Porsche Canada only just announced pricing, features and specs for the new 718 Cayman T coupe and equally impressive 718 Boxster T roadster earlier this month, not to mention details on the 718 line’s top-end GT4 and Spyder models, plus other 2020 Cayman and Boxster trims, so news about the 2021 718 GTS may be a bit surprising for those that can remember an entirely new fourth-generation version appearing just two years ago.
The outgoing 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS made a healthy 365 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque when it arrived for 2018, but its power was sourced from a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed turbocharged four-cylinder, a significant 500 cubic centimeters larger than the base and S trims’ 2.0-litre turbo-four, but nowhere near as meaty as the all-new GTS’ naturally aspirated 4.0-litre H-6 powerplant.
You might recognize the new six-cylinder engine from the just-noted GT4 and Spyder, and thanks to 394 horsepower it’s almost as potent as those top-line 718s too, down just 20 horsepower yet making an identical 309 pound-feet of torque. That’s strong performance from a model set to be priced between the turbo-four-powered $74,400/$76,800 718 Cayman/Boxster T twosome and the $110,500/$113,800 Spyder/GT4 duo when it arrives at Porsche Centre Vancouver later this year, plus it revs to a lofty 7,800 rpm while making Porsche’s six-cylinder growl that’s so loved by sports car enthusiasts, enhanced with a standard twin-tailpipe sport exhaust system no less, which means the new GTS will certainly be a popular 718 trim.
Of note, Porsche optimizes efficiency via adaptive cylinder control that alternately switches off one of the two cylinder banks during low loads, plus direct fuel injection with piezo injectors and a variable intake system.
Like the sport-tuned 718 T models, the new GTS includes plenty of go-fast goodies like a mechanical limited-slip differential, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), and the Sport Chrono Package with an upgraded Porsche Track Precision App including a lap timer as standard equipment. The Sport Chrono Package includes a “push-to-pass” style Sport Response button in the centre of the steering wheel-mounted driving mode switch, plus Launch Control with the seven-speed dual-clutch automated PDK transmission.
The new 2021 718 Cayman GTS and 718 Boxster GTS sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds when utilizing their base six-speed manual transmission, beating the outgoing GTS by 0.1 seconds while only a scant 0.1 seconds off the GT4 and Spyder’s standing start time. Both GTS models also increase their top track speeds by 3 km/h (1.8 mph) apiece to 293 km/h (182 mph)—by comparison the GT4 and Spyder are good for 304 and 301 km/h respectively (189 and 187 mph). Porsche hasn’t announced performance numbers for the PDK, but in the GT4 and Spyder it shaves 0.2 seconds off the zero to 100km/h time, so we can expect something similar from the GTS.
The new 718 GTS models also include standard equipment designed to enhance handling and control, including Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts (PADM) that incorporate dynamic hard and soft transmission mounts for reducing vibration and improving performance, as well as a special set of Satin-Gloss Black-painted 20-inch alloy wheels shod with staggered-width 235/35 front and 265/35 rear performance tires.
Also standard, the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronic damping system instantly adjusts for road surface conditions and driving style changes, depending on the Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or Individual driving mode selected.
All of the above sits on a 20-millimetre lower ride height resulting in a reduced centre of gravity, thus better control all around, while larger 350-mm (13.8-inch) front and 33-mm (13.0-in) rear cast-iron brakes improve stopping performance, with composite ceramic brakes optional.
In order to make sure the new models stand out visually, dark grey “GTS 4.0” script gets added to each door panel, while an assortment of gloss- and matte-black exterior trim elements tastefully match the aforementioned wheels, these including the front spoiler lip, the Sport Design lower front fascia’s all-black air intake, the darkened front fog lamp lenses, the taillight lenses, and the revised lower rear bumper, not to mention its sharp looking set of black chrome tailpipes.
Inside, the new 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS include a GT sport steering wheel, a scripted “GTS” logo highlighting the centre-mounted tachometer within the classic Porsche three-dial primary instrument cluster, carbon-fibre instrument panel inlays and centre console trim, plus dark Alcantara covering the steering wheel rim, the centre console, the gear shift knob and skirt, each door insert and armrest, as well as the standard Sport Seats Plus centre sections, while the A-pillars and roof lining also get the plush suede-like treatment in the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0.
An optional GTS interior package lets you choose Carmine Red or Crayon chalk grey/beige for a contrasting colour, each livening up the tachometer face, the seatbelts, the otherwise black-bordered floor mats, and all the decorative seams including the embroidered “GTS” emblem on each headrest.
The standard Porsche Communication Management (PCM) 7.0-inch high-resolution touchscreen infotainment display receives a full assortment of leading-edge functions, including connectivity to the previously noted Track Precision App. Downloadable to your smartphone, this motorsport-originated application shows performance-related data on the PCM display for use while on the track, and simultaneously records it to your device for analyzing later.
Additionally, the navigation system provides real-time traffic information, with available voice control and Porsche Connect. Bose surround sound and an even higher end Burmester surround sound system are also available.
The new 2021 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 models will be available to order from Porsche Centre Vancouver this summer, with deliveries arriving in the fall.
To learn more about the 718 GTS, or to test drive one of our new 2020 718 Cayman or Boxster base, S, GT4 or Spyder models, call Porsche Centre Vancouver at (604) 736-7911, or visit us in our showroom at 688 Terminal Ave, Vancouver.
Also, be sure to check out Porsche’s new 718 GTS models in a video below, as well as all of the newest GTS models in a second video:
Porsche GTS. More of what you love. (1:30):
Photo credits: Porsche
Date Posted: January 31, 2020