The new 718 GTS 4.0 models: 6 is the magic number

We thought Porsche's move to put a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine into the Cayman and Boxster was a good idea (cheaper road tax and all that), but for the purist, it was a big no-no.

With that being said, it's a good thing that Porsche is a proactive company and announced that the new 718 Porsche Cayman GTS and 718 Boxster GTS will come with a naturally aspirated six banger (there you go, purist).

Closely related to the engine of the motorsport-derived Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder, the 4.0-litre N/A engine pushes out 394hp and 419Nm of torque, 20hp less than those extreme versions of the Cayman and Boxster. The torque however is similar between them all.

The GTS will only be made available with a six-speed manual transmission and comes standard with a sports exhaust so that you can enjoy the sound of those six cylinders. It doesn't just sound aggressive but can also achieve the sprint to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 293 km/h.

Just like most Porsches in the GTS trim, the cars come with the standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sports suspension, as well as a 20 millimetre lower ride height and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with the mechanical limited-slip rear differential. The new generation of GTS' achieve a remarkable balancing act between dynamic handling and everyday comfort. The standard Sport Chrono package with upgraded Porsche Track Precision App also emphasises the athletic character of the mid-engine sports cars. 

Fitted with 20-inch light-alloy wheels in Satin-Gloss Black, high-performance tyres (235/35 ZR 20 at the front and 265/35 ZR 20 at the rear). The enhanced brake system features cross-drilled discs and red callipers. The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is available as an option. Dark, contrasting details reflect the particularly sporty status of the GTS cars, which applies to the spoiler lip, the all-black air intake of the Sport Design front apron, the front fog light lenses, the rear light lenses and the redesigned lower rear bumper.

The 718 GTS 4.0 models come as standard with Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a high-resolution seven-inch touchscreen and the Sport Chrono package, including the enhanced Track Precision App. This smartphone app, which originates from motorsport, shows performance-related data on the PCM display while in race track mode and records it for later analysis. The online navigation module with real-time traffic information, voice control and Porsche Connect are available as options, as are the BOSE® Surround Sound System and Burmester High-End Surround Sound System.

Given that the previous Cayman and Boxster GTS was brought into Malaysia, we can expect these cars to arrive in Malaysian showrooms sometime in the future.