The Porsche Boxster and Cayman will receive new nomenclature for the 2016 model year. The Boxster will be known as the 718 Boxster and the Cayman will be known as the 718 Cayman. The 718 designation will align the two models in the range, creating a five-tier structure. Porsche will also downsize both models, fitting them with new four-cylinder engines.
The 718 badge was first used on an open-cockpit racer built by Porsche between 1957 and 1962. It succeeded the Porsche 550 although was better known as the “RSK”. It had a celebrated racing career, receiving first in class and third overall at Le Mans as well as overall victory at the Targa Florio and two European Hill Climb Championship’s. Porsche hope that the Boxster and Cayman will channel the historic 718 for future generations.
The 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman will get identical flat four-cylinder, turbocharged ‘boxer’ engines with the Boxster repositioned at a higher price level than the Cayman. Effectively both cars will form part of the same range to be introduced during 2016.
To reassure fans of the existing six-cylinder models, Porsche points out that the 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car also features a 2 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That car won the 24 Hour of Le Mans and both the manufacturer and driver’s championship titles in the WEC World Endurance Championship.
Unfortunately this is the limit of the information we have so far. Once we know more, we will update you.
