Porsche's first four-pot Boxster arrives

For the first time in its 20-year history, the Boxster is powered by a four-cylinder boxer engine, and for the first time since the Cayman arrived a decade ago, the roadster is more expensive than its mid-engined coupe cousin.

However, because they take advantage of turbocharging, the new 2.0-litre Boxster and 2.5-litre Boxster S convertibles are more powerful yet use less fuel than the models they replace.

Faster, smarter and more efficient, the new 718 (pronounced 'seven eighteen') Boxster arrives in Australia this week without six-cylinder engines, but brings new exterior and interior designs and prices ranging from $113,100 to $145,590 plus on-road costs.

Although that represents a price increase of $8400 for the entry-level car (previously $104,700 for the naturally-aspirated 2.7-litre six), Porsche Cars Australia's Public Relations Manager, Paul Ellis, says that won't harm the Boxster's popularity – nor will the switch to smaller engines with fewer cylinders.

"It won't be an issue for customers," stated Ellis. "The car's popularity will be determined by how it drives. Does it feel like Porsche, does it look like a Porsche, does it drive like Porsche, does it make you smile like a Porsche?

"If it does, then it doesn't really matter too much how it delivers that, as long as the brand delivers on its promise."

The new model brings an evolved look to the table, providing the vehicle with more machismo than previously. Although technically the 718 Boxster is a major facelift – because it rides on the same platform as before – 80 per cent of the car's body panels are new, with only the bonnet, windscreen and boot lid carrying over.

"Right now, I think it's the best-looking Porsche sports car we have. It's really dynamic," opined Ellis.

Power comes from a pair of all-new four-cylinder horizontally-opposed engines, both of which utilise direct-injection, turbocharging and water-to-air intercooling. The entry-level Boxster pumps out 220kW and 380Nm -- an increase of 25kW and 100Nm over its six-cylinder predecessor.

Once spooled up, its Borg Warner turbocharger generates 2.4 bar of pressure and with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch auto ($4990) and Sports Chrono package ($4990) with launch control, it can accelerate to 100km/h in a claimed 4.7 seconds.

Both engines have a 9.5:1 compression ratio and the Boxster S (from $143,400) gets a larger 2.5-litre engine that pumps out 257kW and 420Nm -- a rise of 26kW and 60Nm over its six-cylinder predecessor.

The Boxster S's turbo also makes use of a VTG (variable turbine geometry), which along with the 911 Turbo makes Porsche the only manufacturer to employs the technology in a production petrol engine.

The extra mumbo the larger engine generates and the fitment of PDK and Sports Chrono helps propel it to 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds (claimed) -- almost a full second (0.8sec) faster than its predecessor and as quick as many supercars only a decade ago.

And if you happen to be on the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory, you'll find top speeds are 275km/h and 285km/h for the new Boxster and Boxster S accordingly.

Despite the bump in performance, Porsche claims it has improved fuel economy by up to 13 per cent with its new compact rear-wheel drive two-seat roadster. Fuel efficiency is rated at a respective 6.9L/100km and 7.3L/100km with the PDK auto.

Both engines can be ordered with six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearboxes, the latter adding $4995 (although it only comes to $1333 on the entry-level Boxster because it slides under the luxury car tax 'green vehicle' threshold of 7.0L/100km).

Porsche expects around 90 per cent of buyers to choose the PDK automatic box.

There are 14 paint colours, four of which are solid – black, white, yellow and red – five of which are metallic ($1850) and three of which are special paint colours ($5390), including the eye-catching Lava Orange.

Some of the no-cost options include four roof colours (black, blue, red and brown) and some of the big-ticket extra-options include Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanically locking rear differential ($3190), a sports exhaust system with black or silver end pipes ($4990) and ceramic composite brakes ($17,990).

There's also a fire extinguisher ($380), leather interior package ($1670) and two upmarket stereo systems to replace the 110-Watt six-speaker system that's standard; either the 505W Bose ($2650) or the 821W Burmester ($8790).

Standard Boxster features include 14-way adjustable electric seats with memory function, 18-inch wheels and a powered (and remotely operable) fabric roof that takes around 10 seconds to open by our measure and works at speeds of almost 50km/h. It also has a heated glass rear window.

A net-type wind deflector and electrically-actuated rear spoiler are also standard on both models, as is a new touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay integration and all the usual connectivity functions such as Bluetooth audio and phone streaming.

As well as the beefier 257kW 2.5-litre boxer four engine, the more expensive Boxster S gets thicker brake discs (with the same 330mm front, 299mm rear diameter and Brembo callipers, but painted red), 19-inch alloy wheels, different colour instrumentation, sports pedals and a dual tailpipe in lieu of a single outlet.

Ellis said Porsche's move to charge more for the Boxster than its fixed-roof sibling -- the Cayman -- for the first time would make Porsche's sports car line-up more understandable for customers.

"It's part of the global repositioning strategy to bring the Porsche Boxster Cayman in line with the 911 Carrera strategy, which is to make the coupe more affordable over the cabriolet.

"In this case the roadster becomes more expensive than the hard-top," he said. "It hasn’t been an issue previously. I don’t think it will be moving forward.

"In fact, I think it'll be easier for the customer to understand. The Porsche sports car without a roof, costs a little more than a Porsche sports car with a roof," he said.

Porsche's new four-cylinder turbo 718 Cayman coupes will arrive here later in the year.

"We would anticipate to see that car arrive in Australia before the end of the year," said Ellis. "It'll be priced below the Boxster, spec for spec."

Stay tuned for our first Australian drive of the new 718 Boxster range from midnight tonight.

Porsche 718 Boxster pricing:
Porsche Boxster $113,100 (six-speed manual)
Porsche Boxster $114,433 (seven-speed PDK)

Porsche Boxster S $143,400 (six-speed manual)
Porsche Boxster S $148,390 (seven-speed PDK)