cars news 10: 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S Tested on Ignition

The Porsche Boxster has undergone a transformation for 2017, replacing its naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine with a turbocharged flat-four and adopting the resurrected 718 nomenclature. The car is faster than the model it replaces, but is it better? Host Carlos Lago returns to Ignition one last time to find out.

The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder that makes 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 35 hp and 43 lb-ft over the previous six-cylinder Boxster S. That equates to a faster lap around Willow Springs and a playfulness its predecessor didn’t have. Just how quick did Porsche make the new Boxster S? Its lap is compared side by side against a more powerful, better-tired Porsche Cayman GT4 and the result is surprising: the Boxster finishes just two-tenths of a second behind the GT4, making it the sixth quickest car we’ve ever tested at that track.

But does that performance translate to driving pleasure in the real world? Lago finds some winding back roads to see if driving the Boxster can put a smile on his face. Though the four-cylinder has a nice rumble at low rpms, Lago notes that it doesn’t “sing” like the old naturally aspirated six-cylinder in the higher revs. Lago thinks this detracts from the everyday driving experience, but does the car’s handling abilities make up for it? Watch the full episode below to hear the host’s final thoughts.