2016 Porsche 718 Boxster S (982) Photos, engines & full specs

Even though the fourth generation of the Boxster S relied on the same chassis as its predecessor, it was a new car by all means, including the new turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

When the German automaker launched the Boxster lineup in 1996, which sported the 786 factory code, the brand’s fans said it was the “poor man’s Porsche.” However, that vehicle saved the automaker from bankruptcy and helped it develop other vehicles that broadened the manufacturer’s lineup. Over time, the mid-engined roadster’s performance and appeal grew and became the “smart man’s Porsche.” Its better weight distribution than the much more famous 911 brother and the fact that it featured two trunks (one at the front and the other behind the engine, in the back) made it a better daily driver sports car. With the 982 generation launched in 2016, the Boxster S became more fuel-efficient, which was good news. As a result, besides losing the marvelous sound of the flat-six powerplant, it was a superior vehicle to its predecessor. Last but not least, it was more powerful.

Most of the body panels of the roadster were completely new. At the front, the 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster featured new LED headlights that sported four blocks for the daytime running lights that used the same light-emitting diode technology. The front trunk lid was also new, even though, at first sight, it looked identical to the previous one. Furthermore, the entire front bumper was fresh but still resembled the one from the 981 Boxster S, with its trapezoidal center air intake flanked by slatted side scoops that sported the parking lights and the turn signal lamps.

The low-slung profile of the car revealed the increased dimension of the 718 Boxster S compared to its predecessor, albeit there were just five millimeters (0.2 of an inch) longer. These were achieved by the extended front bumper and were barely noticeable. There were new door panels sporting door handles without recessed covers like its predecessor. One of the details that made it look different was the shape of the side sills and the two-slat air intakes behind the doors. Porsche improved the aerodynamic flow of the car and allowed it to get more air into the engine compartment, which was behind the cabin. At the back, the only part unchanged compared to the 781 Boxster was the trunk lid. However, the deployable wing behind it was new and looked like a lip spoiler when retracted. The new LED taillights featured a center red stripe for the braking lights, while the blinkers and the parking lamps were placed above and below, respectively. Under the rear valance, the Boxster S featured a twin exhaust, differentiating it from its lesser-powered brother.

With a cabin fit for two and finished at 911 standards, the 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster S created a racy cockpit centered on the driver. On the center stack, the new PCM (Porsche Communication Management) infotainment system was standard and accessible via a seven-inch touchscreen. Fronting the steering wheel was a three-dial instrument panel with the tachometer in the middle, a TFT display on the right that showed information from the PCM and the car’s onboard computer, and on the right was the speedometer. The center console was narrow, and Porsche placed several specific buttons there, including the one for the available sports exhaust, for the manual control of the rear wing, and the retractable multi-layered canvas top.

Behind the cabin, the 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster S had a turbocharged flat-four engine with a 2.5-liter displacement. It provided more power than the 781 Boxster and had a broader torque curve that started at just 1,900 rpm. The automaker mated this fresh powerplant with a six-speed manual as standard, while a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) transmission was available. Also, in the technical department, the automaker upgraded the front suspension with parts carried over from the 911 Carrera and an adjusted one for the rear.