2017 Porsche Boxster-Cayman, turbocharged 4-cylinder

The new Porsche's name - 718 Boxster-Cayman (the numbers are tattooed on each car's lower back) is a reference to early-'60s 718-badged Porsche racers that punched above their weight.

The mid-engine Boxster has always been a special athlete. But only in its last generation did aesthetics catch up with the goodness within. The 2017 continues that evolution.

With more tubocharged torque on tap in the familiar 2,900-pound, aluminum-intensive chassis, the Porsche 718 Cayman's 2.0-liter engine exploded from corner to corner through Austin's hill country.

For the S model's 2.5-liter four, output soars to 350 horses (over the retired 3.4-liter sixs 315).

The Porsche Boxster's boxer-4 is tarted up with a growly sport exhaust and rev-matching downshifts - but purists will be reluctant to give up their sixes.

The Porsche 718's interior is a comfortable place to be, and little changed from the previous generation Boxster-Cayman. More digital goo-gas - like Apple Car Play - are available for the infotainment system.

Nail the four and Porsche's engineers coax magic from the crankcase, the four pistons revving as freely as the six, topping out similar, 7,500 RPM redline. But the sound is purposeful, not epic, more free-revving machine than howling siren.

The hindquarters are uniquely Porsche Boxster-Cayman. The thin “Porsche” strip across the arse makes the car look more planted – and the black side air scoops –– are more elegant than the awkward ribs that used to scar the Cayman.

The Porsche Boxster-Cayman uses Google maps for its navigation system.

The Porsche 718 Boxster-Cayman gets subtle front changes like more sculpted wheel arches and scalloped lower air intakes.

New for 2017, the Porsche 718 Cayman comes in a striking Miami Blue.

The topless thrill of the full flat-6 made the Boxster my pick of the litter in previous generations. But with 718, I like the Cayman very much – especially as it is now cheaper (a first) than its topless sister, $54,950 to $57,050 base-to-base.

The Boxster S can go from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds flat.

Porsche Cayman's vehicle dynamics engineers spend six to eight weeks a year at the famed, 154-turn German track putting this production car through race training.

Trundle along at 50 mph in the new Boxster and the ghost of an old VW Beetle flat-4 is there – BUDDA-BUDDA-BUDDA.

Practical for road trips, the Porsche 718 Cayman features a trunk and frunk for storage.

EPA estimates are 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined for the 2.0L base Cayman. For the 2.5L Boxster, it's 21/28/24.

Top speed in the Boxter-Cayman is 177 mph.

Despite two fewer cylinders, the new Porsche 718 milks 300 horsepower from its base, 2.0-liter engine. That's 35 more than the outgoing 2.7-liter six.

Porsche 718 product chief Markys Baumann explains the workings of the car's new, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine.

With Draconian new government emissions laws in the works, Porsche engines must be developed for efficiency as well as power and performance. Porsche has invested hugely in turbo-4s to meet all goals.