Porsche reveals 718-series GTS 4.0

PORSCHE Cars Australia (PCA) is set to add two new six-cylinder performance variants to its 718-series sportscar range Down Under in the form of the Boxster GTS 4.0 roadster and Cayman GTS 4.0 coupe – semi-skim versions of the forthcoming hyper Spyder and GT4 range-toppers.

Priced from $175,200 plus on-road costs for the Boxster GTS 4.0 and $172,400 for the Cayman equivalent, both variants undercut the higher-output flagship variants by $22,000 and $34,000 respectively but still feature Porsche’s iconic 4.0-litre flat-six petrol engine that was conspicuously absent from the 718 series at its mid-2016 launch here.

The announcement of the Spyder and GT4 saw that omission corrected last year as PCA prepares for their launch early in 2020, and in the just-announced GTS 4.0 guise – arriving mid-year – the naturally aspirated powerplant has been detuned slightly to 294kW of power (-15kW) and 418Nm of torque (-2Nm), driving the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission only.

Both models can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 4.5 seconds on their way to a top speed of 293km/h, with the 4.0-litre engine revving all the way out to 7800rpm, just 200rpm lower than the hardcore Spyder and GT4.

Under the skin is Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) sports suspension, a mechanical limited-slip rear differential and Porsche’s Sports Chrono package which adds active drivetrain mounts, torque vectoring and includes the Porsche Track Precision App.

Both GTS coupe and convertible roll on black 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 235/35 ZR20 tyres at the front and 265/35 ZR20 rears.

Inside, dark Alcantara is aplenty, used on the centre panels of the seats, steering wheel rim, centre console, gear lever and armrests, as well as on the A-pillars and roof lining in the Cayman.

The seats themselves are Porsche’s ‘Sport Seats Plus’ and are embroidered with GTS logos on the headrests.

Opting for the GTS interior package adds another interior colour – Carmine Red – while almost all of the trim elements and centre console receive a carbon makeover.

While the GTS 4.0s sit second on the 718 sporting ladder, Porsche has not skimped on standard equipment, packing in cruise control, heated seats, heated multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, light design package, alarm system with interior surveillance, top tint windscreen, ParkAssist with reversing camera, Porsche Dynamic Light System and auto-dimming mirrors.

Satellite navigation with Porsche Connect, digital radio and Apple CarPlay are also fitted as standard and accessed via the high-resolution 7.0-inch infotainment screen.

A Bose surround-sound system or high-end Burmester unit can fitted as an optional extra along with carbon-ceramic brakes.

In 2019, Porsche sold 89 Boxsters and 156 Caymans, accounting for a combined market share of 4.5 per cent in the $80,000-plus sportscar segment.

2020 Porsche 718 GTS 4.0 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs