2017 Porsche 718 & 911 | Cars To Look Out For In 2016
The next-generation Boxster and Cayman models are due this year, and they will bear the resurrected “718” nomenclature remembering the open-cockpit racing car from the late 50s. But that’s not all; the duo really go back in time as they are to sport turbocharged flat-four cylinder motors, replacing the glorious naturally-aspirated six-pots that Boxsters presently have. The Porsche 911 range, on the other hand, have gone turbo-crazy with punchy performance and dynamic options.
Porsche has announced earlier that the 2017 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models will share more similarities, both visually and mechanically, than before. Further, the 718 Boxster will costlier than the 718 Cayman, which departs from the current pricing strategy of the company – right now, a base Cayman costs $500 more than a standard Boxster in US. The name change for these models is certainly a move to better integrate them into their model range, like the 911 Carrera and 911 Targa, for instance.
But the engine range for 718 is even more significant. The new 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre flat-four variable-vane turbocharged direct-injected petrols pump out 300 PS and 360 Nm and 340 PS and 400 Nm respectively; the S models getting the latter. A six-speed manual or seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung twin-clutch automatic transmission will be available to send power to the rear wheels. The top-end GTS twins that follow will receive more potent versions later. However, the top-end 718 Spyder and 718 GT4 will continue to get six-cylinder units.
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4
The 718 twins are expected to be not just light and quick, but also very nimble on the road and track. Porsche claim a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 5.4 seconds, with the S model managing in 4.9 seconds. The 718 Boxster, Cayman, Boxster S and Cayman S will be introduced later this year in India, with prices starting above INR 95 lakhs.
Moving on to the 2017 Porsche 911 model range, the new mid-cycle face-lifted 2017 models will hit showrooms this year, hopefully in India too. The 911 range will consist of a number of version – the Carrera, Carrera 4, Targa 4 coupé and the cabriolet, S and 4S, Turbo and Turbo S models – all of them going turbo-crazy using an all-new 3.0-litre flat-six cylinder engine. The naturally aspirated flat-six will be gone by this year and you’ll find ‘turbo’ badges in the 911s referring to the twin turbochargers. The first four versions in the 911 range will get 370 PS and 450 Nm. The S and 4S models get 420 PS and 500 Nm. The Turbo gets a further fettled 3.8-litre flat-six cylinder motor from the current 991, and delivers 540 PS, with the Turbo S getting 580 PS and promising an Aventador-matching 0-100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds.
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera
The prices of the new 911 models are expected to be little higher than the current prices, thanks to added power and standard equipment. A basic 911 Carrera is expected to touch INR 1.50 Crore mark.
