Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 2.5 vs GTS 4.0 - The surprising reason I couldn't live with the GTS 4.0 | 4K

I picked up my Porsche 718 Boxster 2.5 GTS last year and absolutely love it but I get lots of comment about how much better a flat 6 Boxster is and that I should have bought the 4.0 GTS. In this video I put the two cars head to head and compare everything from sound to performance. After spending time with the 4.0 GTS do I regret my choice ? Turns out I couldn't live with the flat six GTS and you might be surprised at the reason !

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Video Contents
00:00 - You should have bought the 4.0 GTS Ped !
01:06 - What is the difference ?
03:52 - Rear end styling
05:35 - The Noise - Flat 4 vs Flat 6
08:43 - 0-60 Tests
11:52 - Interior differences
13:42 - Driving - Flat 4 vs Flat 6
19:35 - Why I can't live with the 4.0 GTS !

#PetrolPed #Automotive #Porsche718Boxster

[johnwatt]

There's another aspect to the 6 cylinder engine. Some people are complaining that it's a bit characterless below 4000rpm but I actually think this is a huge virtue. Below 4000, the engine is silky smooth and quiet so you can waft around in peace and harmony touring or watching the world flow by. It slinks around like a Bentley, soothing frayed nerves in a wash of tranquility. But...floor it and rev it and it comes alive howling like a banshee and screaming from apex to apex. So, this is actually two cars in one. A creamy tourer and slot car all in one. My brother has a Honda S2000 which requires thrashing and revving at all times. Rewarding in its own way but you finish a drive like a caffeine junky, sweating and shaking. It's so good to have a choice. The joy of six.

[charlieh]

Interesting comparison, I can’t say I agree that they both sound good. I had a cayman 2.5GTS, and now have a 718 GT4, the engine in the 2.5 is definitely effective, punchy at low speeds as you say, but very monotone and it never put a smile on my face like the flat 6 does. Also, the PDK 4.0 is said to do 0-60 in 4 seconds, the 4.5 second time is for the manual. It’s fine to defend the car you bought though and the cabin size comparison, that’s really interesting, not something you’d expect!

[shankarbalan]

i just rented and enjoyed a Porsche Boxster 718 S, Flat 4, 350 HP, 2023 model in PorschePlatz Stuttgart 2 weeks ago and I loved the experience driving about the winding hill roads of the Black Forest region. The engine tune and exhaust sounds rorty and nice. Anyway I enjoyed it.

[mullals]

The reason people often say the Porsche flat six doesn't sound like much until you get it up in the revs is due to the exhaust valve control settings. Even in sport or sport + mode with the exhaust valves "open" they will still close between something like 1-4 thousand revs. A $500 valve controller and 20 minutes solves that issue. Then you get that lovely noise even when going around town. The 4.5 seconds to 60 you are looking at is for the manual GTS 4.0. The PDK is .1 seconds quicker to 60 (stated) than the 2.5l model. The sounds difference is something that's completely personal and its frustrating to hear all the reviewers say it sounds like garbage. It certainly doesn't. The pops and crackles give it a character the 4l doesn't have. You have an absolutely lovely car. Im expecting a C GTS 4.0 in the summer so thank you for helping pass the time until then.

[jonrv]

I bought my 2018 718S Boxster 4 months ago. Always wanted one and saw mine at Porsche center south London and fell in love with it. Its heavily specked and probably paid over the top but it is a beautiful car. I had no idea how many people really dislike the 4 cylinder and like you say most of them have probably never driven one! I think mine has a great sound and with the UK roads as they are now I wouldn't want anything faster! Great review Pete.

[boston]

Thank you for making this comparison. I own a 718 Boxster S. it has been a great little car! Having said that I have been looking to upgrade to 718 GTS 4.0, however, I can’t justify the price difference. There is no question that the GTS 4.0 is a better sounding engine. However, I don’t normally drive over 5000 RPM on my daily commute to enjoy the sound. If I did that, I would surely get many speeding tickets! Also, I think a 2.5-liter engine is an easier car to live with given its low-end torque characteristics. So, for now I’ll keep my 2.5 liter. Thanks again for taking the time to do the comparison!

[jasonpowell]

I'm over 6ft and own a 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. I have no issues with the cabin space and seating position.

[dafrasier]

my 2017 Boxster S, pdk, goes round and round very well. "23.07.2017 Nordschleife 718 Boxster S, 8.29 BtG" 242 laps, no crash.

[mikemccleve]

That’s insane. Mind blowing actually. I can’t believe I haven’t heard about a smaller cabin before now. Obviously it’s not advertised. Crazy. Thanks for sharing as this is significant. But for me, the extra $20K is also a deal breaker

[pcwilliams.]

Great review! I have the GTS 4.0 Cayman, and I love it for all the reasons you said (even though you prefer your 2.5 Boxster!). Something you didn't really touch on is the handling - I guess because it is just sublime in both cars - but I wondered if you noticed much difference in the corners with the extra weight of the 4.0? It was a fascinating conclusion you came to - something that would never have occurred to me as a shorter man! Surely Porsche have a solution to the size issue? Something I really like about your videos is that you're always looking for the good even in the things you don't prefer - the tone is always very positive. Also the fact you come across as humble and very grateful you get to do this. Thank you.

[thomasz]

2:40 The weight difference it wrong. Porsche quotes the PDK GTS 4.0 at 1435 Kg and GTS 2.5 PDK at 1405Kg which make it about 30kg heavier. A couple of cylinders and less a turbo can't weigh over 121kg more, that doesn't make sense. Interesting comment about the leg room though. I wonder if the carbon bucket seats creates more legroom. Between the sport plus seat and the bucket seats the bucket seats always look like it has more room behind the seats, not sure if that'll translate to leg room.

[panvomacka]

I love your honesty in the review. You suppose something, put it to a test, then when surprised by the result you are not afraid to adjust your opinion. While on camera. Quite rare. You have my sub!

[Scoharr]

People forget that the 981 range was widely criticized for lacking in torque (prior to the GT4), and the turbo four 718s solved that issue (despite sounding more like a Subaru). At 6'2"", my choice is clear. Great comparison review!

[CarChatPodcast]

I'm actually amazed by the seating position difference. That is just something you'd never expect!

[kkya]

Great comparison 👍🏽 I never saw that last reason coming and it makes a lot of sense!

On getting cruise control retrofitted - something to bear in mind is that if you're doing longer motorway runs, then the cruise control doesn't utilise the car's "coasting" function well, which can result in notably worse fuel economy on long runs. I have cruise in my 981 Cayman GTS, but rarely use cruise on the motorway for this reason. (Apart from avg speed zones)

I appreciate that these obviously aren't the kinds of cars we buy for fuel economy! But every little helps 😊

[BubuBarong]

Hi mate great video! 718 Spyder owner here. The weights are wrong and so is the 0-60 for the GTS 4.0 PDK. The GTS 4.0 has a 7800 RPM redline. Cheers from Italy and keep up the good work!

[tedjohnson]

6’5”, really appreciate your reporting this discovery! And I’m actually surprised at how small the sound difference was b/n the two engines, I thought it would be more pronounced.

[danielporteous]

I have a BMW Z4 and made the mistake of buying without driving it first. I have the exact issue you mentioned with the leg room. I just can't get the seat far back enough so within an hour I end up with cramp and have to get out. I've had the car less than a year and already having to sell because it just takes the enjoyment out of using it. Your point about not buying something without driving is a very good one!

[alastairharris]

no contest. flat 6 with a manual gearbox - heaven on earth!

[MacellaioNero]

Just a quick FYI, there's a few inaccuracies in this. The engines are the same between GTS 4.0, GT4 and Spyder, the weight stats you quoted aren't correct - you quoted the minimum AND manual weight figures for the GTS 2.5 PDK (i.e. weight saving options, carbon buckets, etc.), and the GTS 4.0 PDK figure was way, way out - the difference between the two PDK cars would have been closer to 30kg, not 121kg. The rear diffuser of the GTS 4.0 isn't the same as the Spyder, the Spyder shares it's rear diffuser with the GT4 though. And as others have mentioned, Porsche quotes the GTS 4.0 PDK 0-60 at 4 seconds, but it has been tested at well below 4 by other journalists. Otherwise, great vid - the leg length issue was a big surprise!