Porsche launches new Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS, Macan SUV

THE PORSCHE Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS were among the top attractions in Auto Beijing

Porsche unveiled the new Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS at Auto China, aka the Beijing auto show. The new iterations of Porsche’s mid-engine sports cars represent the most powerful versions of these nameplates. The initials, marked on the new cars in gloss black badges, stand for Gran Turismo Sport, used by Porsche only for outstanding performance versions. The name was first used by the 1963 904 Carrera GTS, essentially a road-legal race car. The Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS are thus suited to everyday driving as well as track use.

The 3.4-liter, mid-mounted flat-six has been retuned to produce 15 more horsepower. The Boxster GTS now generates 330 HP, while the Cayman GTS has 340 HP available. The engines are naturally-aspirated for quick response, and rev to 7800. With the optional PDK double-clutch transmission, the Boxster GTS goes from 0 to 100 kilometers in 4.7 seconds, with the Cayman GTS clocking in at 4.6 seconds. Top speed for the Boxster GTS manual is 280 kilometers per hour, and 285 kph for the Cayman GTS manual.

THE NEW Porsche Macan took center stage at the Porsche booth in Beijing

Porsche’s Sport Chrono package comes as standard on the two new cars, allowing the cars to be driven on the track while still providing decent comfort on normal roads thanks to dynamic transmission mounts. The exhaust system also gives a balance between a respectable level that won’t wake the neighbors and a proper sporty exhaust sound. The system changes character using the Sport Plus button on the center console. Porsche Active Suspension Management is standard, allowing the choice of sportier or more comfortable ride settings. The adaptive damping lowers the suspension by 10 millimeters to improve stability and handling. An optional torque vectoring system uses the rear differential lock with brake activation to improve handling.

The GTS cars can be identified with black-chrome dual tailpipes, 20-inch Carrera S wheels, revised front and rear fascias, smoked bi-xenon headlights with dynamic lighting system, and of course the black badges. Inside, the cars are equipped with sports seats and leather interior with Alcantara steering wheel, headliner and center console. GTS trim is embroidered on the headrests and printed on the tachometer.

MATHIAS Muller introducing the new Porsche Boxster GTS

US prices for the pair are $73,500 for the Boxster GTS, and $75,200 for the Cayman GTS.

No less than Matthias Muller, president and CEO of Porsche AG, introduced the cars at the Beijing auto show. Porsche also rolled out the new Macan compact SUV. The Macan comes in S, S Diesel and Turbo versions in China.

The standard Macan comes with a turbocharged, 2-liter engine with 237 HP.

Also on the stands were the Panamera long wheelbase version, 919 hybrid Le Mans challenger, 911 RSR race car, and the 918 Spyder hybrid supercar. China is the second largest market for Porsche after the United Staes, and is now larger than the home German market, with 37,425 cars sold in 2013.

Photos by Jason K. Ang