When: 2016
Why: Because Alfa Romeo is preparing a RWD sports car.

When the Cayman is treated to its midcycle makeover in 2016, it will be joined by an intriguing new sister model dubbed 718, a mid-engine roadster derived from the Boxster. But it’s more than just a special edition like the 2007 RS60. The Porsche 718 (depicted here by our illustrator), we are glad to report, is much more distinctive in appearance and character. A little shorter than the Boxster but sharing the same wheelbase, the new arrival features unique body panels all around and will be powered exclusively by four-cylinder boxer engines.

The 718’s engine will be Porsche’s first new four-cylinder boxer since the demise of the 912. The new turbocharged four-cylinders are in essence based on the existing sixes. According to those in the know, the Porsche 718 will be offered with a 2.0-liter variant rated at 285 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque as well as with a bigger-bore 2.5-liter flat four good for 360 hp and 345 lb-ft. Transmission choices are either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. We expect the 718, like its donor car, to offer razor-sharp electrically assisted power steering, confidence-inspiring brakes, and a suspension tuned for five-star handling.

The design of the tail lamps is, admittedly, an educated guess from our spy illustrator. What we know for sure—and what these vents indicate—is that the engine will sit behind the seats, as God intended.


Besides the unique styling and powertrain, new features are said to include a redesigned interior with lightweight manually adjustable seats and a more basic instrument panel; a canvas top that can be operated with one hand from the driver’s seat; a lighter body with hang-on panels made of steel, aluminum, and polyurethane; a slightly lower windshield, thinner side glass, and a plexiglass rear window; and fixed rollover-protection loops behind the head restraints rather than active pop-up elements.

The original Porsche 718 weighed only 1200 pounds, which was exceptionally light even by 1950s race car standards. Today’s base Boxster tips the scales at 2888 pounds. The unofficial target figure for the 718 is 2625 pounds, which sounds realistic considering the lighter engine and the more basic body structure, roof, seats, and equipment.

The arrival of the 718 won’t be the only change in the Boxster/Cayman universe come 2016. The Cayman has always been (slightly) more expensive than the Boxster, but their positions will reverse with the coming update. In order to create greater separation from the 718, the Boxster will ascend to the top of the trio, its new premium pricing justified with additional equipment. As to the coming face-lift, it isn’t ground-shaking, but it seems safe to expect a modest visual update (bumpers, lights, wheels), a new steering wheel that incorporates a rotary drive-mode selector à la 918, additional driver-assistance systems, improved infotainment offerings, a head-up display, and optional full-LED headlights. Only a few of these goodies will filter down to the 718, however, as it—like the highly focused RS and Clubsport models—follows a less-is-more philosophy.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ recent decision to build a new Alfa Romeo roadster in Italy off its impending premium rear-wheel-drive platform may affect Porsche’s convertible strategy, however. The Mazda Miata–based car has switched from Alfa, which would have been a competitor for the 718, to Fiat Abarth, which will not. Thus, an alternative scenario has Porsche dumping the Boxster, leaving the Porsche 718 at the lower end, and having the Cayman as the sole walk-up to the 911 range.

The original Porsche 718 was built between 1957 and 1962. Like its progenitor, the new 718 is a racy, lightweight roadster. The original 718 is shown here with the Boxster RS60 Spyder, of which 1960 were built as a 2008 model.

According to Car Magazine, the car will be called the 718 Roadster, and will arrive in 2016. The small two-seater will share its platform and wheelbase dimension with the Boxster, but the 718 will have much smaller overhangs and unique style. It will also weigh roughly 260 pounds less than the Boxster, with Porsche targeting a 2,600 pound curb weight.

Power will come from a new flat-four cylinder engine that will be offered in two different flavors, either a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter. Both engines will be turbocharged, with the smaller of the two making 286 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and the larger pumping out 360 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. There will be a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission available.

A canvas convertible roof will be used to help keep weight down, and will be manually operated. On the interior, things will be kept simple, with manually adjusted seats and a simple guage cluster that doesn’t feature the complex screens of cars like the 911 or Audi TT.

To accommodate the new 718 in the lineup, the existing Boxster will be pushed upmarket to sit above the Cayman. That way, the fixed-roof coupe will separate the brand’s two convertibles in the lineup.

Car says that the 718 will cost about £32,000. When it makes it to North America, the car will likely cost somewhere between $40,000 and $45,000.