Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
TEST DRIVE Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 packs sportiness, luxury in one
Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 convertible in Jeju Island / Courtesy of Porsche Korea
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Jeju ― Porsche is known for its commitment to engineering excellence, with a focus on creating cars that offer exceptional performance, handling and driving dynamics. To best experience the brand's sportiness and luxury all at once, the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 convertible is the way to go.
Porsche Korea invited a dozen journalists ahead of the 75th anniversary of its founding of the company to test drive its entire range of models on Jeju Island, Tuesday.
The Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is 4,390 mm long and has a width and height of 1,800 mm and 1,275 mm respectively. The two-seater has a compact build but once inside there is plenty of leg and headroom to be seated comfortably.
Once igniting the engine the driver is welcomed by a strong roar, hinting at the power it will bring to the journey ahead, even with a slight push on the gas, it immediately enters “beast” mode.
Inside the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 convertible / Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin
When accelerating, the engine responds sharply and shows off its bold performance unleashing the full might of the 4.0 liter V6 engine producing a maximum output of 407 horsepower and a torque of 43.9 kilogram-meters. The 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.0 seconds, with a top speed of 288 kilometers per hour, and can run at 8.4 kilometers per liter.
Driving on the mountainous regions around Jeju Island, with their abundance of curvy roads that make the driving experience more exciting, and backed by the high-end features and technology, such as Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), all help to further enhance its performance and handling capabilities.
The car also has a well-balanced chassis and excellent handling, making it enjoyable to drive both on normal and winding roads. The sleek and stylish design, with a low-slung profile and a retractable roof, comes as a plus.
Porsche is a German luxury car founded in 1948 and has since become one of the most iconic automotive brands in the world. Porsche has a rich racing heritage and has competed in some of the world's most prestigious motorsports events, including the 24 Hours Le Mans race and the Formula One World Championship. This racing pedigree has helped to establish Porsche's reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance sports cars that are both fast and reliable.