Porsche has announced that the driver-focused GTS versions of its 718 Boxster and Cayman twins will drop the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine in favour of the glorious 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six from the 718 Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder.
400hp spec
Prior to the 2020MY, the Cayman GTS and the Boxster GTS used a 365hp/420Nm (430Nm in PDK cars) derivation of the same 2.5-litre engine found in the 350hp/420Nm 718 S models. This displeased Porsche fans and many other petrolheads, as the flat-four - while torque-rich and a good engine, as four-cylinder turbos go - never sounded like the Boxster and Cayman models pre-718.
Now, though, the GTS cars gain the 4.0-litre boxer engine from the GT4/Spyder to revive some of that six-cylinder wonder of old. It's detuned from its application in the range-topping 718s, where it makes 420hp, but a nice, round 400hp is not to be sniffed at. With these two machines to be known as the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, they represent more everyday-useable sports cars than their siblings sitting higher up the tree.
Top-level chassis kit
The performance of the GTS 4.0 models remains highly impressive. The 0-100km/h sprint takes 4.5 seconds and they have a top speed of 293km/h. While not quite as focused in the chassis department as the GT4 and Spyder, they still have an enviable repertoire of technology to fall back upon - such as Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sports suspension with a 20mm-lower ride height, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical limited-slip differential, the Sport Chrono Package with Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts (PADM) and the upgraded Porsche Track Precision App too, which shows performance-related data on the main visual display while the car is in circuit use and then records said data for later analysis.
The peak power of 400hp comes on song at a slightly higher 7,800rpm than in the GT4/Spyder, where the maximum 425hp hits at 7,600rpm. Aiding this lofty horsepower delivery in the GTS 4.0 twins is the standard-fit sports exhaust system, which should make the most of the flat-six's soundtrack. This has a twin-exit at the back, again like the GT4/Spyder, but this time sitting behind a contrasting black rear-lower section of the bodywork that was specially developed for the GTS models.
As in the GT4/Spyder, the GTS 4.0's engine can switch off one of its two cylinder banks when it needs to, thanks to Adaptive Cylinder Control. This means your Porsche becomes a three-cylinder machine for brief periods of time, in order to save a bit of fuel. As a result, the new cars come with a 10.8 litres/100km (25.9mpg) WLTP-ratified economy figure, as well as NEDC-equivalent CO2 emissions of 246g/km. Not the greenest cars, then, of course, but still decent returns for 400hp mid-engined vehicles such as these.
Alcantara-enhanced cabin
Both 718 GTS 4.0 models ride on 20-inch light-alloy wheels finished in black and wrapped in high-performance tyres of 235/35 ZR20 front, 265/35 ZR20 rear dimensions. Cross-drilled brake discs with red callipers are fitted as standard, although the yellow-calliper spec Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is an option. On the outside, trademark Porsche GTS dark detailing can be spotted on the rear spoilers, the air intakes of the Sport Design front aprons, the tinted front and rear light lenses and the bespoke lower-rear bumpers of both cars. Inside, there's Alcantara and Sports Seats Plus, while an optional interior package will clothe bits of the cabin of the GTS pair in either Carmine Red or Crayon - look for it on the rev counter, seat belts, the contrast stitching and also the floor mats. Carbon-fibre trim and Porsche Communication Management (PCM) satnav and infotainment round out the interior specs.
Both cars are on sale right now and should be in the Porsche Centre Dublin from March of this year. The 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is priced from around €120,145 and the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 will start at €123,630.