Is the Porsche 718's engine turbocharged?
3 Answers
Porsche 718's engine is turbocharged. Turbocharging is a technology that uses exhaust gases generated by internal combustion engine operation to drive an air compressor. The main function of turbocharging is to increase the engine's air intake, thereby enhancing the engine's power and torque, making the car more powerful. When an engine is equipped with a turbocharger, its maximum power can increase by 40% or more compared to when it is not equipped with one. The Porsche 718 is a mid-engine sports car that utilizes two types of engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. In terms of suspension, the Porsche 718 uses MacPherson independent suspension for both its front and rear.
Recently I drove a 718 Cayman, and its engine is indeed turbocharged. Porsche replaced the entire 718 series with four-cylinder turbocharged engines after the 2016 facelift, phasing out the old naturally aspirated system. This gives me a more immediate power response when driving, with significantly stronger low-end torque, making city starts or highway overtaking quite smooth. However, there is occasional slight turbo lag during initial acceleration. Compared to the older naturally aspirated engine, the turbocharged design primarily aims to improve efficiency and meet environmental standards, offering better fuel economy on long drives, though extra care is needed during maintenance to prevent turbo components from overheating. Overall, this change reflects the trend in modern sports cars, delivering noticeable performance improvements.
I've been driving the 718 Boxster since last year, and I can confirm the engine is turbocharged. Porsche made this upgrade to make the whole driving experience more powerful. The turbocharging brings more horsepower, but the driving might not be as linear as naturally aspirated engines, with occasional slight lag. This design makes the car more fuel-efficient, reduces emissions, and maintains stable performance during high-speed cruising. If you're considering buying this car, the new turbo version holds its value decently, though it requires slightly more frequent engine checks. When chatting with friends, we all agree this change is quite good.
