2017 718 Boxster GTS (982) Photos, engines & full specs

Porsche expanded the Boxster’s range in 2017 when it introduced the GTS version of the well-known roadster for the 2018 model year, upgrading the car’s engine and improving its overall appearance.

Ever since the Boxster broke covers in 1996, the German roadster was seen as a cheaper alternative to a 911, which was seen as a proper Porsche sports car. But the two-seat roadster was more than that. It was a balanced vehicle powered by a flat-six engine placed behind the cabin. Later, the added features and amenities, the improved quality of the interiors, and the upgraded underpinnings made the brand’s fans reconsider their attitude toward the Boxster. At first, they said it was the “poor man’s Porsche,” but later, they agreed that it was the “smart man’s Porsche.” Furthermore, the introduction of the GTS version of the car’s fourth generation transformed the 718 Boxster into one of the best sports cars in the world in its price range.

While, at first sight, the 2018 Porsche Boxster GTS didn’t look that much different from the rest of its siblings, some details made it stand apart. At the front, Porsche installed new headlights featuring a black background, contrasting with the look of the bi-xenon and the four-dot LED daytime running lights. Below, on the bumper, the automaker redesigned the apron. It still featured three air intakes, like its brothers, albeit in this case, the slats that flanked the center area were tilted even more, creating an even more aggressive stance for the vehicle.

From its profile, a keen eye for detail could notice the 10 mm (0.4 of an inch) lower ground clearance than a regular Boxster. A less-discreet badging with GTS badging adorned the lower front side of the doors. All the GTS vehicles came fitted with a black package with dark alloy wheels and side air intakes for the mid-mounted engine. Furthermore, at the back, the automaker installed smoked lenses over the taillights and black 718 Boxster GTS badging. Porsche equipped the car with a sports exhaust with dual tips that peaked under the rear valance.

Porsche extended the long list of standard features inside the open-top vehicle. The sports seats featured Alcantara centers with black leather on the high-bolstered areas and on the integrated headrests. The same material was used to cover the door cards, the steering wheel, and even the gear selector. On the center stack, the automaker placed a seven-inch touchscreen for the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system. This supported Apple CarPlay connections but no Android Auto. On the dashboard, the 2018 Porsche Boxster GTS came fitted with a chronometer, which was part of the standard Chrono Package that equipped the vehicle.

But the reason why people spent more on a GTS than on a well-equipped Boxster S was behind the cabin. Porsche installed the same 2.5-liter flat-four turbocharged engine as in the rest of the range, albeit with 15 more ponies. The automaker made the Boxster GTS available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) PDK gearbox. For the former, the maximum torque was slightly lower than for the latter. A mechanical self-locking differential was also a standard feature.