Rumours suggesting Porsche is set to reveal its own four-cylinder boxer engine at the Frankfurt motor show in September have been emphatically denied by officials from the German car maker, who suggest such a move is at least three years away.
"It is no real secret that we are working on a four-cylinder engine. But it is still in an early development phase. On current planning, it will be another three years at least before we will be ready to reveal anything official on this subject," a Zuffenhausen-based Porsche official with knowledge of future product activities revealed to Autocar, adding, "It is not due before 2016."
The new turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection boxer engine is set to share its architecture with the larger six-cylinder unit already in use in the Boxster, Cayman and Porsche 911.
Its first appearance is expected to be in a facelifted version of the third-generation Boxster and recently launched second-generation Cayman – both due to head into showrooms in 2016.
However, in-line four-cylinder engines will appear in Porsche models before 2016. Volkswagen-sourced turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol and common rail diesel units will feature in the upcoming Porsche Macan SUV.
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Can't see the problem?
If I were in the market for a mid-life crisis car, the Porsche Cayman would be top of the list. Would I buy a 4 cylinder model? Yes, as long as the engine was smooth and powerful enough. I see no harm to the Porsche brand by this new engine. All manufacturers are down-sizing in order to meet ever tighter average emission requirements. 4 cylinder engines can be more free revving than 6.
Re: Maxicat, Superstevie & Marv...
I agree. I welcome a 4-pot Boxster/Cayman but was worried the unenlightened may mistake a lack of cc's for a lack of power/driveability/fun. In my view that would be a mistake if Porsche does a good job on the engine, which it's promised to do. As an aside, it's worth remembering that when the 911 started life with 126 bhp/ton a contemporary family car, eg Ford Cortina 1500, produced 75bhp/ton. Today's 1.6 diesel Focus makes a similar 79 bhp/ton. So how much power would the 991 make if built to that original template? 190bhp. What does it actually make? 350bhp (241bhp/ton). Maxecat is right, spiralling power outputs need to stop sometime. Now's probably that time. Want more performance? In the words of Colin Chapman, 'Simplify and then add lightness'.
It is kinda sad
First a 4 door saloon and then a SUV and now a 4 cylinder? What next? MPVs? Maybe an estate or a small hatchback? Looks like they're trying to turn the company from a pretigious sports car manufacturer to another BMW/Audi/VW/Mercedes.
Don't know how that is gonna effect their brand in the future and how people will perceive it?