We've heard this before, but this time it's straight from the source: Porsche is developing a four-cylinder engine. Not just any four-cylinder engine, but a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer good for 360 horsepower.
Be still our hearts.
This rumor's been kicking around for at least two years, but Britain's Autocar got it straight from Wolfgang Durheimer, the outgoing head of R&D. “We have a four-cylinder boxer engine under development,” he told Autocar scribe Greg Kable, and it “can be applied” to the Boxster and Cayman.
A mid-engined turbo'd four-banger Porsche? Oh yes, please. Don't scoff. The first Porsche had a mid-mounted four, as did such amazing cars as the 550 and the 904 Carerra GTS.
Such an engine raises all kinds of interesting possibilities as Porsche -- like every other automaker -- strives to meet tightening fuel economy and emissions regs. Porsche is said to be working on a small roadster that shares bits with the gorgeous Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster and finally won an internal debate to outfit the car with its own engine. Think of it as the 914 redux.
And then there's the possibility of a return of the 912, which was a 911 with the 356 engine. "Our decision is, on the 911 side, we’ll stay with the flat [six]," Durheimer told Autocar. "But there are opportunities for the future.”
Indeed.
Photo: Porsche. Ferry Porsche and assorted lackeys with a 914 in 1969.
