Fredrik Jönsson

Average age for a Porsche customer is somewhere between 55 and 60.
Do you think turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol is the engine for the future?

spyderphile

The turbo is "not" the future! It is an interim step to the future: hybrids, then electric! In my forecast, next gen platforms will have turbos and hybrids; we could hypothetically call it 983. In hypothetical 984, we might only see hybrids and electrics. Internal-Combustion engines might go bye-bye!

As much as I am a fanatical NA guy, I can see the writings on the wall: it's days are numbered. At best, NA engines in select models might live on for just one more generation. At best! It's a long shot. Beyond that, just can't see a business case for it. Aside from business case, NA engines won't be able to compete against the low/mid-range torque (and, the power levels) of turbo/electric. Regular drivers love low-end torque. Only companies like Ferrari, Lamborghini, et al. might be able to offer NA V12s in super-niche models and get away with.

The regulations are only getting tighter. Even if our EPA regs get dismantled or diluted, EU will continue to march ahead with their road maps. So would California. Many US states follow California's lead. So, keep what you have; and, pick up some new choice samples as they come for a short period of time, because you ain't getting no more!

Mrg02D

Good thing California didn't gets its way on EVERYTHING last year! ;-)

terbiumactivated

Agree with the rider on almost all unless different fuels change the game.

elombard

I will second the cost. I saw a 718S Boxster on a dealer lot for over $100K!!! I thought I read that the 4 cylinders were going to be lower cost? I was actually looking forward to perhaps some fantastic depreciation and cheap access to the 718 in a few years as dual purpose track/street cars. Still may happen but I would think sales would be really stunted by pricing like that.....I guess not.

Bparrott

I have a difficult time understanding all the noise about price. Is a 718S expensive? Yes. So is every other Porsche made in the last two decades. However I just bought a Cayman S with every performance option for roughly the same price as a 981 GTS (MSRP was 88k and I paid 82k) and my 718S out performs it. I get it, a 4 banger for some reason offends egos or sensibilities for irrational reasons. I for one will take more power and better steering of the 718S for the same price as a 981 GTS and do not find the price offensive. Good lord - look at the price of a 911 these days. A stripper 911 is 100k if you are lucky and it is out performed in all measures by the 718S. AND you can have a very nicely performance oriented optioned 718s for 85kish all day. The 100k 718S are cars for people who care about having the Porsche crest in the headrest and many other cosmetic options that have no performance impact.

JSF101

^

I agree that you can get a nicely optioned 718 for under $100k

but I think there's a correlation between "price" and "sales"

and you shouldn't just cherry pick one month's sales figures to draw conclusions but the trend in sports car sales isn't good, particularly for the 718

as stated said earlier, year over year comparison will be telling

it's been a long time since the Boxster intro under $40k and Cayman under $60k

Bparrott

And when a Boxter was under 40k a 911 could be had for 60k.

Reno 911

I just test drove the 718 Cayman S w/ PDK and thought it was quite impressive with the sound being decent for a 4 cyl (e.g., overrun, grumble). This is coming from an F80 M3, which sounds like dog s**t. Power felt similar between my M3 with the exception that the Cayman can actually put it down (versus traction issues in the M3). I walked away from the experience pleasantly surprised.

I need to test drive a 981.1 to determine if its sound and NA characteristics make up for progress around performance...will do that soon. As it stands, I'd be happy to own a 718 Cayman S and think it'd be great fun.

Truth be told, the 718 Cayman S offers similar to performance to the 991.2 C2, so even Porsche conceded this particular point. However, Porsche still holds the Ace with the flat 6 in the 911.2 range that sound quite good and, in turn, exudes a bit more emotion from the driver. They know this. A 718 w/ the base C2 motor (like the "good ole" days) would be an absolute monster and a slam dunk decision for most of us.

randr

^^^^
I haven't done a lot of laps in the .2 C2S as yet but those that I have done would put it ahead of the 718S by about 2s to 3s per lap - which is quite a big margin at least in my book. This takes nothing away from the 718S - I think its a fantastic and very capable drivers car.

Reno 911

Right, the .2 C2S... I'm referring to the .2 C2 vs 718S.

I *think* I'd be happier with a 911 and lean towards either a 991.1 C2S or 991.2 C2. I plan to test drive the new .2 C2 in a week or so, so I should have a better idea. With that said, my primary goal is fun and fast since this will not be my daily. Practicality isn't a factor.

spyderphile

If you wait for a year (~18 months), you could have one: GT4, with NA!

Reno 911

Lol, true. The 18-24 mo. timeline is when I expect to jump into another P-car. I'll be interested to see what else comes out between now and then (e.g., 718 GTS, GT4, etc.) while also seeing how preowned prices for both the 718S and 991.2 C2 begin to come down.

JSF101

Updated sales figures should cause some concern for 718 Boxster/Cayman

Comparing first qtr 2017 to first qtr 2016 the 718 sales are down 26%

The PAG marketing machine needs to hire you to stoke up their sales or get the GT4RS scheduled for production

p.s. I'm on your side, 718 ordered

Selo

I just drove a 718 S mt and was very impressed. Little if any turbo lag, although throttle response doesn't quite have the urgency of my 981 Spyder. Beautiful handling, tight as anything, no rattles. I loved it, especially compared to the base 911 I drove a few days ago that rattled, rode very rough, and understeered. That being said, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the cost for a turbo 4. I guess Lotus has a history with this too, huh?