Evora Sport 410 vs Boxster 718 GTS 4.0 and Boxster S

[Gadzooks]

Went to Porsche Experience Centre to compare Boxster GTS 4.0 with a 2.5 S on their handling circuit and 'ice' track. Interesting results. The S had PASM and Sports Chrono and both cars were on same size MPS4S tyres. The S had more roll in the corners and needed some concerted trail braking to make sure it turned in. Mid corner it was very easy to send sideways (damp track) both deliberately and sometimes accidentally. Brake feel was excellent in terms of feel but a fair way short of the stopping power compared to the Evora. Steering feel was good but not as good as the Evora. You felt grip levels through the chassis rather than the wheel.  However, it was still effective.

The GTS felt more polished. It cornered flatter and was easier to get turned into corners. The braking felt slightly stronger  but still not up to the Evora (in fairness the Cup 2s do contribute a fair bit to stopping power).  There was more opportunity to rev the engine compared to the S as both cars have the same torque figure but the S arrives at 1900rpm rather than 5000rpm. This meant that it was easier to balance the GTS on the throttle and you had to be much more deliberate to send it sideways. It also sounded better than the 2.5T in the S but still not a patch on the sound of the Evora. Plus the shorter gearing in the Evora let’s you have more opportunity to use the revs.

In terms of laptimes I don't think there was much between the Boxsters. On a tight circuit the S might even be quicker due to the easy access to torque but the GTS feels more at home. On the ice (low friction) circuit both Boxsters had great balance and were way easier to control over the limit compared to a Lotus Elise,Exige or Evora.  In the dry I know that the Evora has near identical lap times to the previous 981 gen GT4 Cayman so probably similar or slightly better lap times compared to the new GTS. In the damp or wet the Boxster would be the fastest for me as you could feel more confident to drive it up to and over the limits. The Evora has more spiky on limit handling and unless you have reached driving God’ status you won’t be at ten tenths.

BTW - I never noticed any shimmy from the Boxster chassis despite the lack of a roof. And it almost goes without saying that the interior was much nicer than the Evora.  Though I took the opportunity of being in Silverstone to call into the Lotus dealer to see and sit in an Emira.  The interior felt a similar quality to Porsche and it had a neater, cleaner design,

[TennisFan]

Excellent write up.  I left a BGTS 4.0 for a Evora 400 and have ZERO regrets.  If you want more pampering, refinement, less feel the road, less raw, then buy the Porsche.  My Evora 400 feels like a race car compared to the GTS4.0 due to its rawness, it is sublime.

Edited November 12, 2022 by TennisFan

[EGTE]

That's why we're here!

[Gadzooks]

On 12/11/2022 at 14:29, TennisFan said:

Excellent write up.  I left a BGTS 4.0 for a Evora 400 and have ZERO regrets.  If you want more pampering, refinement, less feel the road, less raw, then buy the Porsche.  My Evora 400 feels like a race car compared to the GTS4.0 due to its rawness, it is sublime.

Completely agree ref the theatre of driving the Evora. It's a far more memorable experience.