Porsche’s 718 Boxster and Cayman Ts are lighter and loaded with standard go-fast bits

While car internet loves the image of a base 911 with black bumpers and steelies, Porsche hasn’t yet decided to sell a 992-generation Carrera in quite so basic form. Porsche is, however, willing to sell some stripped-down, enthusiast-focused 718 models—Boxster and Cayman T.

While you still get a 2.0-liter flat-four turbo with 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque as in the standard 718, the T models come with Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package as standard. The PASM Sport Suspension that’s optional on the S and GTS cars is also part of the deal here, which means the Ts sit 0.78 of an inch lower to the ground, thanks to shorter springs and retuned adaptive dampers. The mechanical limited-slip differential with Porsche Torque Vectoring is also included, along with the 20-inch Titanium Grey wheels off the 911 Carrera S.

The PDK remains optional, but you tick that box, the Cayman and Boxster 718 T reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, regardless of the roof situation. The standard six-speed manual has a short-throw setup, but it’s only “similar” to the gearbox found in the Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder. However, the Ts get a shift pattern embossed in red, and top speed remains at 170 mph. You don’t have to pay extra for the sport exhaust either, which will have a high-gloss black finish on your 718 T.

Inside, the anti-door-handle crowd can enjoy pulling a black fabric loop to exit the car, while those who don’t like the standard Sport Seats Plus package with the Sport Tex fabric can spec both the full buckets, or even Porsche’s 18-way adaptive power seats. But at that point, if weight is your concern, you might as well have door handles.

With a number of trim tweaks kept on the extras list, the 2020 718 Boxster and Cayman Ts are expected to reach U.S. dealers in summer 2020. Porsche is asking (including delivery fees) $67,750 for the 718 Cayman T, while the Boxster T retails for $69,850. That means your performance-oriented entry-level Porsches are still cheaper than their equivalent S models. By a hair.