Porsche goes bold with 718 Style Edition

Well, at least there’s no brown shagpile anymore. But with this pair of mildly worked-over entry-level Porsches, the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman, you do get what some might see as a return to dubious good taste. 

Porsche is calling it “Style” with a capital S. As in the 718 Style Edition, which in itself sounds more like a moniker on a run-out version of a Vauxhall hatchback than a Porsche.

In fairness the grey Cayman in the pictures looks good, but it’s the return to the 1990s of the very pink body colour, shown here on the Boxster, that may not find universal favour. There’s a precedent for this colour of course: it’s a take on the Ruby Star hue of the 911 Carrera RS of the 964 generation. Porsche obviously believes it’s back in vogue. Who knew?

What else do the Style Edition 718s offer? It’s all cosmetic: stripes on the luggage compartment lid, Porsche lettering on the side, high gloss black (or white) 20-inch wheels and black tailpipes. Inside, there’s black leather with contrast stitching, illuminated sills and head rests bearing the Porsche crest. So quite restrained internally.

These entry-level models get no mechanical changes – so a manual ‘box and 300PS (220kW) from the 2.0-litre boxer engine – but they do get a longer list of standard kit, including bi-xenon headlights, rearview camera, Apple CarPlay, heated steering wheel and heated seats.

The Style Edition models come in at £3,900 more than the base 718 pair, which makes the Cayman £51,600 and the Boxster £53,600. Bright pink Porsche soft-top anyone?