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Porsche 718 Boxster (982)

The Ultimate Model Guide

4th Generation Porsche Boxster (2017 - Present)

The Story / Model Guides / Performance & Specs / Data & Research / Pictures & Videos / News & Updates

Ever-stringent government fuel economy and CO2 emissions standards forced Porsche to downsize and turbocharge its entire range of engines. This meant that the marketing department leaned on the flat-four heritage of the 550 Spyder and 718 race cars, dubbing the internally-designated 982 Boxster and Cayman models as the 718.

The MA2-based flat-fours of the base and S versions of the Boxster had more varied specifications than any of their predecessors. The 2.0-liter MA2/20 of the base model had a turbocharger with a conventional internal wastegate for boost control, while the 2.5-liter, 350-hp MA2/22 of the Boxster S had a variable turbine geometry turbocharger in addition to a conventional internal wastegate to reduce exhaust backpressure.

Porsche fans who missed the howl of a flat-six in a new mid-engined roadster collectively rejoiced with the introduction of the 2019 Boxster Spyder, which featured an MA2-derived, naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six, which generated 414 hp and revved to 8,000 rpm. This drivetrain reverted to the three-point mounting system of previous six-cylinder Boxsters.

Porsche chassis engineers always find incremental improvements between generations of model lines, and the 982 was no exception. While the 982 was an evolution of the 981 design and shared most of its body and chassis construction and layout with its predecessor, there were optimizations in every area of the suspension system to improve response and feel. The 982 retained the three-link strut rear suspension design, which has been cited by the erstwhile Porsche engineer and 718/982 project manager August. Achleitner as one of the main engineering reasons that Porsche has never produced a true 911 rival based on the current mid-engine platform-there simply isn't room for a proper multi-link rear suspension design.


982 Gen Porsche 718 Boxster Basics

Type: 982 / Generation: Fourth Generation / Manufacturer: Porsche AG / Production Years: 2016 - Present / Model Years: 2017 - Present / Body Style: 2-Door Roaster / Layout: Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout / Engines: 2.0 L MA2.2 turbocharged flat-4, 2.5 L MA2.22 turbocharged flat-4, 4.0 L MDG naturally aspirated flat-6 / Transmission: 6-speed manual, 7-speed PDK / Official photos: Boxster 2016 Jan 27, Cayman 2016 Apr 24, GTS 4-cylinder 2017 Oct 18, GTS 6-cylinder 2020 Jan 16 / Premiere: Boxster 2016 March 1 at Geneva motor show press day, Cayman 2016 April 25 at Auto China / Market launch: Boxster 2016 Apr 30, Cayman 2016 September, GTS 4-cylinder 2017 December, GTS 6-cylinder 2020 March

Porsche 718 Boxster (982) - The Story

The Boxster and Cayman get more upgrades and make the strong argument that the 911 is no longer the best sports car in the world. The Porsche 982 is the internal designation of the fourth generation Boxster (and third generation Cayman). The big news with the 718 is the switch to a new turbocharged flat-four engine and Porsche moving away from the naturally aspirated flat-6.

Porsche 718 Boxster Model Guides (2017 - Present)

The 718 Boxster was introduced in January 2016, and premiered at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The 718 featured two new horizontally-opposed flat-4 turbocharged engines at 2.0-litre (Boxster/Cayman) and 2.5-litre (Boxster S/Cayman S) displacement with increased torque and horsepower with lower fuel consumption. The S model turbocharger utilizes Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) technology. The 718 T models were released for the 2020 model year as more sport-oriented versions of the base 718 models. Later in October 2017, the GTS models were announced with their 2.5-litre engines rated at 360 hp. Since 2020, the GTS 4.0 model has been offered for both 718 models. The new model features the 4.0-litre flat-6 from the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder, however de-tuned to 394 hp.

Porsche 718 Boxster (2017 – Present)

Welcome to the four generation Boxster. The base Boxster was powered by a twin-turbo 2.0-liter direct-injection gasoline unit. It offered a total output of 300 hp and it was paired as standard with a 6-speed manual, while a 7-speed automatic (PDK – dual-clutch) was on the options list. In terms of design, it gets a more modern look and feel and the interior is upgraded. More tech, more power and more speed. The only downside is the loss of the aural pleasure of a flat 6 engine that is naturally aspirated and loves to rev to the sky.
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Porsche 718 Boxster S (2017 – Present)

While the first generation Boxster S was received with mixed feelings, the second generation was praised. With the introduction of the 718 Boxster, the car-maker showed a special commitment to the smallest member of the Porsche family and it arguably become the best sports car in the world. The Boxster S featured a 2.5-liter flat-four engine. It was turbocharged and with direct fuel injection and was good for 345 hp. Performance was up a lot, especially in the midrange, now that torque was 310 ft lbs. It helped rocket the Boxster S from zero to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds and onto a top speed of 177mph.
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Porsche 718 Boxster GTS (2018 – 2021)

In true Porsche GTS spirit, the output of the 2.5-litre, four-cylinder flat ‘boxer’ engine has been increased to 360 bhp courtesy of a new intake system and an optimized turbocharger. These improvements generate 15bhp more power compared with the 718 S model, and up to 35 bhp more power than the prior GTS models. A manual six-speed gearbox is standard, with the Porsche PDK available as an option. Standard equipment includes the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear axle limited slip differential and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).
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Porsche 718 (982) Spyder 4.0 (2019 – Present)

The 718 Boxster Spyder is everything you could possibly want in a sports car. The sublime combination of a legendary chassis and naturally aspirated 6-cylinder Porsche engine is accentuated by the emphasis that less is more when done right - and nobody does this better than Porsche’s GT division.  Connections with these cars are visceral and emotional, an outcome mutually desired by both Porsche engineers and customers alike. They will never be considered tardy in the right hands. The Spyder is in my opinion, the best sports cars you can buy in this segment.
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Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 (2020 – Present)

Essentially a liaison Boxster version situated between the 718 Boxster GTS and the hardcore 718 Spyder, the Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 offers a mix between the comfort and features found on the regular GTS and a detuned version of the engine found in the Spyder. Alongside its hardtop Cayman sibling, it is also one of the last production sports cars with a large displacement engine that doesn't feature turbocharging or supercharging. It produces 395 bhp @ 7800 rpm and 310 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm and can hit zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds (only 0.1 seconds slower than the Spyder).
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Porsche 718 Boxster T (2020 – Present)

The Boxster 718 T was released for the 2020 model year as more sport-oriented versions of the base 718 models. As such, the T features the same 2.0-litre flat-4 engine as the base 718 but adds performance-oriented options such as Porsche's sport suspension system, the Sport Chrono package, and a limited-slip differential, along with minor cosmetic differences including special decals along the lower doors, a smaller-diameter steering wheel, door pull straps in place of standard door handles, wheels from the Porsche 992 Carrera S, and black rear badging.
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Porsche 718 Boxster Special Models

To celebrate 25 years of the Boxster, Porsche announced a limited edition 718 Boxster 25 for the 2022 model year. Restricted to 1,250 units worldwide, the car is based on the GTS 4.0 model which makes it a very interesting proposition for the collector looking for something fun to drive too.

Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Years (2022 – Present)

Stuttgart. Porsche is celebrating the 25th birthday of its roadster family with a special anniversary model: the Boxster 25 Years. The limited edition is restricted to 1,250 units worldwide and is based on the GTS 4.0 model, which is powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine with 294 kW (400 PS). It makes reference to numerous design features of the Boxster concept car that heralded the success story of the open-top two-seater at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show. The production version was launched in 1996 with hardly any changes in its visual appearance and is now in its fourth generation.
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Porsche 718 Boxster (982) Specs Summary

The move to turbocharged four-cylinder engines was upsetting to some Porsche fans, but the performance numbers proved to support it as the right decision. Power was up, torque was up (a lot) and the improvements on the road compared to the 981 Boxsters were substantial.

Porsche 718 Boxster (2017 - Present ) Technical Specs

Forget the summary, here is every fourth generation Boxster broken out by model year and variant and the technical specifications for each one. Car data nerds, let us unite.

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Porsche 718 Boxster (2017 - Present) Data & Research

We dig into some of the data surrounding the fourth generation Porsche Boxster (982), including production numbers, specifications, chassis numbers, engine numbers, transmission codes and much more.

Porsche 718 Boxster Pictures, Galleries & Videos

The wonderful internet has given us much more access to videos of the latest Porsche Boxster variants than ever before. From POV mountain runs in the latest 718 Spyder to in-depth reviews at the hands of intrepid Youtubers, we have it all. Enjoy our curated videos and galleries of the latest Boxsters.

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Porsche Boxster News & Updates

Recent auctions, awesome review videos, latest model announcements and all the latest news and posts regarding anything to do with the Porsche Boxster.

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