The current generation of the Porsche 718 Boxster has always won my heart in terms of handling performance since its launch in 2016, including the passion for test driving the 718 Boxster Spyder more than a year ago is still unforgettable, sharp corners. The machine is paired with a six-cylinder naturally aspirated classic engine.
This combination will make people want to buy one for collection anyway. Compared with the Boxster Spyder, the protagonist of this time, the 718 Boxster T, although the power configuration is at the entry-level, the overall combination brings I don’t think it will lose the driving pleasure to the Boxster Spyder at all, especially the Boxster T includes the PASM Porsche Active Suspension Adjustment System, the PTV Porsche Torque Distribution System and the mechanical rear axle differential as standard equipment. The six-speed manual transmission configuration, focusing on the setting of driving pleasure, is precisely the product appeal of the 718 Boxster T!
In the past, Porsche 911 has launched the Carrera T model, and this time the 718 Boxster T also uses “Touring” to represent the T in the car name, emphasizing the meaning of travel. Many people, including me, are immensely Enjoying the process of driving a long-distance trip, whether it is purely to experience the driving pleasure brought by the vehicle or to explore the beautiful scenery. This kind of free feeling requires actual participation to undergo.
The Boxster T I tested this time is a car that allows you to participate in the fun of driving entirely. It does not have particularly luxurious or high-tech equipment. The manual transmission configuration makes you feel significantly “involved” when going. The limited space in the car and luggage compartment will not allow you to take camping equipment on the road. If you look closely, you will find that the air conditioning system is a rare heating and cooling air conditioning specification. If you want to buy this Boxster T in some areas, it may be Even the multimedia host of the centre console will not be attached (it is standard for models sold in Taiwan); but after all, convertible enthusiasts have a “magnetic field” division, which means that those who like them will be inextricable. I always pick and choose what I want; for me, it belongs to the former. Unlessa it is raining, I will drive in an open-top state, not afraid of the sun!
The headlights are equipped with standard xenon lamps and blackened LED headlight auxiliary lighting. With the configuration of the test drive in all black, it can be said to be a very eye-catching matching method; if you have further functional requirements for the lighting system, you can still choose to equip it with an upgraded PDLS dynamic or LED headlights with PDLS Plus lighting system.
There is a sticker with the words “718 Boxster T” on the side of the car. The original standard 20-inch Carrera S black aluminium ring has a perfect shape. The braking system has four front and four rear four-piston black brake callipers. The dimensions of the front and rear discs are 330mm and 299mm.
The canopy mechanism is an electric opening and closing type, which can be operated through the button behind the rear seat. The canopy can be opened or closed in about 9 seconds, and the top can also be opened and closed during travel (within 50km/h).
The ten-spoke Carrera S aluminium rim is very pleasing to the eye, and the 20-inch specification also makes the whole car look more imposing. The original tires use the front and rear formulas, respectively, the front 235/35ZR20, the back 265/30ZR20, the width is wider than the previous test drive. The 718 Boxster Spyder is slightly narrower.
The 718 series is one of the few Porsche models that has not yet used the design of through-type taillights, but the beautiful rear line shape, which has been launched for a long time in this generation of models, still looks very attractive.
The rear wing has an electric lift function, and the lift can also be controlled manually through the buttons in the car.
The front luggage compartment has a volume of 150 litres, and it is not a problem to put it directly into a set of boarding boxes.
The original factory has not announced the space volume of the rear luggage compartment, but it is not a problem to store luggage for two days of travel. However, due to the mid-engine configuration, the rear luggage compartment will still feel the temperature from the engine room, which is not suitable. Place items that are not resistant to high temperatures.
Boxster T does not have many apparent differences compared with other Boxster models. The door handle is changed to Sport-Tex material pull ring design and the standard manual transmission; the steering wheel and gearshift position is a peaceful setting for driving.
The red font above the gear lever improves the recognition, the gear stroke is short, the gear position is clear, and the clutch feedback is slightly heavy. Still, the overall operation feeling is very “comfortable”—the bloody shifting process.
The steering wheel adopts a three-spoke shape with a slightly smaller diameter, and the operation feels excellent. And the lower right corner is the driving mode switch dial.
Emphasizing the Sport-Tex pull tab for light effect, the same design can also be seen on the Boxster Spyder model.
The Boxster T comes standard with the Sports Timing Package, but since the car is not equipped with a PDK transmission, there is no Sport Response function on the steering wheel driving mode dial.
The constant temperature air conditioner is an electronic heating and cooling air conditioner, but it is not a problem for car owners who like to open the roof.
The multimedia console of the centre console has many built-in functions, including multimedia playback, satellite navigation, and Bluetooth communication.
The open-top switch for the convertible is located behind the rear seat, and the image-style buttons are easy to operate. There are also function buttons for suspension damping, tail lift, and exhaust pipe noise on both sides.
The instrument adopts a three-ring configuration. The tachometer in the centre, the speedometer on the left, and the LCD screen on the right can switch and display information according to the driver’s needs.
The driving mode switch dial is located at the bottom right of the steering wheel, and there are Standard, Sport, Sport+ and Custom modes.
The paddle on the lower left of the steering wheel is a fixed-speed operation function. If necessary, the ACC function can be upgraded through the option.
After the front trim panel of the passenger seat is opened, you can see the configuration of double cup holders. Although the drinks can be fixed firmly, if you place cold beverages, you will inevitably have concerns about water droplets on your body.
The standard seat adopts the electric two-way sports car upgrade seat. The seatback is electrically adjusted, the rest are manually adjusted, and the seat surface is made of Sport-Tex material.
The most significant difference between the 718 Boxster T and the Boxster Spyder that I have tested before is that the power output level is just at the two ends of the story.
The Boxster Spyder uses a 4.0-litre horizontal six-cylinder natural intake setting, with a maximum power of 420ps, 43.8 km, while the Boxster T is a 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder setting with half the displacement, but with the blessing of turbocharging, the maximum power is still 300ps and 38.7kgm; just in terms of the sound of the engine, the Boxster T with four-cylinder configuration is difficult to compare with the six-cylinder model, but when you drive on the road, you will find that the low-speed power output of the Boxster T is a relatively smooth setting. It will have a rather violent thrust after the speed exceeds 4000rpm. Still, I must say, this is viewed with a relatively high standard.
After all, the car only needs 5.1 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h. If you have good driving skills, you can further develop the performance level that the Boxster T should have.
A convertible car that emphasizes driving fun, many people will directly think of Mazda’s MX-5. I had the opportunity to get along with the MX-5 for a long time, which proved that what the fans said was accurate, light, neat, and cornering. Until recently, the 718 Boxster T was tested, and the feeling of doing whatever you want to come back.
Manual, low centre of gravity are the standard features of Boxster T and MX-5 but don’t forget that Boxster T uses a mid-engine configuration, the change of centre of gravity when cornering is handier than MX-5, plus this car logo is Equipped with the PASM active suspension system, the handling of various corners and road conditions is very delicate. Even if the ceramic composite brake system is not equipped, the braking performance of the Boxster T can still find a more extreme corner entry in the corner. The best interpretation of this car is timing, pure and intuitive driving pleasure.
Porsche 718 Boxster T Specifications
Engine Type: Horizontal 4-cylinder turbocharged DOHC 16V
Maximum horsepower: 300ps/6500rpm Maximum torque : 38.7kgm / 1950~4500rpm
Connecting rod tire specifications: front 235/35ZR20, rear 265/ 30ZR20
Body size: 4379mm x 1801mm x 1281mm
Wheelbase: 2475mm
Vehicle weight: 1335kg
Fuel tank capacity: 54 liters
