Geneva show: Porsche confirms four-pot turbo Boxster

PORSCHE has confirmed that its Boxster soft-top sportscar will drop two cylinders from its horizontally opposed six-cylinder engines, opting instead for turbocharged flat-four powertrains.

Kicking off from $113,100 before on-road costs, the new Boxster is powered by a 220kW 2.0-litre engine, which replaces the previous 2.7-litre naturally-aspirated six-pot, while the $143,400 Boxster S gets a 2.5-litre version producing 257kW in place of the 3.2-litre flat six.

A first look at the facelifted model accompanies the announcement, revealing the subtly evolved sports convertible which will make its official public debut at the Geneva motor show in early March, ahead of a local arrival about mid-2016.

Despite the downsize, power is up for both variants with an extra 25kW each, while torque has also increased by 100Nm to 380Nm for the 2.0-litre and another 60Nm to 420Nm for the S.

Acceleration has also improved with the Boxster getting to 100km/h from standstill in 4.7 seconds – 0.8 seconds faster than its predecessor when fitted with an automatic transmission and Sport Chrono Package.

With the same equipment, the Boxster S does the dash in 4.2 seconds – 0.6 seconds quicker than the six-cylinder version.

With a sturdy hairnet, Boxster owners can crack a top speed of 275km/h or 10km/h faster when in the Boxster S.

Porsche says the loss of two cylinders is in the name of efficiency and emissions reduction, and when combined with the company's PDK automatic transmission, has resulted in entry level versions using a litre less of fuel per 100km at 6.9L/100km, while the Boxster S is 0.9L/100km less thirsty at 7.3L/100km.

Those figures rise to 7.4L/100km and 8.1L/100km respectively when paired with the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

CO2 emissions have fallen to between 168g/km and 158g/km for the more affordable version or between 184g/km and 167g/km for the hottest Boxster.

While the model continues to use the Boxster name, its numbering system typical to all Porsche models has taken a deviation, breaking the 98-prefix of the previous three generations, and instead adopts a 718 code.

Porsche says the shift is a nod to the Targa Forio and Le Mans-conquering 718s of the 1950s and 1960s, which was the last car from the high-performance marque to use a flat-four engine.

Both versions of 718 Boxster will be offered as either a standard six-speed manual or with the Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) six-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission, although pricing to upgrade has not yet been provided.

Optioning the auto in the previous 981 Boxster added $5300 to the asking price.

The new Boxster has a sharper and sportier chassis according to the car-maker, with an optional 'Minus ten and minus 20' Porsche Active Suspension Management system, that allows the ride-height to be lowered 10mm or an additional 10mm when fitted to the Boxster S.

The Sport Chrono Package brings three switchable Normal, Sport and Sport Plus modes, which change the responsiveness of engine and transmissions.

Porsche Communication Management with central touchscreen, navigation, various phone and media connectivity, voice control and 110-watt sound system is standard, but can be upgraded to the optional Connect Plus with Apple CarPlay.

Nineteen-inch wheels are standard fare but can be upgraded to 20-inch rims for the Boxster S. Headlights are Xenon with LED daytime running lights and Dynamic Light System as standard, but can be optioned with all-LED versions.

Auto-dimming mirrors and digital radio also come as part of the standard equipment. Final and full specifications are expected closer to the new Boxster's arrival later this year.

No mention is made of the Boxster's Cayman twin, which has shared much of the convertible's underpinnings and equipment, but housed it in a fixed-top coupe package.

Last year the company revealed that its iconic 911 would adopt an all-turbo line-up of engines, with only the hardcore RS sticking with natural aspiration for its induction.

2016 Porsche Boxster pricing*

Boxster	$113,100
Boxster S	$143,400

*Excludes on-road costs