Porsche 718
Exotic · Porsche
Porsche 718: The Mid-Engine Boxster and Cayman Line
The 718 badge unites Porsche's mid-engined Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe, reviving a historic racing name for the brand's accessible sports cars.
Top Porsche 718 examples on WhipJury
Porsche revived the 718 name in 2016, applying it to the Boxster and Cayman to honor the 718 race cars of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The pairing shares a mid-engine layout that gives both cars superb balance and handling, long regarded among the best-driving sports cars at their price.
The 2016 update controversially swapped the previous naturally aspirated flat-six for turbocharged flat-four engines, boosting power and efficiency but drawing criticism for a less charismatic sound. Porsche answered enthusiasts by reintroducing a naturally aspirated flat-six in the high-performance 718 Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder, and later the GTS 4.0 models.
The 718 GT4 in particular won acclaim as one of the finest driver's cars Porsche has built, blending a screaming six-cylinder, sharp chassis, and track-ready aerodynamics. The 718 line marks the end of an era as Porsche prepares electric successors.
Frequently asked questions about Porsche 718
More on the Porsche 718
Porsche CFO Jochen Breckner confirmed on the October 27 earnings call that Audi's electric sports car, previewed by the Concept C, will use the platform built for the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman. Audi will pay Porsche for it in 2027.
Porsche revealed the Mission S concept on October 15 with no built-in center screen. A MagSafe mount holds the driver's phone instead, beside five round gauges and push-pull knobs. Editors at The Drive and Motor1 welcomed the choice, and the CEO said a manual is possible.
Porsche says it is developing a mid-engined super sports car platform for a model line above the 911, previewed by the Mission S concept on October 15. The same plan confirms the next 718 Boxster and Cayman will be electric only.
The relationship between color and resale value is real, measurable, and counterintuitive enough that it's worth understanding before you make a decision you'll live with for several years.