Porsche Plops in a 394-horsepower Flat-6 into the 718 Boxster and Cayman

After fiddling with a turbocharged flat-4 in their mid-engine, two-seater line, Porsche is bringing back the flat-6 to a more“regular” 718 Cayman and Boxster with the announcement of the new GTS 4.0.

Powered by a normally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-6, it makes 394 horsepower and 419 Nm of torque. Best of all—this engine is mated exclusively to a 6-speed manual. A close relative to the engine found in the 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4, the GTS 4.0 models zoom to the century mark in about 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 290 km/h. The additional bite also has a more ferocious bark to match with the Sport Exhaust System.

Controlling all that power, the GTS 4.0 models carry the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sport suspension which lowers the ride height by 20 millimeters compared to other Boxster and Cayman models. Furthermore, it also has Porsche Torque Vectoring with a mechanical limited-slip differential.

Visually, these mid-engine sportscars are equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels (235/35 ZR 20 at the front and 265/35 ZR 20 at the rear). In light of the increased power, the brake system has been enhanced compared to the 718 S and previous 718 GTS models. The cross drilled cast-iron front rotors now measure 350 millimeters in diameter (up from 330 mm previously) and are equipped with red six-piston calipers, while the rear rotor size has been increased to 13 inches (330 mm).

As is typical for GTS models, the spoiler lip, the all-black air intake of the Sport Design front fascia and the redesigned lower rear fascia are kept in black, while the front running light lenses and taillights are tinted.