racer

I'm not sure modern turbos have lag anymore.. and in a track environment, why would you ever be below 3K rpm (ie, if you have lag its usually at or below this mark). My wofes old A4 1.8T made peak TQ at 2000rpm. That's pretty stout imho. I can't see why the new engine wouldn't have equal tech to make low RPM tq a priority.

Seems like more bias and ignorance being bantered about.

This motor is more likely to be used as a 2.0 in the "entry car, below the boxster", and likely in 2.5 guise for Boxster/Cayman. Given how the current Boxster/Caymen series currently goes what, 255/265, 310/320/330 I would expect more annoying small variences in the next model series.

We also know from experience that while this years base 991 3.4 is rated at 350hp, in another 2-3years it will be 360, or 375 etc.. annoying small hp bumps to keep folks interested in the older, slower model

turbo will also run cleaner, comsume less fuel and provide better CO2 numbers that the EU is so intent on squashing.

Mike in CA

I'm not sure how you've decided that a 2.5 liter 4 potentially producing 280 HP will replace the 320/330 HP 3.4 flat 6 in the Cayman. Or that a 6 will no longer be offered just because a 4 is available. You've imagined a scenario to support your conclusion that the Cayman will be neutered, but it's based on pure conjecture. Very interesting speculation, and it's possible some part of it might even pan out . But it's not something that "sounds like" it could be true from reading the article.

Absolutely. The '70's: the end of the performance car as we knew it. Except it wasn't and cars are now better (and perform better) than ever before. No guarantees, but I wonder if there might be a lesson there that could be applied to today........

alexb76

I highly doubt they offer BOTH a 6-cyl and a 4-cyl turbo... a more likely scenario is two 4-cyl Turbo engines... If they followed Audi/VW model, they could even offer the SAME turbo engine at DIFFERENT boost levels for different performance. So, it could be 2.5 Turbo, at 270 and 310 HP, that's very easily achievable with boost control, while using larger intercoolers and some other components on higher boost car.

I agree that their HP would be similar to current cars, with similar performance numbers, even if HP is a bit down, I am sure they lighten up the car to keep the performance similar or better.

Mike in CA

It's fun to speculate but who knows? It wouldn't be the first time that Porsche offered both 4 and 6 cylinder variations within a model line (911/912, 914/914-6). And one would hope that 380HP 2.5 L turbo finds it's way into something interesting.

alexb76

Agreed, fun to speculate! However, 380HP Boxster would NOT HAPPEN! They'd never have a Boxster/Cayman at higher HP than Carrera!

Mike in CA

Maybe so. But in the not too distant future there might be a 400HP Carrera and a 450HP Carrera S with the GT3 variants coming in at 480+ (already in the ballpark). Then a 380 HP turbo 4 550 Spyder successor could be a possibility. As long as were going to speculate, it's more fun to be optomistic.

alexb76

Let's hope that's all true!

Quadcammer

dammit, this is the second time in as many weeks that I've agreed with Mike in CA.

This has GOT to stop.

Mike in CA

I knew you'd come around eventually.....

allegretto

First, with all the Safety Mandates, low weight will mean 2900-3200 lbs.

Second, the 4-banger will probably get slightly higher MPG in some stupid, retarded artificial cycle and that's the true motive.

But what I have noticed is that regardless of engine... I mean V-8, flat-6, one Turbo, two Turbos, supercharged, V-12... I get 16-18 MPG when I'm just "driving around" and 10-13 when I'm whipping it. Even less on the track.

So this whole CAFE game is more Gov meddling.

Now it Porsche made a Lotus Elite with an engine as that... now we're talking!

mousecrab

+1
E=MC2 no matter how much technology improves.
Take out the extra weight from the GT type interior, all those electronic assistant, etc...
Both higher performance and good gas consumption in one roof.
And for safety, get the morons to learn how to drive using their eyes to see, hands on the wheels and feet to control speed.

Alan C.

If the predictions are true and the Chinese equal our thirst for fuel by 2020 you might want to start saving your pennies now. I think reality will drive the market. CAFE will be just some road side marker covered by tumble weeds.

tbrom

Man I couldn't agree more with this - they build a lightweight fighter 4 banger and it will be selling like no tomorrow! Keep the turbo as an option - I like NA too. I'd rather have a GT3 rather than a TT for sure!

zanwar

The current Boxster Spyder with a four cylinder would already come in under 2900 lbs. If the platform was redesigned around the smaller four cylinder engine, they could probably get the weight down to 2700 lbs. The Elise is a light car because it was designed around a smaller engine from the start. When they expanded the Elise to carry a 3.5 liter engine and made the Evora, they couldn't do any better than 3000 lbs.

There are plenty of cars that weigh substantially less than 2900 lbs and meet all current and future safety regs. The issue is that customers expect to get some equipment for their money.

KBS911

No kidding. 380 hp in a light well balanced Porsche would be awesome in anyones book. I'm not too concerned about the near term "future" because it looks like there is still a "need for speed mentality" and one upmanship between manufacturers. Competition really does better the breed if the market dominates design and execution. We live in the best of times, automotive wise.