Rumormill: Porsche's Ferrari-Fighter Getting Quad-Turbo Flat Eight

There is a rumor circulating that appears so unbelievable that it really beggars belief. A rumor started in Automobile that Porsche'sPorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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rumored Ferrari-fighter with the codename 960 will use a quad-turbo, 3.9-liter flat-eight engine with about 650hp. The car would be more of a luxury GT to take on the Ferrari F12berlinettaFerrari F12berlinettaItaly, 2012 > present16 photos
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.

According to the rumor, the final car would weigh about 3,000lbs from a mix of steel, carbon fiber, magnesium,  and titanium, and production will begin in 2017. The engine would be mounted in the middle with power sent to all four wheels. In theory, it would get the car to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds. 

The problem with the rumor comes down to the question "why." Porsche has been rumored to be developing a car to fit between the 911Porsche 911 Gen.6 [991 Series]Germany, 2011 > present110 versions
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Turbo and 918 SpyderPorsche 918 Spyder Gen.1Germany, 2010 > present1 Version
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for about a year now, but why a quad-turbo flat eight.

Porsche has not given one of its supercars a bespoke engine ever. The 959'sPorsche 959Germany, 1987 > 19874 versions
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flat-six was originally developed for the 935Porsche 935 Gen.1Germany, 1976 > 198410 versions
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racecar; the GT1'sPorsche 911 GT1Germany, 1998 > present2 photos
flat-six came from the 962Porsche 962CGermany, 1985 > present1 photo
; the Carrera GT'sPorsche Carrera GTGermany, 2000 > 20063 versions
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V10 came from an aborted Le Mans car; even the 918 Spyder'sPorsche 918 Spyder Gen.1Germany, 2010 > present1 Version
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engine comes from the RS Spyder. Porsche has not built a flat-eight engine since the 908Porsche 908Germany, 1968 > 19714 versions
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from the 60s. 

Porsche is not going to build a bespoke engine for a boutique car that it cannot also use for racing. The only thing that could give this rumor some credence is if we learn that Porsche's 2014 Le Mans car will use a flat-eight engine. Although, according to the 2014 Le Mans rules all factory-backed LMP1 cars must use some form of alternative power, such as a battery or fly wheel hybrid. 

It is possible that there will be a Porsche luxury GT to take on FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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in the coming years. Imagine a modern, more luxurious interpretation of the 928Porsche 928Germany, 1977 > 199510 versions
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, but Porsche is not going to throw money away on the car.

Unfortunately, Porsche refuses to comment on rumors. It might be years before we find out what is really happening behind closed doors in Zuffenhausen. 

Source: Automobile