As with the Macan SUV, Porsche has quietly begun selling lower-powered versions of the Cayman and Boxster in Belgium and Norway, presumably to comply with local regulations regarding emissions and taxes.
However, there’s a big difference in Porsche’s approach this time: instead of using VW Group’s 237PS 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offered in the Macan in the UK and some Asian countries, the Cayman and Boxster get a de-tuned 211PS (208hp) version of the 2.7-liter Boxer engine offered in the base models, on which it produces 275PS and 265PS, respectively.
With the new engine, the Cayman sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 246 km/h (153 mph), while averaging 8.2 l/100 km (28.7 mpg US) and emitting 192 g of CO2 per kilometer.
The Boxster achieves identical economy and emissions ratings, but is 0.2 seconds slower to 100 km/h (6.4 seconds) and has a top speed of 245 km/h (152.2 mph). All figures correspond to the standard six-speed manual transmission. Economy figures for the optional six-speed PDK gearbox are slightly better: 7.7 l/100 km (30.5 mpg US) and 180 g/km of CO2 for both models. In terms of acceleration, PDK models are 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h.
In Norway, the Porsche Boxster 211 is priced from 695,900 crowns (€83,920), making it more than €8,000 cheaper than the 265PS Boxster. In Belgium, however, both 211PS models are priced identically with their more powerful variants.
Story references: Porsche Belgium, Porsche Norway
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