VIDEO: So, The Porsche 718 Boxster S Is NOW A Four Banger — Can It Still PLAY W/ The BIG BOYS?

The Porsche 718 Boxster S is one of those vehicles that purchasing becomes tough to justify. It only seats two, it's tiny and it is not a 911.

Though I've long argued that the Boxster S was becoming a better vehicle than the 911 and that it finally succeeded in my last go around, the company did the unthinkable. It lopped off two cylinders from the magnificent engine and now it's a four-cylinder.

Sure, it has better performance but, boy, did it lose that special something it had.

So, how does it fair out on the track against the big boys? Well, it may just surprise you. On a windy circuit a publication put down an impressive time.

While it could not topple a base C7 Chevrolet Corvette or Porsche 911 (997) GT3, it did take down the Mercedes-AMG GT, the BMW M2 and Ford Focus RS. Any way you slice it that's impressive work for the 718.

To see the lap that did it, watch the clip below!

Come onboard the Porsche 718 Boxster Sfor a lap time on Magny-Cours Club test track.

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MDarringer - 10/15/2016 5:02:30 PM

+3 Boost

It can, but everyone would rather have a 6-cylinder.

TheSteve - 10/15/2016 8:11:35 PM

+1 Boost

+1, and putting my name to it :-)

Jaybrn - 10/16/2016 12:46:53 AM

+1 Boost

That 4 banger sounds rough. I'd have to take the Corvette or M2 all day over one of these.

PUGPROUD - 10/15/2016 5:03:44 PM

+2 Boost

Handling...yes! Sound...not any more!

Dexter1 - 10/15/2016 5:19:59 PM

+3 Boost

Great looking car. Looks like an awesome performer. But the soundtrack really blows.

MDarringer - 10/15/2016 7:27:38 PM

+2 Boost

Sports cars should not worry about being environmentally friendly.

carloslassiter - 10/15/2016 9:13:10 PM

+5 Boost

Sounds like a good way to encourage customers to step up and buy a 911?

mini22 - 10/16/2016 3:43:47 PM

+2 Boost

In isolation the sounds is not that bad. However compared to the M2's noise, Lotus Evora 400, Jaguar F Type, Mercedes AMG GT and even the Ford Focus RS it simply does not sound that great. Here is the thing. If this car cost 60 grand with plenty of options I could see it as a good buy. In reality with the average number of options that a person would want this car to have you are looking at 90 grand. That's almost knocking at the door of a stripped base Carrera. A Lotus Evora 400 costs 93 grand. A Corvette Grandsport is significantly less. This car was less than a second quicker than an M2 which costs less than 60 grand. Even a Focus RS which is 42 grand well equipped is only 2 seconds off the Porsche's pace. Look I'm not saying that the typical German build quality is not there or that it does not have a great suspension. However at 90 grand you have a right to get more than a four cylinder engine with that engine noise. Plain and simple.

MDarringer - 10/16/2016 6:44:36 PM

0 Boost

I've not driven a Porsche with this engine, but I assume it is consummately competent.

The problem with a 4 cylinder engine is that they are all aurally dull and flat fours are even more Super Beetlely (sic) sounding. Inline fours just sound better, if not exactly amazing in their sonic perfection.

With the 718, it will be a tradeoff. On one hand the turbo 4 does the heavy lifting of a 6. On the other hand, its engine note is droning, booming, and not thrilling.

mini22 - 10/17/2016 11:21:05 AM

0 Boost

Agreed but not all 4 cylinders sound dull. The 4 cylinders in the turbo GTI and TT don't sound at all bad. Ford has done a reasonable job with the Focus RS. But Fiat has nailed it with your favorite car you hate the 500 Abarth. The 4 cylinder in that car with it's intake an exhaust sound great. I think the problem is with Porsche's flat four. Even the Subaru WRX sounds better. It could be that Subaru uses unequal length headers to give it that distinctive sound. Again in isolation its sounds ok. But other makes have better sounding 4 cylinder engines for way less money. So yes you get great quality and a great suspension in any Porsche. However if it were me I would simply buy a base Cayman with Pasm and sport exhaust and not much else. Then I could justify driving a modern 4 cylinder Porsche in the low 60K range. Not, however in the mid 90K range.