2016 PORSCHE 718 weight

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Sports car fascination
718 RS 60 Spyder in front of Porsche Werk 1
sometimes far superior on paper. At
the Targa Florio, for instance, notorious
for its tight and t wist y mountain roads.
At the 12 Hours of Sebring. At numerous
hill-climbing events. And, naturally, at
the Mecca of racing: Le Mans. It was a
winning streak that elevated Porsche from
underdog to giant killer. And to the darling
of the fans.
Of course, every legend also begs a big
question: what comes next? Our answer:
we keep going – on the roads beyond the
racetracks. And we write a new chapter in
the history of the legend. Right here, right
now.
So, in 1953, the first ever Porsche
designed specifically for motor racing
made its debut on starting grids around
the world. And, in doing so, it paved the
way for a series of pure-bred mid- engined
race cars: from 1957, it was followed by
the 718 RSK Spyder – a fundamentally
revised version of the 550 A Spyder; the
718 RS 60 Spyder; the 718 W-RS Spyder;
and, ultimately, the 718 GTR – the coupé
gracing the Spyder line-up.
By the mid-60s, they would go on to

claim over 1,000 racing victories – and
convincingly outperform a field that was Every legend has a beginning. Strictly
speaking, the legend of the 718 began
back in 1953 with a simple but audacious
plan: to take the offensive. Not least on
the racetrack.
A rousing statement of intent followed
by action: with a four-cylinder horizontally
opposed engine, with a consistent
lightweight construction and with a
cornering performance never witnessed

before. The 550 Spyder. A sports car
that defied the motorsport standards of
its time – because our engineers simply
cannot be content with the status quo.
Only those who know their roots
can develop with a flourish.
The 718 era.

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Sports car fascination
driving dynamics: the concentrated power
of the engine is transmitted directly to
the rear axle.
How do we best exploit this power? By
systematically reducing the weight of the
vehicle. And by optimally distributing the
weight left over. The compact construction
of the car as a t wo -seater plays an
important part in this respect. And that’s
without sacrifices in terms of comfort
and everyday practicality.
However, as soon as the mid-mounted
engine starts, there’s really only one thing
that matters: the world with its countless
twists and turns. And you – right in the
middle of it all.
What is it that makes the new 718 models
so special? Their performance, their
handling, their design and the generous
amount of space afforded by t wo luggage
compartments. Above all: a mid-engine
concept that makes all this possible in the
first place.
The engine is positioned no further than
30 cm behind the driver. Effect number
one: the resounding thump on the back.
Effect number two: the extraordinarily
dynamic cornering capabilities, thanks to
the car’s low and central centre of gravity.
The horizontally opposed arrangement of
the engine’s cylinders also helps to reduce
oscillations, which has a positive impact
on smooth running. Another plus for
The middle ground:
not necessarily a position of compromise.
The principle of the mid-engined sports car.

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Sports car fascination
sheets of steel selected by our engineers
are very thin, but nevertheless extremely
stiff. Aluminium is used extensively in
areas such as the underbody, doors,

luggage compartment lid and rear hatch.
This high degree of material efficiency
has a positive effect not only on the
overall weight of the car, but also on fuel
economy. And that’s without sacrifices
as far as safet y is concerned.
Faster. Further. More efficiently. In the
creation of a sports car, every gramme
makes the difference. So it’s only logical
that lightweight construction has a major
role to play in the new 718 models.
And yet, light weight construction is not
intelligent unless the right material is used
in the right place. For without body rigidity,
there is no agility. That’s why the bodyshell
of the new 718 models is made from a
composite of aluminium and steel. The
Not everything that’s light
is taken lightly.
The principle of lightweight construction.

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Chassis
Porsche Stability Management (PSM).
The new 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman
models are equipped with enhanced
Porsche Stabilit y Management (PSM) – an
automatic control system for maintaining
stability at the limits of dynamic driving
performance.
PSM improves traction under acceleration
on inconsistent road surfaces. The result
is a high level of driving stabilit y and
safety – and extraordinary agility at the
same time.
Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM).
Optional PASM, the electronic damping
control system, continuously adjusts the
damping force on each wheel, based on
current road conditions and driving style.
In addition, the body sits 10 mm lower.
PASM has t wo modes, which can be
selected using a separate button on the
centre console: ‘Normal’, which is a blend
of performance and comfort, and ‘Sport ’
where the setup is much firmer.
The results are tangible: increased driving
stability, improved comfort and enhanced
performance.
Anyone can follow the straight and narrow.
Only the corner is the true test of mettle.
Only in the corner does a sports car really
become a sports car. So it’s all the more
important to have a chassis that can
master any sporting challenge. And be a
match for the high power output of the
engine.
The axle components are for the most
part made of aluminium, which keeps the
vehicle weight and unsprung masses low.
The wide track, long wheelbase and
specific chassis construction help to
deliver particularly precise and agile
handling.
Expansive plains. Endlessly long, straight highways.
Best to steer clear.
Chassis.

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Chassis
Chassis
1 18 - inch Boxster wheel
2 18 - inch Cayman wheel
3 19 - inch Boxster S wheel
4 19 - inch Cayman S wheel
5 20 - inch Carrera S wheel
6 20-inch Carrera Classic wheel
7 20-inch Carrera Sport wheel
8 20 - inch 911 Turbo wheelRolling resistance and t yre weight are
comparatively low, which helps to reduce
fuel consumption. Tyre Pressure
Monitoring (TPM) improves safety.
A selection of 20 -inch wheels is available
in our range of options.
On all 718 models, the wheels are light
alloys – a sports car hallmark. An extra
half an inch has been added to the width
of the rear wheels. This provides greater
stability and overall enhanced cornering
performance.Wheels.
The new 718 Boxster and Cayman models
each come equipped with distinctively
styled 18-inch wheels. The S models are
fitted with 19-inch wheels introducing two
new rim designs.

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Safety and environment
1 Brake of the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman
2 Brake of the 718 Boxster S and 718 Cayman S
3 Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB)
brake discs, which are approximately
50 % lighter than standard discs of a
similar design and size. This results in
better roadholding and increased comfort,
particularly on uneven roads, as well as
greater agility and a further improvement
in handling.
PCCB features six-piston monobloc
aluminium fixed brake calipers on the front
axle and four-piston units at the rear –
all painted in yellow – to provide braking
forces that are considerably more powerful
and, crucially, are exceptionally consistent.
PCCB enables shorter braking
distances in even the toughest road
and race conditions. Safety under
high-speed braking is also improved
thanks to its excellent fading stability.
Another advantage of PCCB is the
extremely low weight of the ceramic
The pedal travel is short and the biting
point precise. The brake discs are cross-
drilled and internally vented, which helps
to provide improved wet braking and
optimum cooling.
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake
(PCCB).
Proven in motorsport, the Porsche
Ceramic Composite Brake
(PCCB) is
available as an option. On the new
718 models, the cross-drilled ceramic
brake discs of PCCB have a diameter of
350 mm at the front and rear – for even
more formidable braking performance.
In sport, performance counts. It applies
to the engine and it also applies to the
brakes. The new 718 models are therefore
equipped with four-piston aluminium
monobloc fixed calipers.
On the new 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman,
the brake calipers come with a black
finish – red on the S models. Brake disc
diameters are 330 mm at the front and
299 mm at the rear.
To make them tougher yet lighter and
enable a more rapid response – even
under extreme loads – the brake calipers
have an enclosed monobloc construction.
You’ve got no time to lose either.
Brakes.

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Safety and environment
Fuel.
All Porsche models – including the
718 models – are designed to operate on
fuels with an ethanol content of up to
10 %, e.g. ‘E10’. Ethanol has a positive
impact on the CO
2 balance because it is
derived from plants that absorb CO
2 from
the atmosphere.
Fuel economy and recycling.
Intelligent lightweight construction is
integral to the Porsche identit y. This

identity is expressed in the form of a high
proportion of aluminium, magnesium,
plastics and super-high-strength sheet

steels. All materials have been strategically
selected, and the paints used are
predominantly environmentally friendly
water-based paints. Each light weight

material is easily recyclable and all plastic
components are labelled to facilitate
future separation for recycling. In all, the
new 718 Boxster and the new 718 Cayman
are around 95 % recoverable.
comparison with the previous models,

fuel consumption and emissions have
been reduced by approximately 14 %. And
that’s despite a hefty increase in power.
Of course, the efficient use of fuel by means
of efficiency-enhancing technologies such
as auto start/stop, thermal management,
electrical system recuperation, VarioCam
Plus and, in conjunction with Porsche
Doppelkupplung (PDK), coasting mode,

has also played a part. Cataly tic converters
with stereo Lambda control circuits provide
efficient emission control.
In an era of intensifying debate about
global climate change and CO
2 emissions,
every automotive manufacturer is asking
what it has to offer right now. Our answer?
Excellent performance together with
excellent efficiency.
Emission control.
The new 718 models demonstrate
that even high-performance sports cars
can achieve moderate fuel consumption
and exhaust emission values in their
respective category. This is where the
new turbocharged engines have made
a not inconsiderable contribution. By
A sporting essential:
fair play.
Environment.
For fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and efficiency class, please refer to page 141.

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Comfort
1 Sports steering wheel
2 Multifunction GT sports steering wheel and mode
switch (Sport Chrono Package)
Porsche Entry & Drive.
With the optional Porsche Entry & Drive,
you can leave your car key in your pocket.
As soon as you grab the door handle, or
your hand nears the Porsche Crest on the
front luggage compartment lid or the logos
on the rear, the system automatically
checks the encrypted access code on the
key. Once the key is validated, the door or
the luggage compartment lid unlocks. The
engine can then be started and switched
off using the electronic ignition switch.
Climate control.
An optional alternative to the air
conditioning
system, two-zone automatic
climate control has separate temperature
controls for the driver and front passenger
and offers a choice of three climate
setting profiles.
Light design package.
The optional light design package is both
practical and aesthetically appealing. It
comprises dimmable LEDs in various
parts of the interior.
GT sports steering wheel.
The new, optional GT sports steering
wheel has a smaller diameter. The spokes
are finished in black, while the spoke
trims are in Galvano Silver and are screw-
fastened. For a motorsport-derived look?
Definitely. Above all, though, to emulate a
motorsport driving feel.
Heating and multifunction controls are
optionally available for all steering wheels.
These give you fingertip access to the
4.6-inch colour display and therefore the
on-board computer as well as many audio,
telephone and navigation functions.
Sports steering wheel.
The sports steering wheel with three-
spoke design is lightweight and functional.
The small centre pad and the chrome ring
encircling the Porsche Crest – both
derived from the steering wheel of the
918 Spyder – reinforce its sport y
character.
In conjunction with PDK, the sports
steering wheel features two alloyed
gearshift paddles offering particularly
short shift throws.