After a brief transatlantic delay, the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition has finally landed on US shores, ready to woo the purists one last time before its electrified transformation. However, some reports suggest Porsche might still offer petrol engines in its next-generation Boxster series.
The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Styler Edition brings along the classic open-top roadster motoring that’s been thrilling drivers for generations. While its ‘modest’ 300-hp 2-liter flat-four is no match Jaguar’s F-Type sonorous V8 (or its power), it makes up for it with go-kart-like agility and Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch transmission that’s second to none. Luckily, a six-speed manual is also on the cards for those who prefer to row on their own — while they still can.
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What does “Style Edition” bring to the table?
Porsche has draped this swan song in exclusive aesthetic flourishes, starting with available eye-catching Ruby Star Neo paint, a vibrant homage to the 1990s 964 Carrera RS’s Rubystone Red 916. This hue, paired with contrasting white or black decals on the hood and flanks, ensures the car stands out even in Monaco traffic. The fabric soft top now bears a stealthy “Boxster” script, while 20-inch Spyder wheels (in gloss black or white) and high-gloss exhaust tips add a touch of menace.
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Inside, the Style Edition leans into its limited-run status with illuminated door sills, contrast stitching, and embossed Porsche crests on the headrests, a subtle reminder this isn’t just another drop-top. Analog purists will appreciate the retention of physical controls and analog gauges, but Porsche hasn’t skimped on modern comforts: heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and Bose surround sound come standard.
Price-wise, it begins at $83,295. While dedicated Porsche aficionados will likely be willing to pay for the timeless thrills associated with the brand, it’s a somewhat steep price point considering the lack of any performance enhancements.
Powered for precision
Tucked behind the seats is a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four that grunts a humble 300 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. While the headline figures may seem quite modest, Porsche’s 7-speed PDK dual-clutch ensures the rear wheels are fed with enough power to sprint from 0 – 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
Opt for the six-speed stick shift, and that time increases slightly to 5.1 seconds, a sacrifice we’ll gladly pay for the satisfying click of rowing through gears. Keep at it, and the 718 Boxster will move onto a 171-mph top speed.
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However, despite the ‘rookie’ numbers, the Boxster finds purpose in a different kind of performance, one that’s measured in smiles per hour, not miles per hour. So, while the optional PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) ensures the Boxster stays planted through hairpins, the ‘Porsche Torque Vectoring’ sharpens precision around corners.
Of course, with great power comes great responsibility, and the 718 Boxster doesn’t disappoint. With massive 350mm rotors gripping the wheels, the braking performance remains fade-free, ensuring you stop as confidently as you go.
A classic Porsche affair
Inside, the Porsche sticks to its guns, delivering a cabin that feels refreshingly analog in an increasingly digital world. While the focus is on the driver, the cabin isn’t without modern amenities. These include Porsche’s infotainment system, powered by a seven-inch touchscreen that offers controls for Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto, though) and sat-nav but falls short of the kind of seamless integration and interface found in newer systems.
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Porsches are known for their ergonomics, and the Boxster lives up to that hype. The steering wheel feels perfectly sized and weighted, while the pedals are ideally positioned for the heel-toe shifting you so secretly yearn for.
While on the topic of ‘man and machine’, also worth mentioning are the body-hugging 14-way powered sport seats that keep you snug during sharp cornering and relaxed on long cruises.
Interior materials are, unsurprisingly, top-notch. So, the use of brushed aluminum and colored contrast stitching reinforces the air of exclusivity without being over the top.
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A stylish send-off
Externally, the 718 Boxster Style speaks fluent ‘Porsche’ but with a louder, bolder dialect. So, the basic design – smooth curves, muscular haunches, and the unmistakable Porsche profile – remains largely unchanged, while the Style Edition upgrades give it a more distinct personality.
Up front, the Boxster retains its low-slung nose and horizontally stretched headlamps, which lend it an unflinching, sharp-eyed precision.
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Moving down the flanks, the design feels clean and athletic, with taut body lines and sculpted sides that flow seamlessly from the front to the rear. Around the back, the twin tailpipes give the Boxster a more purposeful stance, emitting a flat-four sonata that’s best enjoyed with the top down, of course.
Final thoughts
As Porsche shifts towards electrification, the 718 Boxster Style Edition serves as a nostalgic nod to its analog heritage. While not the fastest or most tech-forward, the 718 Boxster reminds us why Porsche excels at creating ‘the driver’s car’. Call it old-school, but it’s old-school done exquisitely.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog