Mike in CA

Some of you may have seen this already but for those that haven't it's interesting. (alexb76, this is sure to make your head explode )

From Autoweek:

High-ranking officials at Porsche's Weissach research and development center in Germany have confirmed that engineering work is progressing on a four-cylinder horizontally opposed gasoline engine, details of which were first revealed by Autoweek earlier this year.

The new boxer unit--which is earmarked to power a new mid-engine, entry-level model that insiders describe as a spiritual successor to the iconic 550 Spyder--looks set to become an integral part of Porsche's future model plans. Insiders suggest it will also be offered on the third-generation Boxster and the second-generation Cayman later on in their respective model cycles.

Based around the same architectural elements--including 4.65-inch bore center spacing--as Porsche's classic horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that was just upgraded for service in the new 911, the new four-cylinder unit uses a combination of light-pressure turbocharger induction and piezo-guided direct injection.

Two versions of the new engine are under development: a base 2.0-liter and a larger 2.5-liter unit. The 2.5-liter unit is said to make up to 380 hp in its highest state of tune.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...#ixzz1XHkFHCyk

ADias

A 4 cyl small/nimble/spartan roadster (or even a small coupe) would be fun. Spartan means minimalist interior - the opposite of the current trend).

pissedpuppy

380hp sounds interesting, depends on how big they make the car and, of course, what it looks like

alexb76

Interesting... Turbos OPEN UP the mod options IMMENSELY! If so, be prepared for a modded Boxster/Cayman to SMOKE a base Carrera!

Mike in CA

BMW's bringing a turbo 4 cylinder engine heralded the possible end of the gasoline engine IYO. But Porsche's 4 cylinder is "interesting" and opens up mod options. Interesting indeed.

tbrom

I doubt very much that a 380 hp 4 cylinder motor will be the standard in any of the first gen whatever they'll call it. Its highest level of tune sounds like another word for Prototype to me. I'll believe it when I see it but I would like to see a more spartan Porsche with a 4 cylinder - that actually sounds like a great fun car!!! If they offered that right now I bet they'd sell like hot cakes.

With Porsche's new trend toward smaller, more eco friendly units, this would surely flow right along that "stream" of thinking! I like it. We need raw - I tell you after looking at the 360 degree photo of the interior in the 991- it surely is looking far removed from the old days of the long hoods and that raw sports car experience. I'm not sure that I like it that much. Personally things haven't been quite the same to me since the doors lost that wonderful "*****" when closing. If the old air coolers had AC that was worth a flip they'd be a hell of a lot more desireable! Guess you can always go aftermarket but I'd rather Porsche build us a "raw" 4 banger with some real sporty action!

_Nathan

The 620 hp 3.6 liter GT2 RS makes 172 hp/liter. A 2.5 liter four cylinder making 380 hp would be 152 hp/liter. Sounds feasible.

jumper5836

Subaru's flat 4 2.5l and single turbo produces 305 hp.

It's to bad sounds like the next gen Cayman is going to get neutered even more then it currently is and turbo's are not really fun on the track.

CBejbl

And that's just stock. Lots of Sti's out there pushing 350-400 hp.

Mike in CA

How did you reach that conclusion?

jumper5836

Insiders suggest it will also be offered on the third-generation Boxster and the second-generation Cayman later on in their respective model cycles.

Mike in CA

The article suggests it will be offered, not that it will be the only engine choice. Besides, opinions about whether a Turbo is fun at the track or not aside, a 380 HP turbo 4 would put out 50 HP more than the engine in the current Cayman R with, no doubt, more torque as well. I don't see how that equates to the Cayman being "neutered".

jumper5836

The cayman will never get more HP then the base carrera. Which is 350 hp. They will replace the 2.9 with the 2.0 flat 4 and the 3.4 with the 2.5. Even if it pushed out 280 hp na, that is neutered. Then add a single turbo and now coming out of the corners laying down the throttle with result in turbo lag and a wheel spin when the boost comes on. Basically just neutering it for the track as well.
I really have gotten the impression they don't want people racing that platform against their flagship 911.

alexb76

Pretty much the same thing, Porsche MUST bring the average MPG down across the brand, so going this way. Not that I like it, but the turbo modding is easier making it possible to mod those engines to beat Carrera, while shortening the life of em. I bet however it would totally lose the engine feel of Boxster Spyder, Caymans. Faster is not always better, for instance I MUCH PREFER GT3 engine to Turbo, even if Turbo is faster.

Overall, this is the same thing, industry MUST go this route to meet the new standards, and in a few years they MUST give up some performance, and add batteries, etc... remember 70s?

alexb76

+1