Over 20 years ago, Porsche sold its last four-cylinder model in the United States. By the middle of 2016, this will all change.
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller said the Cayman and Boxster will be the first U.S.-bound models to have flat-four engines, Automotive News reports. Müller also let it be known other models for the U.S. market could receive flat-fours if consumer demand calls for them.
The new four-pot is expected to be turbocharged, with 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines likely in the offing. Müller says maximum output could be as high as 395 horsepower, as well.
For now, the only four-cylinder model available is the Macan sold in China and the United Kingdom. Whether it will be among those heading over to the U.S. is undecided.
[Photo credit: Richard Cabrera/Flickr/CA BY-SA 2.0]
CAFE needs to be repealed. This is only the beginning.
I know! 300bhp 2.0L 4-cyl – the horror. Bring back the 8L 145bhp V-8s of my youth.
54 mpg is too much. Tiny high strung engines in cars made of exotic materials that cost a fortune to repair.
That’s what my dad said about all the new exotic DOHC engines coming out of Japan in the 80s.
54 MPG is easily achievable with current technology.
And 54mpg isn’t really 54mpg. It’s the old unadjusted number from the ’80s. On the sticker, it’s more like 36mpg.
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/can-cars-meet-the-new-54-mpg-cafe-standards-yes-they-can/
Yeah, unlike the current Porsche engines that never need to be repaired.
“Gains four cylinder engines?” How about “Porsches lose two cylinders!”
Shhhh that’s too much truth for the marketeers.
Hey ! If BMW can short you two cylinders and raise the price, why can’t Porsche ?
If only Caddy could get some of that German Price Magik
Gee, I wonder how much extra the turbo four will be?
I know every carmaker needs to make a profit, but Porsche seems to take pricing of its products to a new level as a habit.
Lazy bums. They could have used the opportunity to implement a downscaled turbo flat-6 architecture in the 1-2 liter range.
2L flat-6 turbo would be nice. Better yet, give us the 3.4L with a turbo. As it is now, the Cayman/Boxster are some of the least-powerful cars you can buy in the USA in their price range.
“As it is now, the Cayman/Boxster are some of the least-powerful cars you can buy in the USA in their price range.”
and yet, both are still all kinds of fun to drive. there is nothing else i’d rather own for purposes of my daily transport.
Two words: Internal friction. Fewer cylinders equals better fuel economy. You can’t R&D away physics.
Oh joy, they’re “gaining” four cylinders into the product mix. Just one more differentiator to “gain” a new pricing level.
“Gaining”?
Think of it as an “opportunity” to not buy one.
Hey, Porsche can save tons of money with this four-cylinder deal. Subaru has liquid-cooled boxer fours – both turbo and non-turbo – ready for quick installation. I can’t wait for a 148-hp Boxster. It’ll be like driving an original 356 Cabriolet! :)
Count me out. If I wanted a flat-4 with good power, Subaru is more famous for those. A WRX costs $30k less, drives nearly as well and is more practical.
If I’m buying a Porsche, I want the whole experience, the biggest element of which is the unique flat-6 (yes, Subaru also has a boxer-6, but not in a sports car).
Porsche is expanding it’s engine line-up downwards. Great!
Oh, the Turbo-4 is the new base model with the old base model’s price? Ewwwww….
Mustang turbo 4
Camaro turbo 4
Porsche turbo 4
I think there is a pattern here. Its no longer about displacement .
I can’t speak for the Cayman, but the other two will still offer a six for more money. Soooo… you simply pay more for what is standard now in these models. Name of the game is pay more in the future for what is standard now.
For both Porsche and the Mustang it is just a return to past configurations.
This is not Porsche’s choice. It’s a shame, and I think a decontented twin scroll turbo 2.7L F6 would have been enough, but this thing will still be the dynamic champ in its range with better fuel economy and more street friendly grunt. It’s not the end of the world.
The only way I’d buy a four cylinder Porsche is if they put the motor in the front and called it a 944.
What about renaming the Boxster the 914? Maybe even adding the little structural bar and a Targa roof?
And 3, 2, 1 until someone compares a 4-cylinder Boxster to a 914…
Oh heck, I’ll do it. I had a 1973 914 and it was a hoot, with the weight and reflexes of a 4-wheeled motorcycle, but it packed all of 72 horsepower. That was actually pretty impressive; lacking the 914’s electronic fuel injection, my buddy’s British sports car had all of 51 hp. Bringing the 914 up to 96 hp cost me several years, several thousands, and several girlfriends.
So…395hp from a 4-cyl? Sign me up.