[Klink]

There has been a lot of talk about what features the Porsche 718 will end up receiving. Well, perhaps it is better to say that there has been discussion of the lack of features and options that there will be for the Porsche 718. I have done a little research to give us a better handle on what the actual situation is regarding features, options and standard equipment for the Porsche 718.

It appears that Porsche is fully embracing a "less-is-more" approach for the 718. This is in an effort save keep the price and the weight down. Newsday wrote this:

Porsche also plans to keep prices low by installing a non-power-folding soft top with a plastic rear window and by seriously de-contenting the standard equipment list (air conditioning, power seats and other amenities would be optional.)

Now Newsday doesn't cite a source for this information, but it does seem to confirm what many of us here on the forum have been speculating.

On the folding roof in particular, it seems that the driver will be able to operate it will just one hand while still sitting in the driver's seat.

Porsche's reasons for doing all this make perfect sense. I do wonder how many people will end up adding in many of the options though. I don't know many people who want a car with no air conditioning for example. In doing so the price of the 718 will creep up, and not actually be much cheaper than some of its competitors that may come with more features standard in the first place.

Will you be adding options like air conditioning and power seats to your 718 when you get it, or will you fully embrace the less-is-more philosophy of the 718?

 

[Shark]

Since for me it will mainly be a vehicle i drive during summer days in the city and suburbs often... i will need air conditioning. Had power seats in a few of my cars and always appreciated having that sort of luxury, something i'll also want in the 718

 

[Porker]

Its a difficult question to ask until we have ourselves a robust option list complete with at least ballpark pricing. I'd love to say NO, I'm going PURE, but I'm just not sure how pure, pure will be.

A/C may be superfluous in my case, I'm not particularily interested in commuting with the 718, however the one day you need it leave you regretting not having it everyday. So it becomes a nuanced battle of first world problems....

 

[Klink]

A/C seems like a needed feature but i could really care less about power seats. I don't find it that difficult to pull a lever to adjust the seat. And how often do you really have to adjust the seat anyway once you get it in the right place. I would like power windows though.

 

[Shark]

A/C seems like a needed feature but i could really care less about power seats. I don't find it that difficult to pull a lever to adjust the seat. And how often do you really have to adjust the seat anyway once you get it in the right place. I would like power windows though.

This is so true.
It might be worth it to go without the power seats, those really add a lot of weight.

 

[Klink]

I always found automatic seats and the memory function to be superfluous features. I just don't think it takes that much effort or time to adjust the seat yourself. I wouldn't miss these features if they were skipped for the 718.

What features can you do without, and which ones do you really need to have in your 718?

 

[Shark]

That is true. Also as nice as it is to have, I think it's more valued in a vehicle that's likely to be shared among a few people.

With a car like the 718, it's more likely to be stuck to one driver.

 

[Klink]

Well yea. I don't think that I would be itching to let a whole bunch of other people drive my new Porsche. It's not exactly a family vehicle.

 

[Shark]

Well yea. I don't think that I would be itching to let a whole bunch of other people drive my new Porsche. It's not exactly a family vehicle.

of course it's not a family vehicle.

 

[Klink]

of course it's not a family vehicle.

I am glad that they didn't try to fit two extra back seats in the car that would only be usable by small children and single grocery bags. I guess that is another part of the whole bare bones mentality.

 

[Anemone]

I am glad that they didn't try to fit two extra back seats in the car that would only be usable by small children and single grocery bags. I guess that is another part of the whole bare bones mentality.

Thats true, there is also a size constraint right. However the 911 for example may not have an overly useful rear seat, but in a pinch if you need to chuck a kid back there its at least viable...

 

[Delnari]

Would like manual seats, windows, door locks, mirrors, top, stick shift, and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. A/C as an option, Apple Car Play / Google Interface so my phone does all the heavy lifting when its needed. Do want top Porsche quality materials for the seats, dash, carpet, etc. A great engine that will deliver performance deserving of the Porsche badge. I think this car could be delivered for under $50K and I would love it.

 

[Klink]

Would like manual seats, windows, door locks, mirrors, top, stick shift, and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. A/C as an option, Apple Car Play / Google Interface so my phone does all the heavy lifting when its needed. Do want top Porsche quality materials for the seats, dash, carpet, etc. A great engine that will deliver performance deserving of the Porsche badge. I think this car could be delivered for under $50K and I would love it.

Funny how these days people are asking for features like Apple Car Play and Google Interface, but are okay with manual windows, seats, door locks, and mirrors. My, my how times have changed. People are willing to have manual windows but they aren't willing to revert back to a CD player, or no infotainment screen.

 

[Shark]

Porsche might also want to stay away from going that crazy with manual features, just in effort to make it a more worthy car for driving in the city.

 

[Klink]

I anticipate that many things will be offered as options, but I think that will deter some from buying the 718 when they look at what is being offered in competitors. A Porsche that has absolutely no features, or something else that actually gives me the courtesy of including automatic windows? I'm sure some will choose the latter.

 

[Anemone]

Funny how these days people are asking for features like Apple Car Play and Google Interface, but are okay with manual windows, seats, door locks, and mirrors. My, my how times have changed. People are willing to have manual windows but they aren't willing to revert back to a CD player, or no infotainment screen.

you're talking about two distinct groups of car buyers. Shopping for a 718 is not because you need a daily driver, you're shopping for a toy.

People are okay with manual windows and seats and roof because as a plaything its part of the novelty, you're not commuting in it, who cares about creature comforts. Its about the experience not the option boxes...

 

[Shark]

I anticipate that many things will be offered as options, but I think that will deter some from buying the 718 when they look at what is being offered in competitors. A Porsche that has absolutely no features, or something else that actually gives me the courtesy of including automatic windows? I'm sure some will choose the latter.

I don't know about things like that being a problem, people are passionate about porsche's, the one's that know what porsche is about. They won't be deterred by things like that.

 

[Klink]

I don't know about things like that being a problem, people are passionate about porsche's, the one's that know what porsche is about. They won't be deterred by things like that.

It depends how committed they are to a Porsche. A toy doesn't need to be a Porsche. There are other options out there.

 

[Shark]

That is true, to some it won't matter, to others they will feel obligated to get a Porsche, since it is a premium product and this one specifically to be one of the more affordable models out their.

 

[Klink]

Some people might just not buy anything if they aren't happy with the 718. Those would be the people who really want a Porsche and aren't willing to look at something else. You are either looking for a Porsche and are happy that this one is affordable, or you are looking for a toy and are willing to look elsewhere if the 718 isn't exactly what you are looking for.