Porsche spices up 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS with naturally-aspirated flat-six

Need a naturally-aspirated, mid-engine Porsche in your life? If you hail from the Cayman and Boxster fanbase and, frankly, could do without a turbo four-pot in your Stuttgart machine, the GTS 4.0 models of the 718 Cayman and Boxster will be right up your alley.

Both the coupe and convertible get a detuned version of the naturally-aspirated, four-liter version of Porsche’s six-cylinder boxer engine found in their beefier Cayman GT4 and Spyder brethren. Mated to a six-speed manual and sending its noise through a sports exhaust system, that 395-horsepower motor rips the given GTS 4.0 model to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 182 mph.

The GTS 4.0 versions’ chassis sit almost an inch lower than stock 718s for better handling, enhanced by Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (which can lower the body by 10 additional millimeters), a mechanical limited-slip differential, active Porsche Torque Vectoring, and Sports Chrono package, which will all come standard on these models.

This is the 21st century, after all, so attention must be paid to sustainability. The GTS 4.0 engine comes with piezoelectric direct fuel injectors, a variable intake system, and adaptive cylinder control that can shut off one of the boxer’s two cylinder banks for greater efficiency. However, once you decide to heck with that, you can enjoy all six naturally-aspirated cylinders screaming to 7800 rpm. In addition to their powerplant, GTS 4.0 models of the Boxster and Cayman also share the sports exhaust from the Spyder and the GT4. Porsche says the system’s saddle-type design allowed plenty of room for a special, GTS-specific color treatment of the car’s lower rear—you guessed it—in black.

Other dark exterior accents, per GTS tradition, include the spoiler lip, the air intake in the Sport Design front apron, front fog light lenses, and taillamp lenses. Staggered 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels in a satin-gloss black wear 235/35 ZR 20 (front) and 265/35 ZR 20 (rear) performance tires. The braking system has been upgraded with cross-drilled rotors and the calipers painted red to add some bling; Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are optional.

The dark highlights are continued on the interior, which features dark Alcantara on the seats’ center panels, the steering wheel, console, shift lever, armrests, and door panels. The 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 also gets the luxury synthetic upholstery on the A-pillar and headliner. Additional trim is, logically, picked out in carbon fiber. An optional GTS interior package gives the choice of Carmine Red- or Chalk-colored interiors, with accents on the tachometer, seat belts, decorative seams, and the Porsche script on the floor mats. Go wild.

A seven-inch high-resolution touchscreen with Porsche Communication Management comes standard, along with an enhanced Track Precision App that accompanies the Sport Chrono package . That smartphone application displays performance data on the PCM screen, while recording it for later review. Online navigation with real-time traffic info, voice control, and Porsche Connect are optional features, as are two premium audio systems from Bose and Burmester.

Both models go on sale in Germany at the end of March. So far there is no word on pricing, or possible availability on this side of the Atlantic.