Porsche Might Be Developing A Six-Cylinder Boxster For The Masses

Porsche is working on a new version of the 718 Boxster and according to our spy photographers, the vehicle will be powered by a six-cylinder engine.

In recent months, a bunch of ‘mysterious’ Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 prototypes were snapped undergoing testing with an intriguing exhaust design indicative of a six-cylinder powered model slightly different than the impending Cayman GT4. This led to speculation that Porsche may be working on a Cayman GT4 Touring model.

Then we have this Porsche 718 Boxster prototype. Just like the aforementioned Cayman GT4 Touring testers we’ve come across, the Boxster features the same dual tailpipe design, indicating that there’s a six-cylinder under the skin.

Is this an affordable six-cylinder Porsche Boxster?

Interestingly, the Boxster pictured doesn’t feature any other parts that differentiate it from lesser four-cylinder versions. This might mean that rather than developing a ‘Touring’ version of the Boxster, Porsche is instead working on a six-cylinder offering that sits above the GTS in its range but doesn’t nibble away at sales of the Cayman GT4 or its forthcoming sibling, the 718 Boxster Spyder.

The current Porsche Boxster range is topped out by the GTS. Powering this model is a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four engine complete with an optimized turbocharger with variable turbine geometry and a larger compressor to increase boost pressure. All up, the car pumps out 361 hp and 317 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque and comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A PDK dual-clutch gearbox is also available.

Our sources inform us that the new Boxster Spyder’s naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder could pump out roughly 425 hp. If that’s the case, the six-cylinder Boxster model pictured could fit nicely between the GTS and Spyder with around 380 hp.

This particular prototype was fitted with a PDK transmission but our trusty spy photographers suggest that a six-speed manual is also likely.