Porsche 718 Boxster arrives – next step just ‘Porsche 718’? (video)

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The Porsche 718 Boxster has been revealed as the Boxster’s replacement with new styling, the new name and new 4-cylinder engines.

Back in December we revealed the Porsche Boxster and Cayman were to get new names and new four-cylinder engines. And now we have the first of Porsche’s revamped and renamed baby sports cars unveiled – the 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster.

The 718 Boxster now gets a 2.0 litre flat-four petrol engine with 296bhp – costing from £41,739 – and the 718 Bosxter S a 2.5 litre flat-four with 345bhp and costing from £50,695.

Moving to four-cylinder engines has improved economy by more than 10 per cent – the 718 Boxster does 40.9mpg and the S 38.7mpg – and performance with the PDK auto ‘box is also substantially improved, with the standard 718 getting to 62mph in 4.7 seconds and the S in 4.2 seconds.

Styling changes – which will be echoed in the 718 Cayman when that arrives – include a new front end with bigger air intakes, new headlights and slimmer LED running lights, bigger air vents at the side and a back end that looks wider thanks to new tail lights, small spoiler and an accent strip running between the lights.

Interior updates are more minor, but the 718 Boxster does get new air vents and steering wheel, PCM as standard and a decent sound system.

The Porsche 718 Boxster and Boxster S are now on sale at Porsche’s UK dealers, with first customer cars expected in the spring.

And we wouldn’t mind betting that when the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman next get titivated, they’ll morph in to a single Porsche 718 model, with the Boxster being the Convertible and the Cayman the Coupe.

Porsche 718 Boxster Video