Car Launches

As the local motoring industry continues to rack up sales records, more and more manufacturers are getting inspired to bring more models to the country. This confidence has also seen the resurgence of the sports car in the Philippines and the latest additions to the segment come from Porsche with the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster.

PGA Cars Inc., the official distributor of Porsche in the Philippines has just unleashed a pair of sports cars. Dubbed the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman, these new offerings from the renowned automaker pay tribute to the winning 718 race cars from the 50's. With these new cars, Porsche continues to build upon its strong foundations as a sports car manufacturer.

During the launch, executives from PGA cars, as well as from Porsche Asia-Pacific, shared to the motoring media the highlights of the roadster and hardtop, along with Porsche's rich motorsports heritage.

MARTIN LIMPERT
Managing Director
Porsche Asia Pacific

"It started in 1953 when we launched the Porsche 718 which was a 2-seater race car actually built for one purpose: to win on the race track. We did so especially in the 1960s, on all over the world, actually, from the Targa Florio to Le Mans and now with the 718 Boxster Cayman, we are reigniting on this heritage. It's a 4-cylinder engine and it's a pure-bred mid-engine sports car concept and actually inherits the gene of the 718, of the original one. "

Starting with the 718 Boxster, it gets a more aggressive look with a reshaped bumper and a sharper profile. Along with that, the 718 Boxster gains newly designed bi-xenon headlights complemented by a pair of daytime running lights. Fenders and side sills are also new for 2016 and the rear section gets smoke-effect tail lights and garnish.

The 718 Cayman meanwhile gets the same styling as the Boxster. Differentiating the 718 Cayman from the 718 Boxster is the fixed metal roof. It too gets the sharper nose, redesigned headlights, new panels and rear section.

After the cars were revealed, the floor was open to questions regarding the new models, along with a discussion of the latest innovations found in each car.

MARTIN LIMPERT
Managing Director
Porsche Asia Pacific

"I think the biggest change we made is under the skin. We have now a turbo-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine in the car. It's, I think, the perfect display of transfer of knowledge from our 919 hybrid, 24 hours Le Mans winner. So actually bringing innovation from the racetrack onto the road. So the engine is definitely one way of more output: you have more driving pleasure, a better performance and at the same time, it's yet efficient."

One major innovation introduced and explained was the new turbocharged engine, a first for the mid-engined Porches. Two new turbocharged, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engines replace the old naturally aspirated six-cylinder mills. The standard 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman are equipped with a 2.0 liter engine with an output of 304 PS and 380 Nm of torque. Opt for the S models and displacement bumps up to 2.5 liters with an output of 355 PS and 420 Nm of torque.

ROBERTO COYIUTO III
President
Porsche Philippines

"Now, Porsche used the 4-cylinder turbo, used to be the 6-cylinder natural aspirated engines. So Porsche is now shifting to smaller engines but with more power and fuel-efficient. The turbo engine helps a lot so it reduces the fuel consumption. Same technology that is used in the 24 hours of Le Mans"

Inside, these models share the same interior layout from the dashboard to the seats. The steering wheel is new and is inspired by Porsche's latest supercar, the 918. Lastly, both are available with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) and Apple Car Play.

The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman are now available in the market.

MARTIN LIMPERT
Managing Director
Porsche Asia Pacific

"Dear viewers, please visit PGA Cars. Experience our attractive and exciting portfolio of Porsche products especially the latest addition, the 718 Boxster and Cayman. Please register for a test drive. Get behind the wheel and get ignited and get goose bumps from driving a Porsche. Thank you!"

ROBERTO COYIUTO III
President
Porsche Philippines

"I'd like to invite everyone to visit our PGA Car showroom at 201 EDSA, Mandaluyong City. You can have a test drive with these two new vehicles."