PCA Spotlight: An in-depth look at the 718 Boxster S

During a visit to the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta last week, about a dozen 718 Boxster and Boxster S models had just arrived for dealer training, so we took the chance to speak with Porsche Cars North America’s Andrew Lennon about some of the technical details about the car.
Lennon, Sports Car Program Project Manager for PCNA, explains in the video the path air takes starting with the side intakes, through the engine, and finally out the tailpipes. As this is Porsche’s first flat-four since the 1976 912E and 914-4, a lot has changed in the Boxster’s engine bay since it was equipped with the venerable naturally aspirated flat six.

[@DriverGuy23]

People complain about the cost of Porsches, but I think you’re getting everything & more for what you’re paying when you buy one. The technology & engineering is like no other manufacturer, hands down.

[@miroslavm2553]

Very well presented! These things inside and under new 718 are something I was always eager to see and to know about. Many thanks for making this video and for sharing it. Good job.

[@Malcom2345]

Bought one of these, incredible car, so interesting to see what makes this baby purrrr like she does, awesome and thanks 👍

[@engineerrb]

Porsche’s first flat-four since the 1976 *912E* and 914-4, great to have them back!

[@BenDover-wu7ed]

Yes quite,especially if you want to sound like an old VW Beetle

[@JD0509]

Thanks a lot for posting this review. You asked really good questions specially about VTG and exhaust system which very new fir this car.

[@rschotsal1]

Great post! Finally some vision of my cars engine components it’s been 20 years lol

[@RockbertoRocks]

I wish this analysis wound last longer... So much technology to discuss and enjoy

[@jamessuttie1261]

Very well done. I have 718 Cayman S on order. Can't wait!

[@ormand3000]

Both of you should have bought a CPO 981s

[@kmartin971]

Dolphins101 that’s what I did!

[@suechandler]

How did he get the back portion of the top up to see the top of the engine?

[@curvetrcalinga]

Does the new flat four throttle it via intake valves or still use a throttle body? Also with all these direct injection motors, how does it handle carbon build up as the engine gets old. Subaru flat 4s have an additional injectors by the intake manifold downstream. I've had an X5 direct injection motor and had 145K miles on it without an issue, maintained on schedule/properly, and I could tell the car lost some power, it probably has a lot of carbon deposits.

[@Trades46]

Interesting that the Porsche Flat 4 uses UEL exhaust headers, akin to the outgoing Subaru EJ series motors (their newer FA series uses EL headers). I guess this explains their sound they generate which feel like the WRX STI.

[@Encourageable]

It doesn’t sound like a Subaru though…

[@tinytkevo12]

Got a boxter s on order

[@diegofinance]

I've heard that Porsche is playing engine sounds through the speakers that are behind the seats (that are placed there just for that) Can you please check if those sounds are recorded or there is some sort of amplifier, and explain more about this system ? I assume Porsche is hiding this from the customers because there are no reviews about this issue.

[@corymartin4170]

So does the passenger side inlet draw in fresh air for the intercooler? He didn't answer your question regarding that.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Cory, yes, the air intake on the passenger side provides fresh air to the air-to-water intercooler. Unfortunately his description of that didn't make it into the video, but starting at 2:52 you can see a graphic illustrating how intake makes its way through the system, including the intercooler from the passenger side.

[@corymartin4170]

Thank you, great video. Keep them coming.

[@Jmoneypoprocks]

Great information, I am still a big fan of the flat 6 over the turbo 4 cyclinder for the boxster or Cayman.

[@Bangkok-ik1fp]

Do all Porsche dealers disassemble each vehicle to this extent for a pre delivery inspection? If the paint on those calipers gets chipped from a tech banging the wheel rim against it during removal/install, how would you handle that?

[@ormand3000]

2112 Bangkok if the caliper is chipped, the car is rejected entry at the dealership and the entire car is returned to Germany to be sold as CPO.

[@sugarsaint]

at no point did he explain how that intercooler is cooled !! i assume it's not a water charge cooler?

[@IanBarton86]

Unequal length exhaust manifold!!

[@stijnvandamme76]

IT looks like most of the package is exhaust, so much tubing and can's, nucking futs

[@kmartin971]

Did they tell buyers there is piped in fake exhaust noise?

[@ProjectFairmont]

More torque and HP than the Boxster 981, but the flat-ulance 4 just doesn’t sound as good as the normally aspirated sweet flat 6.

[@BrandonKent136]

LOL he called the catalytic converter the "catalyst"

[@DonziGT230]

The guy never answered how the intercooler works.

[@anonymoususer6683]

sloppy welding on the exhaust

[@seivaDsugnA]

I've welded exhausts much sloppier.

[@utubejoe11]

If that sounds "like a Porsche" it sounds like a sick Porsche.

[@verygood7155]

If the sound it makes is desired by Porsche I personally think they goofed. Virtually every other turbo four on other sporty cars sound better than this.

[@BenDover-wu7ed]

Shame they sound like an old VW Beetle.Thank god they've gone back to the flat 6 now.718's will be worth peanuts now

[@123antimiro]

Mayby you are deaf when hear VW Beatle or you just hate 4cylinder unit and you are being silly

[@Uniprnt]

Guys the 718 does not sound any where as nice as the flat 6-the 718 is weak

[@ShakaLakaMTB]

I couldn't agree more!