After a long time without test drives, it felt refreshing to head onto the roads in the new Porsche 718 Boxster 4.0, even getting wind in my hair in the process. I won’t beat around the bush here; the Boxster GTS offers a fantastic driving experience! But it is too good for Porsche’s own good?
I mean, at what point does the 718 outperform the 911? The Boxster GTS boasts a 4-litre with 400 hp and will do the 0-100 km/h sprint in a suitable 4.0 seconds, leaving several entry-level 911s in the dust. With a significantly better weight distribution than the 911, the 718 series should also be more than capable in a battle of handling capabilities. Then again, as I took a turn onto a side road, my mind couldn’t be further from being concerned with these matters. The sheer joy of driving the Boxster GTS hits you in the face like a breath of fresh air, and the responses from pressing pedals or turning the wheel are simply lovely.
As you would expect from Porsche, a pleasant driving position is easily found by adjusting the seat and steering wheel, and it seems everything is where it should be. I’m always curious to see how intuitive a car’s settings and adjustments are, and Porsche must have made a proper effort over the years to give their drivers what they want in that regard. As the sun pops out from behind some clouds, I’m finding myself struggling to fault the Boxster GTS. Granted, it’s made for sunny drives, but raising the roof turns it into a candidate for a daily driver. The roof even comes up as I’m driving along (slowly), not having to stop to show off the Boxster’s party trick.
What does it take to put the Boxster in a bad light? I try switching to Sport Plus driving mode and pushing the Boxster GTS hard around a few corners to see if it becomes nervous or too shouty. It becomes neither, it just gives you that satisfying feeling of having your back and making all the right noises while it eagerly devours corner after corner. I give up, park the car on a side road and step out. What about the way it looks? The earlier Boxsters didn’t do much for me in the way of design, so I had some reservations in my expectations. The 718 Boxster has a rather simplistic overall appearance, and echoes the classic 914, which is definitely a good thing. So, yes, the 718 Boxster looks good as well.
While driving back to return the car to the dealer, the Boxster doesn’t seem to mind driving in surprisingly dense traffic, and I find myself wondering if I’m in one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. Why would Porsche make a car that gives the 911 a run for its money? I kind of know the answer to that question, being aware that Porsche aren’t run by toddlers. With the 718 series, it appears Porsche have made brilliant cars that complement the 911, or in other words: They had their cake and ate it too.
Thanks to Porsche Center Stavanger for handing me the keys to the Boxster GTS.