718 Boxster T

Next, on the same day, I test drove the 718 Boxster T. I didn’t know much about what the 718 ‘T’ was before driving it, but to put it simply, it’s a grade that combines the GTS chassis with the base 2.0-liter engine.

It comes equipped with the Sport PASM (20mm lower than normal), Sport Chrono package, 20-inch wheels, and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear differential lock—options not available on the base 718.

Hearing all this, I was very curious and eager to see how it differs from the base 718 Cayman as I got into the Boxster T.

The startup sound is basically the same as the 718 Cayman.

Putting the PDK in D and pulling out of the parking lot, I immediately noticed a clear difference in feel. Compared to the base 718 Cayman, it’s noticeably lighter and smoother. After just a few dozen meters, I realized how different it was. I was amazed at how much suspension alone can change the experience as I picked up speed.

“This is great!” I muttered to myself, cruising along a quiet national road while changing lanes. Despite the 20-inch large wheels on the Boxster T, the ride quality was surprisingly much better than the 18-inch Cayman.

The lowered ride height and 20-inch wheels combined with the Sport PASM deliver truly amazing ride comfort. Moreover, the steering response and feel are just right, making it very easy to drive. The ride quality was so refined I thought it might even surpass the 981’s PASM in completeness.

The engine is the same 2.0-liter flat-four turbo as the 718 Cayman, with the same power. So, Sport mode still suits it better than Normal mode. However, I think the engine sound is a bit different from the 718 Cayman.

The 718 Cayman I drove earlier was equipped with the Sport Exhaust, which raises volume and adds a faint burbling sound when turned on, enhancing the mood. But the Boxster T does not have the Sport Exhaust. (The 2.0-liter 718 models discontinued the Sport Exhaust midway through production.)

Nevertheless, it produces a pleasant sound. If the 718 Cayman’s Sport Exhaust sounds like a “Gwooon” with some muffled tones, the 718 Boxster T’s sound is more like a clear “Kwoon” without muffled tones, if I may describe it that way. The volume is sufficient, and among four-cylinder turbo engines, it’s a very comfortable tone.

My 992 Carrera T at home also sounds very different from other 992 grades, and the same can be said for the 718 ‘T’ models, which surprised me. Both have a clean sound with little distortion, which is easy to understand if you think of it as a sound without muffled tones.

The ‘T’ comes standard with 20-inch wheels. These are optional 20-inch wheels.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try the Boxster T on winding roads, but testing the handling on open roads showed its behavior is very straightforward and its turn-in excellent. It felt just like the GTS series of the 718 and very easy to drive. In that sense, it’s better than the base 718 Cayman, but it’s also true that it offers slightly less driving challenge and fun.

Since it’s a Boxster, I opened the roof and drove. The clear sound unique to the ‘T’ entered the cabin directly, and looking up at the blue sky felt truly wonderful. Once again, I realized how much an open car can improve quality of life.

The 718 ‘T’

According to the dealer representative, very few 718 ‘T’ models have been imported. To their knowledge, the Boxster T I test drove was the only one, and there was only one Cayman T as well. Moreover, at the time of writing this blog, these models have already disappeared from the catalog.

That makes them ultra-rare grades, even more so than the GT3 or Targa.

Interior of the 718 Boxster T. Boxster T Interior Package.

The content is wonderful, equipping GTS-level options that the normal 2.0-liter base model can’t select. The balance is excellent, and combined with the not-too-powerful 2.0-liter engine, it becomes a “718 GTS you can really push” in any situation, which is fantastic.

At first, I honestly thought, “The 718 ‘T’ is just a bargain model at the end of the model cycle, right?” but that’s not the case. It’s truly crafted as a Porsche for the ‘Porsche purists’ who uphold the Porsche tradition of the ‘T’ name.

If you’re looking for a fun Cayman or Boxster with great cost performance in the 718 lineup, the ‘T’ is a smart buy.
Though rare, you can still find them on the used car market now. This is your chance before anyone else discovers this charm!