Doug&Julie

Update if you haven't seen this: http://www.dailytech.com/VW+Teases+w...icle13905c.htm

The VeeDub is under 2700 lbs. Surely Porsche could match that?

sjfehr

That 2.0 4 cyl turbodiesel is only 180hp, though, so it's not going to be a Boxster killer, at least not without an engine upgrade. Might compete well against the Miata, though.

schwank

If you read the interview in the current Excellence with Wolfgang Durheimer, the R&D head at Weissach, he even mentions the need to reduce the motor size for emissions and talks about forthcoming use of of turbo 4 cylinder motors.

I think it is a VERY short matter of time until we see this change. Porsche has been taking heat for fuel consumption and with new regulations coming into force, we'll see them move to lower average fuel consumption, and this is a very obvious place to start. Should be no problem to get 250 hp out of a 4. Hell, Subie has been doing it with the WRX for years.

loosecannon

I can think of reasons for Porsche to have this Sub-Boxster and reasons not to have it but in the end I trust Porsche management to do the right thing. I just hope it is:
a) Cool
b) limited production
c) fun
d) stylish
e) not so budget made and priced that it cheapens the brand
f) Better than the competition
g) Cool

Since I started this list of wants for this car, what would everybody else like to see for:
Drivetrain(front engine, mid engine, rear engine, straight 4, flat 4, turbo, supercharger, etc)
Interior(plush, bare bones, race,etc)
Exterior(fixed headlights, pop-ups,targa,fixed wing, pop-up wing,styling,etc)
Special options/packages(RS model,GT model,SCCA package,Gulf color scheme,etc)

Doug&Julie

I suspect it's going to be a Boxster with a flat four turbo motor in it. Less concerned about interior features. I'd be fine with PSM, Bose, and heated seats.

schwank

I'd agree. The Boxster form factor lends itself to a horizontally opposed engine, as does Porsche tradition. Can't imagine any other design in the Boxster, ever.

randyb_boxster

I like the comment about VW's as the entry...have you driven a VW with the Audi 5 cylinder engine?
Amazing little powerplant! In a BEETLE!


My daughter's Porsche...

PS - I also like the idea of the BOXSTER 986-987 combo.

lolayay

Perhaps we shall have a vote about Boxster 986-987 combo.

wilfred

+1 on combo, i started the same thread 3 mos later

smlporsche

My wife drives a Subie Legacy GT. It is a Porsche designed 4 cylinder 2.5 L motor that develops 250 HP and is very quick for a 3400+ Lb car.
Take 6-700 pounds out, put the engine where it belongs ( in the middle!) and it would be a giant killer.
The inherant problem with turbo's is the heat build up and not having an easy way to disapate it in a mid engine configuration.

I agree with those above that it could hark back to the original 550 being lighter and quicker!

Doug&Julie

Excellent point, especially in the Boxster...everything is sealed away! I wonder how much hp Porsche could get out of a NA flat four?

Doug&Julie

So I read in (I believe) 911 & Porsche World magazine that, if they go ahead with this plan, Porsche will indeed use the VW / Audi four cylinder direct injection turbo and not develop a flat four specifically for this model. The article sites development costs as a reason to not do a new Porsche flat four.

This is disappointing to me. I guess I don't see how much development is needed to lopp two cylinders off an existing motor? I suppose in comparison to just taking what's there...it's expensive.

What I didn't fully understand is the article was referring to the turbo four as having over 250hp (can't remember the exact number) but everything else I read about the new Boxster was referring to a "200hp" car?

I guess the good news is the potential for excellent fuel economy numbers (especially for a motor with good hp).

Anywho...

Edit: How do you spell "lop"?

Edit Edit: Checking both VWs and Audi's websites...their turbo four does have 200hp. Not sure where that other number came from?

Ray H

It appears to me that Porsche is no longer so much about the cars as it is selling them. Using something from one of their sisters is cost effective.

Having said that I would like to see this car in production.

Doug&Julie

Without a doubt, me too.

But if Porsche offers a roadster with a VW motor in it and VW offers a roadster with a Boxster chassis (at a cheaper price - a la base model Cayenne v Tourag) I'll opt for the VW model.

...it would get even more confusing if Subaru ever builds a roadster.

941MXVET

Lots of good opinions on this thread, I'd like to add that I would also like to see the 986, and 987 forums combined.

I also believe that any 4 cylinder roadster will be badged VW.