stom_m3

Is it possible? Advantages/disadvantages? For comparison, the new BMW 3 series 2.0L turbo engine is 165lbs lighter than the 3.5L engine counterpart. Also the weight would be pushed closer to the center of the vehicle thereby providing better balance. I have to say it's an amazing transformation for the new 3 series from a balanced car perspective in my own personal evaluation.

With the huge push towards fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, will this trump lineage? The 356 was a boxxer 4 motor. There are rumors about Porsche introducing turbos in their smaller engined lineup. It probably wouldn't happen to the 911 line for 20 years but who knows? Would be interested to know what other's think.

air-cooled

A new 912 E (economy)

gupalo1974

Every manufacturer is going towards small displacement turbocharged engines and Porsche will eventually. However, I agree they will not for a 911 for some time to come. That would be too drastic a change and would risk losing the fan base.

exc911ence

Perhaps a pressurized flat-six of lesser displacement will find itself in the rear of a future 911 but a flat-four? I can't see it.

Alstoy

This has crossed my mind a few times. I see the majority of the shops like RUF "mod" the car for more power. I'm sure there is a market for a simpler and lighter car-sort of "mod" the other way. Why doesn't Porsche just recreate the '72 RSR?

SSST

I could see a 4 cyl TT in the Boxter and Cayman, but not a 911 unless it replaces the base NA 6.

For BMW the TT 4 is in the base model. It is a nice little engine, but I can't see you pushing 400 HP with it. The 335 still has a boosted 3 liter 6. Again, they are trading a little HP for a flat torque curve. With some tuning you can get close to 400 HP.

At the end of the day you still need some displacement to get the high HP and torque numbers required for a car like the 911. That still requires some fuel.

That said the motor in my 8 year old TT is surprising fuel efficient for its output. It's fuel economy is about 10% less than my old 335 despite the fact that it is almost 40% more powerful

Carrera GT

You might be remembering reports from 2011 of four cylinder development to power a rumored "Type 551" as a reincarnation of the 550, and perhaps to be used in a Boxster variant to be shared in a VW branded equivalent.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...NEWS/110909935

'm all for an ultralight 911, but not so much as a forced induction four pot screamer. This kind of engine appeals to emissions-centric engineering criteria, but not so much to driving the thing.