2018 Porsche 718 Boxster T (982) 2.0L 7AT RWD (300 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Porsche introduced the Boxster T in late 2018 for the 2020 model year, mixing the chassis of the GTS version of this nameplate with the two-liter turbocharged flat-four engine of the regular Boxster.

While most of the advanced technical features of the Boxster were available for the S and the GTS versions, the base model was restricted to just a few. As a result, customers who didn’t want, or could not get, those upgraded models had to rely on the standard suspension and transmission of the base version or have just a few improved parts. But then, the German sports car manufacturer reconsidered its decision and created the 2020 Porsche Boxster T. This vehicle still had the same powerplant as the entry-level version of the roadster but was lighter and with much better suspension featuring PASM. But there was more than just a better suspension.

On the outside, the T version featured a new pair of headlights carried over from the Boxster GTS. Their black background made the four LEDs of the daytime running lights look brighter. Also, the lower bumper was borrowed for the most potent version of the Boxster, featuring a different styling than the one from the base version of the open-top vehicle. It had two oblique slats towards the center that made the air intake between them look angry. At the same time, the side scoops sported the turn signal lamps and the parking lights on their upper sides.

The low-slung profile of the Boxster T couldn’t pass unnoticed, thanks to the 20 millimeters (0.8 of an inch) ground clearance that came with the improved suspension. In addition, a set of decals adorned the car’s fenders and door panels, featuring two black lines and sporting the GTS lettering. These came with the black package that added dark 18-inch alloy wheels. Out back, the smoked LED taillights flanked the black badge of the 718 Boxster T. Ever since the model’s launch in 1996, all the Boxster (non-S) versions came with a single oval or trapezoidal exhaust. This was the first to feature dual pipes, also carried over from its more potent siblings.

Porsche had a long history of creating T-versions, where the letter came from “Tourism.” It targeted customers who wished to travel more with their cars, feel their lightweight construction, and still enjoy a few amenities. The Boxster T followed the same principles. It featured red pull-straps instead of door handles, two-way adjustable seats, and many Alcantara-covered areas, although Porsche named them as Spor-Tex. These materials covered the door cards, the steering wheel, the seats’ center sections, and the gear selector (for PDK-equipped models). Fronting the driver was a unique instrument cluster where the center-mounted tachometer that sported the T letter on the dial. On the center stack, the car manufacturer placed a seven-inch PCM infotainment system, and customers could upgrade to a more powerful sound system made by Burmeister.

The flat-four turbocharged engine of the Boxster T had the same 300 PS (296 hp) as the entry-level Boxster, and Porsche paired it with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed (dual-clutch) PDK gearbox. That helped the automaker lower the production costs of the car, but it still offered enough pleasure for those behind the wheel. All the oomph was sent to the rear wheels via a mechanical locking differential.