Sebaflex

With all the positive feedback coming in from the 718S and it's powerplant, I can't help but ask myself if they will stick that engine in a 911 chassis. That would essentially bring back the 4-Cylinder 911, the 912.

What do you guys think? Is there space for it below the base 6 cylinder carrera?Would it/Should it happen? Discuss

STG

Should it happen?? Why on earth should it?

They ran the 4cy idea out there for the base .2 Carerra. It didn't go over well and they scrapped it.

A 4cy turbo?? Yuk. The 718 will have some struggles I assume. Who the hell wants a 4cy sports car?? Nice way to kill a great mid engine model.

worf928

Amend to: who wants to pay $60k+ (figure nothing dealer-ordered will not have $5k in options) for a 4 cylinder sports car? In the US?

MX-5, BRZ are cost-effective sports cars with 4-pots.

But, outside of countries that tax displacement, I have to think the 718 is going to be a hard sell. My SA agrees. On the other hand, there's a generation that may not care.

Queue subshooter in five.... four ...

STG

The generation that doesn't care is broke and doesn't like cars. Especially ones that flaunt that you actually work hard and try and make something out of your life.

The 718 will FLOP in the US. Mark my words.

LCW

The title of this thread refers to a "rumor mill"... To the OP, it sounds more like your own conjecture... I wonder, what is the rumor? What is your source?

STG

There is no rumor mill. Just a made up exercise in irritation.

hacker-pschorr

Sub 3,000lb 300hp sports car for under $55k? Oh the horror.....

Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy either with the politics that lead to Porsche having to downsize and turbo everything, but it is with it is.

I guess I'm too cynical with my thinking that your average new budget Porsche buyer is after the hood crest more than anything else. A price tag on par with a loaded Camaro and $10k less than a fully equipped Dodge Charger shouldn't be all that difficult to sell.

The original Boxster sold like hotcakes and had a whopping 201bhp.

Personally I would rather see a sub 2,400lb version with a screaming non-turbo 4-banger. But I'm usually the odd man out in these discussions.

STG

Very "positive" OP ...

http://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/718-boxster

tomc_mets

I'm probably in the RL minority, but I'd like to see such a thing. Would be great for commuting, and road trips IMO. The wife's SLK is a 4 cylinder turbo, and it's a fun little machine, gets good gas mileage, only OK for short road trips though due to its roadster configuration. Even more fun if you use it in Sport mode & with the paddle shifters. So, jam something similar into the 911 body, get the engineers to add Porsche tuning, handling, sensibilities etc. I agree that they'd have to lightweight as best as possible, and avoid the Morden urge to boost the vehicle. And, I'd buy it. Of course, I'd still keep my NA 997.2S for weekend fun drives!
T

oalvarez

I'm with ya.

I'm with ya too. There is a market for lower priced, "exotic" badged cars, whether or not it does reputational harm to the marque is a different story. But as was said, Porsche has successfully sold the Boxster and now the Macan to further validate the topic at hand.

Quadcammer

alfa 4c is a helluva little 4 cylinder sports car. I wouldn't want a 4 cylinder 911, but i'm sure some would.

clutchplate

Would prefer they did a 718-6 instead.

subshooter

...three


^ what STG991 said


They should have also downsized the price. The younger generation is still too busy paying off student loans and getting no pay raises.

DerekS

Shame too, I really like the styling. But the sound...

Archimedes

718 is going to sell well, at least for a Boxster. 911 sales would drop like a stone if they stuck a 4 banger back there, unless it was only for a base, budget version, but I can't see Porsche diluting the cache of that model with such a dual strategy.