BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Porsche Cayman and Boxster GTS

Porsche has upped the ante of its Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe by releasing the first GTS versions of both mid-engined sports cars.

Due to debut at the Beijing motor show on April 20 before being released in Australia in August, the Boxster GTS will be priced at $146,000, while the Cayman GTS will cost $161,400.

That makes the new Boxster and Cayman flagships a respective $19,500 and $21,500 more expensive than the S models upon which they’re based.

However, both variants also deliver more performance, more focussed dynamics and more aggressive styling.

Both GTS models are powered by cleaner (Euro 6 emissions-compliant) and higher-output (up 11kW and 10Nm) 3.4-litre flat six engines, matched to six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic transmissions.

The Boxster GTS delivers 243kW, while the Cayman GTS offers 250kW. Porsche says that in Sport Plus mode with launch control (both models come standard with the Sport Chrono package), the former can hit 100km/h in 4.7 seconds and the latter does it in 4.6, making both models three-tenths quicker to 100km/h.

In standard manual form the GTS is the first Boxster to hit a claimed top speed of more than 280km/h, while the Cayman GTS has a 285km/h top speed.

However, fuel consumption increases by 0.2L/100km to 8.2L/100km (PDK) and 9.0L/100km (manual).

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is also standard in both cars, as are 235/35 front and 265/35 rear tyres on 20-inch Carrera S wheels.

Visually, the new mid-engined GTS models score blackened bi-xenon headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) as standard and exterior ‘Porsche GTS’ lettering in “silky black gloss”.

Inside, both two-seaters come with sports seats, leather interiors and, in GTS tradition, a range of additional Alcantara highlights.

Porsche’s latest ‘Gran Turismo Sport’ models bring the Boxster and Cayman in line with the 911, Panamera and Cayenne, all of which are available in GTS form. Reintroduced with the Cayenne in 2007, the GTS nameplate dates back to the 904 Carrera GTS road-registerable race car of 1963.