Porsche Moving Forward with Four-Cylinder Boxer Engine

PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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says that it is moving forward with development of its new flat-four engine that are being designed for the BoxsterPorsche Boxster Gen.3 [981]Germany, 2012 > 20165 versions
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and CaymanPorsche Cayman Gen.2 [981]Germany, 2012 > present9 versions
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and may find its way into other models. However, the 911Porsche 911 Gen.6 [991 Series]Germany, 2011 > present110 versions
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is not one of them, so there will be no return to the 912Porsche 912Germany, 1965 > 19763 versions
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.

The point of the engine is to meet strengthening emissions standards. The new engine will have a smaller displacement and likely be turbocharged to lower weight and keep power roughly the same. To save money in development and production, Porsche may be simply removing two cylinders from one of its current flat-six engines to create the new one.

“We are working on a flat-four engine. For me a 911 is a six-cylinder car, it cannot be a four-cylinder. The Boxster and Cayman on the other hand, we are deciding if it fits.

“Developing a flat engine is more expensive, but that’s our heritage and it has to be that way. I think the market will definitely accept a four-cylinder Porsche. Downsizing is a fact of the industry now," said Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche head of Research and Development chief.

When these four-cylinder Boxsters and Caymans are introduced, it will almost make them the modern rebirth of the classic Porsche 356Porsche 356Germany, 1948 > 196533 versions
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. However, Porsche has no plans to bring back a car like the 914Porsche 914Germany, 1969 > 19764 versions
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with the new four-cylinder.

“No, there’s definitely no room below the Boxster,” said Hatz.

Source: Auto Express