GTS. Three letters which, when seen following a model name at Porsche, refer to the best of Porsche performance for everyday use. The GTS variants offer more performance than the lower-range variants, while remaining usable and comfortable in everyday use.
And this has never been truer for the GTS variants currently in the manufacturer's catalogue, especially for one of them: the Boxster. Porsche Lauzon, your Porsche dealer of choice in Laval, in the Greater Montreal area, gives you its opinion on the latter, the full name of which is the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, following a test drive. Read on without further ado!
Exterior styling: the 2021 718 Boxster's features are magnified while remaining discreet.
First chapter: the body design. This was indeed our first point of contact with our test model on the Porsche dealer's parking lot. And this first encounter was as intimidating as it was appealing.
It had all the current styling attributes of the 2021 718 Boxster. With teardrop headlights in line with the front fenders, wide, curved fenders contrasting with the huge air intakes behind the doors, and equally streamlined taillights on either side of the discreet, movable trunk spoiler, the "Boxster GTS 4.0" incorporates all of the wind-sculpted, timeless lines of the current 718 range. However, it's really the exterior Agate Grey Metallic shade, combined with the Roadster soft top in red that really stood out to us. This colour scheme is a combination often seen throughout the history of Porsche.
Here, with the 20-inch 911 Turbo wheels, the monochrome treatment of the rear headlights on a black background, and the imposing diffuser where the two huge oval tailpipes are housed, these colours gave our 718 GTS 4.0 test car an aggressive style with a touch of finesse. As you can imagine, we were immediately charmed!
Technical specifications: a powerful engine makes the 718 GTS 4.0 very powerful on paper.
But the most important thing about Porsche is not the exterior, but the technical specifications! And in this respect, at least theoretically, the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is worthy of the Zuffenhausen-based manufacturer's name.
The 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is powered by a noble, naturally aspirated flat-six that develops 394 hp at 7,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 309 lb-ft with the manual transmission, as in our case. This torque rises to 317 lb-ft with the available PDK dual-clutch transmission. In both cases, the power is transmitted to the rear wheels alone, as this very special Boxster is strictly rear-wheel drive.
With such data, the 2021 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is able to sprint the 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds with the manual transmission, a figure that drops to 4.0 seconds with the PDK transmission. The top speed is given by Porsche Canada as 293 km/h with the manual transmission and 288 km/h with the PDK. Theoretical data suggest that the car is capable of outstanding performance and exceptional feel, which we were to verify during the test drive.
Interior: a cockpit designed for performance and driving pleasure, while being ultra-luxurious.
After the exterior and the engine, it's time for the interior in which we take place, without waking up the flat-six engine at our back. Indeed, we first take a few minutes to discover this superb cabin.
The word "admire" would be more appropriate, however. Indeed, this cockpit is a real jewel! The air vents are soberly rounded, the dashboard is sleek and horizontal, and the centre console rises up from the floor: we are in a cabin of timeless class, where design and ergonomics merge into a perfectly balanced whole to become one with our machine in the most pleasant way possible. And this is confirmed by the superb three-spoke sports steering wheel and its optimal grip!
However, this interior dedicated to performance and driving pleasure has nothing to envy the best luxury cars, especially in the case of our test model! Leather interior in Black/Bordeaux Red echoing the colour of the soft top, interior trim in Brushed Black Aluminum, 18-way adjustable electric seats, and Burmester High-End Surround Sound system: we had all the technology and comfort required to carry out our test drive of the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 in the best possible conditions!
On the road, precision and performance as well as everyday comfort.
Now it's time for us to hit the road! After firing up the six-cylinder boxer, which wakes up with its characteristic roar, we take off the top and leave the dealership for the nearest expressway.
From the very first meters, we are struck by the ride comfort. Simply put, the suspensions absorb the irregularities of the road without ever jarring us with parasitic movements of the body, and are rigorous. The steering is in the purest Porsche tradition, placing itself exactly where you want it. Scalpel precision on the roads of the metropolitan area!
Next, we're taking the on ramp to the highway: it's the perfect opportunity to test the acceleration capabilities of our mid-engined Porsche cabriolet! We downshift with the manual gearbox lever, which is very quick and precise in its operation, and press the right pedal. As soon as we touch the throttle, our 2021 Boxster GTS 4.0 leaps forward with force, picking up speed with disconcerting gusto. The 100 km/h speed limit on the fast lane is reached long before we reach the motorway, so much so that we have to watch the speedometer to make sure we don't exceed it.
Once inserted, we confirm these first impressions with two overtaking passes in quick succession in the left lane. Each time, the new Boxster GTS 4.0 picks up with force, all in a thrilling flat six symphony. And of course, the car beams past each overtaken vehicle, which becomes a distant memory in the rear-view mirror. As you can see, the acceleration figures given by Porsche Canada are more than confirmed. They even seem very conservative, that's saying something!
Next, there is a series of two large, fast bends that form an "S", which is perfect for testing the handling of the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 at higher speeds. When entering the first curve, the front end once again proved to be extremely precise and communicative via the steering. The rear end follows suit, while remaining firmly attached to the road. The damping once again does an incredible job of controlling any roll without ever being uncomfortable for the occupants, highlighting the extraordinary rigidity of the chassis, which is unequalled. After these two bends, we turn around and drive in the opposite direction. The return journey will only confirm all the observations made on the way out. Amazing!
Conclusion: the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is the ultimate in everyday sportiness according to Porsche!
This is how we would sum up our opinion after the test drive in our 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. Superb and timeless Porsche features, a high-performance engine with a fabulous sound in the revs, and an interior dedicated to fun behind the wheel but very luxurious: the mid-engined Porsche cabriolet is truly flawless, as usual with Porsche.
Still have questions? Contact one of our specialists at Porsche Lauzon, your Porsche dealer of choice on the North Shore of Montreal, or come see us directly in Laval! We'll answer all of your questions in detail, while introducing you to the Porsche lease/financing programs that will allow you to get behind the wheel of YOUR own 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. See you soon at the dealership!
August 27, 2021