebrated brand from Stuttgart can deliver and are available at Porsche Centre Philippines now. Thank you for having us, PGA Cars, Inc.!
Ex-Automotive Executive
Instagram: @enzoteodoro
