718 GTS 4.0 Announcement

The other day, the 718 GTS model equipped with a 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six engine, the “GTS 4.0”, was announced, and it quickly became a hot topic online. Until now, the currently available 718 GTS has been a four-cylinder model, and I thought only the 718 Spyder and GT4 had six-cylinder engines, but now the six-cylinder NA engine has made a comeback in the GTS lineup.

Since various articles have already covered the specs of the GTS 4.0 in detail, I won’t go too deep here, but here are some highlights:

・Maximum output is 400ps (35PS more than the four-cylinder GTS)
・0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds
・Top speed of 293 km/h
・Transmission initially offered only as a 6-speed manual
・Japanese market currently only right-hand drive
・As a GTS model, “Sport Chrono Package,” “PASM Sports Suspension,” and “Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV)” come standard
・Exterior features signature black design elements unique to the GTS
・Equipped with a GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) (Japanese spec unknown)
・The Japanese price for the Boxster GTS 4.0 is ¥11,110,000

That’s about it.

From the Perspective of a 981 Boxster Owner: “GTS 4.0”

On the morning the “GTS 4.0” was announced, my husband said,

They just released the GTS 4.0, but I imagine it must feel complicated for those who already bought the 718 GTS. I know someone who bought the 718 Boxster GTS, but…

I replied, “Yeah, Porsche really should think a bit more about the timing of these releases…” and he said,

No, Porsche often does this kind of thing. It’s like a late reveal move, happens all the time, lol. Maybe the four-cylinder 718 sales were worse than expected… or maybe longtime Porsche fans just weren’t that interested in the four-cylinder.

By the way, my husband currently owns a 918 Boxster GTS, so I asked him how he feels about this new “GTS 4.0” announcement. He said,

If I were buying a Boxster or Cayman brand new for the first time now, I think this GTS 4.0 would be really great. If I didn’t already own a 981 Boxster GTS, I would definitely buy it.
The main reason is, of course, the naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine. On top of that, the 718’s robust chassis, and it’s more street-focused than the GT4 or Spyder. It’s perfect. Plus, it’s a GTS. Production numbers probably won’t be huge, so resale value should be good too. I think it’s an excellent car.

When I asked, “So, will you trade up?” he said,

No, I won’t, lol. The biggest reason is that it’s a right-hand drive manual. That’s a dealbreaker. I have no reason to sell my left-hand drive 981 Boxster and pay extra to switch to a right-hand drive manual. (If it were a right-hand drive PDK, that’d be totally fine.)
Also, I just can’t give up the engine sound of the 981 Boxster GTS. That sound is amazing. Personally, I think it’s the best Porsche engine sound of the last decade—a true masterpiece. Whether cruising around town or pushing it on winding roads, it sounds fantastic.
And with 330PS perfectly manageable on Japanese winding roads, this car delivers happiness beyond pure performance. So I don’t want to pay extra just to switch.

Makes perfect sense.

I also really love the engine sound of my current 981 Boxster GTS—it moves me to tears—so I was relieved and thought, “I hope my husband keeps owning the 981 forever.”

That said, if any of our acquaintances end up buying the “GTS 4.0,” I’d be thrilled to ride shotgun sometime, lol.

*Image source: Porsche Newsroom “The new 718 GTS 4.0 models: driving pleasure for all the senses”