The Boxster, now reimagined and destined for Malaysia Q3 2016

Porsche’s seminal mid-engined roadster gets a distinctive and numerological rebadge some 20-years after its first debut. The official designation for the new generation of models is the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S.

As the name or rather numbers suggest, it largely compliments the rest of the current range – starting of with the 918 hyper-car flagship and the iconic 911 nameplates, and is also meant to spiritually evoke the memories of the successful Porsche 718 mid-engine sports cars of the 50s and 60s, that etched their names onto the silverware of the Targa Florio and Le Mans competitions.

But the revisions go beyond name-calling; other highlights read a 35bhp power hike and 13 per cent better fuel economy.

The centre-piece includes a newly developed range of flat-four mills with power compensatory turbocharging. The 718 Boxster now develops 300bhp from two litres of engine displacement, while the 718 Boxster S produces 350bhp from its 2.5-litre mill.

Utilising Variable Geometry turbine technology (Porsche being the only manufacturer who does so with gasoline powered cars), the new cars feature considerable power gains of 35bhp compared to the previous Boxster models. The new 718 Boxster line-up also enjoy fuel economy boosts of up to 13 per cent.

The 718 models come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), which now features fuel-saving virtual gears, is available as an option for other markets but our educated guess is that the PDK would be the standard offering for the Malaysian market.

The chassis also enlists a host of new chassis tweaks and stronger brakes. The completely retuned chassis is said to enhance cornering performance while the electro-mechanical steering system is configured to be ten per cent more direct… making the daily grind and sporty track driving a comprehensively more thrilling experience.

Available at extra charge for the roadsters is Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) with a 10mm lower ride height. A PASM sport chassis setup with a 20mm lower ride height is available as an option for the 718 Boxster S.

As in the 911, the optional Sport Chrono Package now comprises the Individual programme in addition to the three settings Normal, Sport and Sport Plus. This mode sits in the centre of the drive-mode selector, offering-up the extra few precedents of control over the PDK-box and engine performance parameters.

The front end of the new roadster exhibits a much more sculptural form and wider appearance. The larger cooling air intakes at the front offer a visual reminder of the turbocharging technology that lurks beneath. The front end of the 718 Boxster is rounded out by the new design of the bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED day-time running lights - LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are available as a new option but as with face lifted Porsche Cayenne we tested recently – the 718 Boxster might just feature these items as standard.

From a side view features independently styled wings and side sills. Larger air inlets brandishing twin-fins decorate the sides, while the doors now do without door recess covers. New 19-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Boxster S. 20-inch diameter wheels are available as an option.

The comprehensive restyled rear features an accent strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The entirely redeveloped tail lights are distinguished by their three-dimensional LED technology and four-point brake lights.

In future, the Boxster and Cayman models will be branded as the 718 model series and will continue to merge both technically and optically. The Porsche 718 Boxster is due for a local debut in Quarter 3 of this year. ARVIND KUMAR

The important stats:

Porsche 718 Boxster

Engine

2.0-litre flat-four turbocharged, 300bhp, 380Nm @ 1950rpm – 4500rpm

Performance

0-100kph 4.7secs, 275kph top speed, 6.9l/100km (NEDC)

Porsche 718 Boxster S

Engine

2.5-litre flat-four turbocharged, 350bhp, 420Nm @ 1900rpm – 4500rpm

Performance

0-100kph 4.2secs, 285kph top speed, 7.3l/100km (NEDC)