Porscheโ Boxster’s Final Combustion Engine Model rolls Off the Line, Signaling Shift for Affordableโค Roadsters
Stuttgart,โฃ Germany โฃ – The โfinal Porsche 718 Boxster powered by a combustion engine has been produced, marking the โฃend of a 30-year era for theโค model credited with revitalizingโค the Porsche brand. With production ceased at the factory, remaining examples areโ limitedโ to dealer โstock within the Porsche GB network.The move signals a โbroader shift in the sports car market, potentially raising the price floor for โขaccessible, open-top driving experiences.
At a price โฃof ยฃ77,300,โฃ the outgoing GTS model โrepresents a โcritically important โขinvestment, more then doubleโ the cost of โขa Mazda MX-5, another popularโ roadster. โคHowever, โขthe Boxster consistently delivers a superior level โof quality and driving poise. While โthe Boxster’s Porsche โInteraction Managementโ (PCM)โ infotainment system isn’t the most modern, its simplicity โis a benefit, and the interior prioritizes physical controls – a welcome feature for many drivers.A manual transmission further โenhancesโ the driving experience, with the gearstick positioned perfectly within the cabin.
Despite losing twoโค cylinders in 2016 dueโ to environmental โregulations, theโ 400PS GTS engine produces a distinctive exhaust note, โdescribed as โคreminiscent of aโค throaty Aston Martin V12. Drivers accustomed to digitally enhanced โexhaust soundsโ will findโ the natural rumble a revelation.
The Boxster’s importance extends beyond โฃits driving โคdynamics. โUnlike many convertibles – suchโ as the Fiat 500, โคMini, and BMW 4-Series – which areโฃ based on โexisting coupe models,โ the Boxster was designed from theโ ground up as a dedicated โroadster. This basic designโข ideology contributed to its balanced handling โคand engaging driving โฃexperience.
Porsche is now focused on an all-electric replacementโ for the 718, anticipated to arriveโ by early 2026.While rumors of a hybrid powertrain persisted, Porsche has confirmed โthe next generation will be exclusively electric. The new EV is expected to offer increased performance and efficiency, but also a higher price point, potentiallyโ leaving a gap in the market for โan โคaffordable, combustion-engined roadster.
the end of the combustion-engined Boxster represents the close of aโฃ chapter, but also a testamentโค to its legacy. โThe model is widely regarded as the car that saved Porsche, and its influence will continue to be feltโ in theโข automotive landscape for โyears to come.
Past Masters
Looking backโฃ at roadster โฃhistory, several models have earned classic status:
Toyota MR2
