When an automaker presents us with a new generation of a model there are typically significant design changes present in order to make the vehicle much better than before. Often these changes are a direct response to the questions and complaints the automaker may have received about the product or it may be a natural progression to the next level of performance and technology. As we have seen over the years technology is moving faster than we can keep up with for each generation and some mid-generation changes have to be made, but sometimes a look back to find the right combination can be what is in order.
Such is the case for the Porsche models of the Boxster and Cayman. These two models are up for revision during the 2016 model year and each one will receive its own version of an extremely interesting new upgrade that has been present before, but not during the lifetimes of many readers. the official name of the new offering will be the 718 which has not been around for us at any time in recent history, but it really does offer an intriguing new choice for you to select on your new Boxster or Cayman.
The 718 model showed up in 1957 and this power plant was placed into several race cars at the time to achieve enormous success over the time it was used. This 718 model is driven by a flat four-cylinder engine that gives the sports car line more balance than ever to make for an even better overall drive. The latest example of the 718 was in the 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car that made use of the 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine to help Porsche finish first and second in the 24 hours of LeMans and the World Endurance Championship.
This along with the success the engine found in the 1950s and recently shows the highest configuration of the flat four-cylinder engine ever used. For several years this was the engine that showed off for its endurance during racing become a lauded engine to be used for these longer races as it carried on 142 horsepower that was paired up with an electric motor to be the power plant many racers wanted to use as it won trophies in drovers for Porsche. Now that we understand what this engine was it is being brought back for the new Cayman and Boxster.
As two of the more sporting models on the market the Boxster and Cayman are now similar than they ever have been and now they will share the enjoyment of offering the 718 as a possibility for you to have a Porsche that brings you a classic engine to enjoy and a completely different feeling from under the hood and in the balance of the car to be perfected for you to drive. The changes confirmed are that the Boxster will be more costly than the Cayman, which is a bit different from the current pricing structure.
Adding the 718 flat four-cylinder model to the lineup offers a different power structure than before. With this under the hood the power output for the 2.0-liter engine will come in at 240 horsepower for the base model and move up to 300 horsepower for the S model. You can expect the GTS to reach even farther and reach as high as 370 horsepower for you to admire and have a seriously quick car from which to enjoy the beautiful balance and right build of a fantastic four-cylinder engine that allows you to gain as much power as possible from such a small block of metal.
Not only will adding this engine to the lineup offer a lighter weight car but it allows the Cayman and Boxster to be even more fuel efficient than ever. Even the base horsepower is a huge difference from the 142 that was on the original racing engine, we will get to see more and have the specific details as these two begin to make it to market for us to take full advantage of on the road.
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