The second generation Porsche Boxster that's due sometime in 2011 will feature a new base model equipped with a fuel efficient four-cylinder engine according to a report from UK's Autocar magazine citing company insiders. The last 4-cylinder Porsche was the 1990s 968 which was the final model in an evolving line that started in the mid-1970s with the introduction of the 924 and continued with the 944. But unlike the 968 that was equipped with one of the largest four bangers ever to be offered in a production car with a displacement of 3.0-liters, the next-generation Boxster's straight-four is expected to be quite smaller, featuring a displacement of 2.0 to 2.4-liters.
The report states that the entry-level Boxster's petrol unit will most likely be turbocharged delivering an output of over 200HP. Not exactly the kind of power you'd expect from a Porsche but company insiders insist that the new Boxster will be significantly lighter than the current model thus compensating for the smaller output.
The million dollar question is of course whether Porsche will develop the engine in-house from scratch or if the German sports carmaker will take advantage of its tie-up with the VW - Audi Group using the company's 2.0 TFSI unit as a base - just as it did with the Cayenne and the ill-fated 924.
Either way, the main reason that Porsche is looking into the development of a smaller engine for the Boxster and quite possibly for the Cayman replacement has to do with the stricter CO2 emission regulations that are going in force in several key markets around the world.
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9 Comments:
hm...the most known part of porsche(boxer engine) will be lost...boxter or scirocco..no diference.
All they have to do is chop off 2 of the flat-6's cylinders, like they did with the 912. That will still be acceptable to Porsche fans, but to use a straight-4 in a Boxster would be sacrilege
1997 Boxster had 201hp boxer 6 motor. Loved by critics and owners. A fuel efficient 200hp 4 cylinder makes lots of sense. Shave some weight off the car and make it with a hard top (Cayman) and you have a sales winner.
It is almost certain that Porsche will use a Volkswagen sourced engine for the new Boxter. This will probably be the EA888 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing developed by Audi and found in both the VW Scirocco and forthcoming VW Golf GTI. Available in various states of tune, it can push out up to 300 bhp. (VW raced a Scirocco in the Nurnburg 24-hour race with a souped-up version of this engine. It beat quite a few 911s, so putting a 4-pot motor in a Porsche isn't quite the sacrilege you might think.) This story is clear evidence that the merger between VW and Porsche is already a manufacturing reality. Where this leaves Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini is anyone's guess.
all the comments so far make sense, especially the one about chopping off 2 cylinders from the boxer engine. however, the sacrilege comes in the form of the Boxter's name in relation to its type of engine. Secondly, wouldnt a VW-sourced inline four be too long if placed north south or too wide, and too tall anyway??? Lastly, has anyone heard of a name change for the model? Comments please...
a 4 cyl turbo mean's its no longer a horizontally opposed?? Not... Subaru has that already.
Last year there was a theft at Porsche, where three engines were stolen (and recovered) but not before a picture found its way onto the web of a NA flat 4 prototype with Porsche stamped on it.
Forum with image of the engine
http://www.theautobahn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21992&page=1&start=&pp=10
I own an 07 Boxster with about 6500 miles on her. I am surprised at the poignancy of the commentary here.Congratz. I considered the Cayman but couldnt justify the extra 3800 and dont think it will ever come back in resale. Yes I know about the structural rigidity aspect but I dont race. Part of the name IS due to the engine configuration. That said I would look forward to a cheaper entry level Boxster with a flat four . I also owned an 06 GTI ( traded in on the Box) and am familiar with this engines as well. A 2.0 T in a Boxster wouldnt necessarily be a bad thing if it would keep the price down and still handle well. I am sure it would be pumped over the current 200/ 210 / versions and would probably be around the current 245 or so of the 2.7. BTW-the price is getting insane on the current. KJS
The new Porsche flat four will be positioned on its side. Not north-south or east-west
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