Rejoice, my friends, because paradise will be arriving in Porsche dealerships in the near future. After months of denying the possibility, Porsche’s top dog; Matthias Müller, has confirmed that the next-generation Cayman and Boxster are scheduled to receive a boxer four-cylinder engine in an interview with German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. These are beautiful times we live in! Even better than that, you heard about it here first, as we predicted Porsche would make such a move more than a year ago!
In the beginning, Porsche made nothing but four-cylinder cars, and didn’t even begin to make engines above two-liters until the late 1960s. The new Macan will likely be the first four-cylinder car since 1995, with an as-yet-unconfirmed VW sourced 2.0 liter turbo inline-4, but the engine Herr Müller has alluded to will be the first flat-four engine in a Porsche since 1976.
Don’t think, though, that fewer cylinders means less power. Porsche’s new 919 Hybrid LMP1 racing car has a 2.0 liter four-cylinder, and you’ll see just how quick that car is at Le Mans this year. Following the racecar’s lead in using technology to replace displacement, the smaller and lighter engines will produce up to 400ps (about 395 horsepower), says Müller.
Matthias Müller, CEO Porsche AG –
“We will continue with the downsizing strategy and develop a new four-cylinder boxer engine, which will see service in the next-generation Boxster and Cayman. We will not separate ourselves from efforts to reduce CO2 [emissions]”.
Thus far, the most powerful version of the mid-engine twins produced by Porsche has been the newly-launched Cayman GTS, boasting a 3.4-liter six-cylinder capable of producing 340 hp.
In the interest of producing more power while continuing to reduce emissions, look for the 4-cylinder cars to perhaps be augmented by electric energy recovery hybrid systems, and potentially a similar electric turbocharger as found in the 919 Hybrid. It’s also pretty likely that Porsche could find a sales-leader in a base-model car with a naturally aspirated four cylinder.
Other Porsche Blog Posts You Will Enjoy
Why Porsche Should Consider a Flat-Four Engine for the Boxster and Cayman
How Does The Porsche Cayman S Compare To the Alfa 4C
Why You Need A Porsche 991 Inspired Sofa In Your Living Room
Source: Autoweek.com / Auto Motor und Sport magazine
