PORSCHE'S FIRST 4-CYLINDER IN 20 YEARS IS HERE: THIS IS THE NEW 718 BOXSTER

We've known for a while that Porsche was going to drop cylinders and add turbos to combat rising fuel economy standards worldwide. Now we have our first look at Porsche's first four-cylinder model since the 968. Don't let the absence of flat-six get you down: This is still Porsche we're talking about.

The new 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four unleashes a stout 300 horsepower in standard trim. The 718 Boxster S gets a bump in displacement to 2.5-liters and 350 horsepower. Fuel economy is up 13 percent over the outgoing six-cylinder.The new flat-four uses Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG), also found in the new 911 Turbo. Torque figures are 280 lb-ft in the standard model, which is a 74 lb-ft gain over the 2.7-liter flat-six, and 310 lb-ft in the S model. The 0-60 mph sprints come in at a spine-tingling 4.7 seconds in the standard 718 Boxster, knocking 0.8 seconds off the previous time. When equipped with the PDK transmission and Sport Chrono package the 718 Boxster S sprints to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, 0.6 faster than its 3.4-liter predecessor.

Both cars come standard with a six-speed manual and PDK as an option. Porsche also claims to have re-tuned the suspension and modified the chassis to make way for the new engines.Porsche Active Suspension Management has been updated and now offers a 10 millimeter reduction in ride height. Porsche claim a "10% more direct" electro-mechanical steering system as well. The new 718 Boxster will hit showrooms in June and start at $56,000 base with the S model checking in at $68,000.