Porsche 718 Cayman T and Boxster T 19 | 12 | 2018

PORSCHE HAS UNVEILED two new models, the  718 Cayman T and Boxster T. On-sale now at Scottish Porsche dealers, prices start at £51,145 for the coupe and £53,006 for the soft-top. (Related: Porsche confirms 2019 Macan price)

Mirroring the approach first ten with the 911 Carrera T, the two new ’Touring’ models strip the cars back to their purest forms, aiming to maximise “driving dynamic performance”, according to Porsche. (Related: New Porsche Centre opens in Scotland)

Unnecessary weight — including the ‘standard’ cars’ bulky infotainment systems — has been chucked out, and designers have swapped the standard door pulls for nylon straps. Buyers have the option to re-install the infotainment system; if not, a storage compartment takes its place.

Both models get a a six-speed manual gearbox, though the heavier auto PDK ‘box can be fitted if buyers prefer.

At its lightest weight, the manual 718 Cayman T tips the scales at 1350kg, despite the addition of an emissions-dropping exhaust particulate filter.

Both 718 Cayman T and Boxster T are powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder 'boxer' engine, producing 296bhp and 380Nm of torque. Manual models will cover the 0-62mph sprint in 4.9 seconds, with PDK-equipped cars shaving two tenths off that time. The cars max out at 171mph.

Previously only offered on 2.5-litre 718s, Porsche’s Sport Chrono Pack — which offers three switchable driving modes: Normal, Sport and Sport Plus — is standard on the T. The last two models also add increasingly more aggressive throttle maps for the engine management system. (Related: Mission E to be badged Taycan)

And while the PDK auto features launch control, which in Sport Plus mode drops the auto’s 0-62mph time to 4.5s, the manual versions get a rev-matching control for automated heel-and-toe downshifts.

A torque vectoring system with a mechanical rear differential lock is also standard across both models, as is 20in alloys finished in grey, a sports chassis with a 20mm ride height drop, a sports exhaust with black chrome tips and an active gearbox mount. Externally there’s also grey mirror caps and unique badging.

Inside the cabin, there’s personalised gauges and sports seats embroidered with the '718' logo, a sports steering wheel, and either 'Cayman T' or 'Boxster T' plaques fixed to the door sills and dash.

Related: Porsche reveals facelifted Macan

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Jim McGill