Porsche Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS score big six too

Porsche has confirmed its big naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine will power more variants of its mid-engined 718 Cayman coupe and Boxster roadster from mid-2020.

The 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 have been revealed overnight, each employing a 294kW version of the 309kW 4.0-litre flat-six in the 718 Boxster Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4.

Best known for its work in the 383kW Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the atmo six represents a significant bump in power from garden-variety Boxster and Cayman variants, which downsized to four-cylinder power in 2015, and the outgoing Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS, which launched with a 269kW 2.5-litre turbo four in 2017.

In Australia, the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 will be priced from $172,400 (plus on-road costs) while the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is priced at $175,200 (plus on-road costs). Both models are available to order now and have been slated for a mid-2020 Aussie arrival -- around June.

That makes them $1400 cheaper than the smaller-engined GTS models they replace, and compared with the upcoming Cayman GT4 and Boxster Sypder, which arrive next month, the new Cayman GTS is some $46,000 more affordable and the Boxster GTS is $33,400 cheaper.

Though it can rev to a shrieking 7800rpm, the 4.0-litre flat-six also has an eye on efficiency, with a cylinder de-activation function, direct fuel-injection via piezo injectors and a variable intake system in its repertoire.

Along with their atmo-six engines, the Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS respectively reward purists with a manual six-speed transmission and sports exhaust system, delivering a claimed 4.5-second 0-100km/h time and a top speed of 293km/h.

Both ride standard on Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sports suspension and sits 20mm lower than donor models. There's also a torque vectoring function (Porsche Torque Vectoring) and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

The GTS matches its sporty underpinnings with the standard fitment of Sport Chrono, bringing functions including the Porsche Track Precision App, plus contrasting interior elements with lashings of Alcantara.

Visually, there are dark, contrasting panels on the spoiler lip, front foglight lenses, rear light lenses and redesigned lower rear bumper, plus an all-black air intake.

Both models ride on 20-inch wheels and feature as standard: 7.0-inch touch-screen with Porsche Communication Management and Sport Chrono, Apple CarPlay, sat-nav, digital radio, cruise control, seat heating, heated multifunction steering wheel, two-zone automatic climate control, light design package, alarm system with interior surveillance and windscreen with grey top tint in the interior.

There's also ParkAssist with reversing camera, Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and automatically dimming wing mirrors included.

How much does the 2020 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman GTS cost?
Cayman GTS 4.0 -- $172,400
Boxster GTS 4.0 -- $175,200
* Prices exclude on-road costs