We were at the new swanky Porsche Center in Sg. Besi yesterday evening for the unveiling of the Porsche Boxster and Cayman GTS models. At time of writing, the GTS duo remains the most powerful variants currently offered for sale in Malaysia. The GTS, short for Gran Turismo Sport, namesake harks back to the legendary 904 Carrera GTS, a road-legal race car dating back to 1963.
Visually, the GTS models can be distinguished by their distinctive appearance which includes a unique front end with smoked bi-xenon headlamps – with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) as standard. There’s also a modified body apron and exterior badges in silky gloss black. As standard, the GTS models come equipped with PASM , Sport Chrono package, sports exhaust, Alcantara trimming on the inside, and 20-inch Carrera S design wheels.
Maintaining the 3.4-litre flat-six engines from the Boxster S and Cayman S, the GTS models have been fine-tuned to deliver even more power and torque with final outputs now 330hp/370Nm for the Boxster GTS and 340hp/380Nm for the Cayman GTS. These figures are an increase of 15hp/10Nm from the Boxster S and Cayman S. Paired with the Sport Chrono package and PDK, the Boxster GTS completes the Zerotohundred sprint in just 4.7 seconds, whilst the Cayman GTS is one-tenth of a second quicker – both maxing out at a terminal velocity of 281km/h and 285km/h respectively.
Prices for the Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS start from RM660,000 and RM700,000 onwards. This includes a 4-year factory warranty along with a 4-year complimentary service maintenance package. The prices stated include all applicable duties, but exclude registration fee, road tax, and insurance. Specifications and prices are subject to change without prior notice, and terms and conditions apply.
And here’s more good news – we’ve already tested the Boxster GTS, so stay tuned for our report!
Sport Chrono package with dynamic transmission mounts
The Sport Chrono package, which is included as standard, is part of the systematic approach to optimising dynamic performance in the Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS. It extends the already broad spread of the two-seatcars between sporty tuning – e.g. for a circuit course – and driving comfort for everyday use. To achieve these goals, the package also includes dynamic transmission mounts. They alter stiffness and damping according to the specific driving situation. With a hard setting of the mounts, for example, rear body roll is minimised when steering into a bend and in a quick series of corners. Its effects are similar to that in racing cars, in which the engine is rigidly mounted to the body with bolts, resulting in more stable and precise handling.
When the Sport Plus button is activated, the standard PASM chassis becomes stiffer and the sport exhaust system is dethrottled. An automatic throttle blip function is implemented when downshifting with the manual transmission. It matches engine revs to the lower gear even better during fast shifting, so that the driver can optimally use engine power or engine braking.
Upgraded sport exhaust system as standard
Another standard GTS component is the sport exhaust system that has been optimally tuned for the GTS. It now offers an even greater range between cultivated sound attenuation, on the one hand, and emotional sound with reduced back pressure on the other. The driver can activate the sport exhaust system via a switch or via the Sport Plus button on the centre console. The engine management system then controls the switching flaps according to the driving situation. The dual black-finished tailpipes on the two GTS models are the identifying exterior feature of the sport exhaust system.
Chassis delivers superior handling
The driving dynamics of the GTS models are exceptional. The interplay of the mid-engine concept and chassis tuning aims to position both the sports coupé and the roadster at the top within their respective classes. A crucial component here is the standard PASM adaptive damping control system with a suspension that is 10 mm lower. The optimally controlled damping improves grip and provides greater driving stability, more comfort, enhanced performance and shorter braking distances.
The driver can select between the two modes “Normal“ and “Sport“ by the PASM button on the centre console. When the Sport Plus button of the Sport Chrono package is pressed, the PASM “Sport“ mode is activated which stiffens the dampers. With PASM, the chassis is 10 mm lower, which also contributes to enhanced dynamic performance, particularly when cornering thanks to a lowered centre of gravity. The excellent driving characteristics are rounded off by large 20-inch wheels, which are continually monitored by the standard tyre pressure monitoring system during driving.
More traction, better vehicle dynamics in bends: Porsche Torque Vectoring
Building upon the capabilities of the PASM suspension, the dynamic potential of the GTS two-seaters can be further tapped by the optional Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system. PTV is intelligent interaction of the rear differential lock with selective braking interventions at individual wheels, which is a supplemental function of the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system. Essentially, PTV improves the vehicle’s steering response, steering precision and agility by targeted brake interventions at the rear wheel located at the inside of a bend.
The braking torque is activated as soon as the steering wheel is turned. The results: Increased performance in bends as soon as a turn is initiated. When the vehicle accelerates out of the bend, the rear differential lock significantly improves traction potential. The mechanical rear differential lock included in PTV has, as in the previous model, an asymmetrical locking action of 22 percent in traction and 27 percent under power.
Typical GTS: independent appearance, high-end features
A Porsche of the GTS category is always easy to identify. The new GTS cars continue the line of the Panamera GTS and Cayenne GTS with individual traits. The most prominent formal difference is the entirely new front-end with modified spoiler lip. The new nose is responsible for the 30 mm longer body. It highlights the extended lines of the two-seater even more. The three larger, black air inlets are also striking. In addition to their two side radiators, both the sports coupé and the roadster have a heat exchanger in the middle.
