Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche 718 Boxster – performance and 0-60

Even the meekest Boxster posts a respectable 5.1sec 0-62mph time, with the GTS dipping into the mid-4s

Evo rating
RRP
from £55,800
  • Precision and poise that don’t require huge speeds to enjoy
  • Once you've tried the GTS, there's no going back to the four-pots

Objectively, both the 2-litre and 2.5-litre engines perform better than the low-output flat sixes they replaced. It's their uplift in torque that makes the difference, so while peak power of both engines is hit at 6500rpm, peak torque is available at just 1950rpm, giving you a sense of how the engines feel on the road. Combined with kerb weights as low as 1335kg, no Boxster feels undernourished in performance terms, where previous low-specification six-cylinder Boxsters could.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The respective performance figures reflect this as the standard Boxster will hit 62mph in just 5.1sec (4.9 with PDK), while the S will complete the same feat in just 4.6sec (4.4 PDK). Sport Chrono-equipped PDK cars drop these figures by a further 0.2 of a second thanks to an included launch function.

> Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 2025 review – six-cylinder drop-top is best in class

Flat-six models aren’t actually that much more well endowed than the four-pots, as while they have 394bhp, torque is no stronger than in the standard S, and when combined with a peakier delivery and extra weight, it makes the GTS only 0.2sec quicker when equipped with the equivalent transmission.

The contrast between them is all in the delivery, though, because as mentioned, while no Boxster feels sluggish the crescendo of the GTS’s 4-litre makes it by far the more dynamic engine. The flat-four by comparison feels asthmatic, as while torque is strong from low in the rev range, the throttle still needs to be wide open for quite a stretch of time before the turbos give their all. Until then turbo lag is an issue, leaving you with only flat-four flatulence, which is more air-cooled Beetle than Subaru EJ20.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi R8 V8 (2007 - 2015) review – the Porsche 911’s equal is a bargain super sports car
Audi R8 V8
Reviews

Audi R8 V8 (2007 - 2015) review – the Porsche 911’s equal is a bargain super sports car

The Audi R8’s launch was perhaps one of the biggest moments in 2000s performance motoring. It’s as sweet today as back then
9 Sep 2025
£200k is a lot for a new 911 Turbo so here are some used options
Used Porsche 911 Turbo
News

£200k is a lot for a new 911 Turbo so here are some used options

The new 992.2 Turbo S has supercar-slaying performance and a bona fide supercar price. Pay less for a used one and get very nearly as much performance…
11 Sep 2025
Mercedes-AMG GT 43 2025 review – £100k four-cylinder lacks Affalterbach soul
Mercedes-AMG GT 43
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG GT 43 2025 review – £100k four-cylinder lacks Affalterbach soul

Affalterbach’s flagship GT range now begins with a four-cylinder, lifted straight from the A45 hot hatch. It might have reasonable performance on tap,…
15 Sep 2025