As the current range-topper, you might expect that the new GTS versions of the Porsche 718 Boxter and Cayman would represent a relatively small proportion of the model line’s sales – but you’d be mistaken.
In fact, Porsche’s North American CEO expects that the GTS could account for as much as 50 percent of all 718 sales in the United States.
“People know what they get if they buy a GTS, which is more sporty, and we certainly hope for more people engaging in our 718s,” said Klaus Zellmer. “The segment overall of where we play with our 718 is a challenging segment, but especially now with the GTS, we see some activities at the shop floor, and orders being taken.”
Automotive News reports that sales of the 718 range have been falling: the Boxster by 14 percent in the first 11 months of this year, the Cayman by 22. Last year – when the new models were introduced – Boxster sales dropped by similar numbers, while the Cayman rose by a (very) modest 0.8 percent. Customers, it seems, have been waiting for the arrival of the more focused and powerful version.
Introduced at the LA Auto Show just last month, the GTS versions of the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman pack a 2.5-liter turbo four good for 365 horsepower – 15 more than the S models and 35 more than the previous Boxster/Cayman GTS.
They’ll represent the pinnacle of the 718 line for the time being, but what enthusiasts are really looking forward to are the arrivals of a new Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder.
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