Porsche gets serious about four-pot engines

The launch of the four-cylinder Macan earlier in April marked the German manufacturer’s first four-pot production engine in a Porsche since 1992. Earlier reports had Porsche boss, Matthias Müller, confirm that the next generation of mid-engined cars from the Porsche stable, namely the Boxster and Cayman, will get turbocharged four-cylinder engines in ‘Boxer’ configuration. In the interest of meeting stringent fuel efficiency norms the world over, Porsche will continue in its engine downsizing efforts.

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After the Macan, the Boxster and Cayman will be next in line to get four-pot motors[/caption]

While the Macan shares its engine with the VW Golf GTI, the under-development flat-four engines will be all-new and produce more power than the current 3.4-litre flat-six engine which develops 330bhp in the Boxster and 340bhp in the Cayman. While no other information has been revealed, Müller suggested that the new breed of four-pot engines would develop up to 395bhp. In all probability, only the top-spec Boxster and Cayman will sport this power figure, while the lower-spec variants will receive de-tuned versions of the same engine.

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The chassis of the Boxster can handle more power[/caption]

Porsche used to be considered a traditionalist brand, delivering some of the most brilliant handling and performance-packed cars in the world. Purists have bemoaned this apparent loss of focus in the crop of Porsche’s line-up as manual transmissions are being phased out and smaller, turbocharged engines are set to become the norm. However, the sound of a flat-four is something that I personally look forward to hearing, in addition to the fact that the turbocharged motor will out-power the current flat-six by 60bhp. Since the Boxster and Cayman have a chassis that can take a lot more power, the extra grunt should not prove a problem and will deliver a faster, more efficient car.

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Expect both manual and dual-clutch transmissions as options in the next gen Cayman[/caption]

If you can let go of dogma, it should be clear that there are few or no drawbacks to the new four-cylinder engines.

To read more about Porsche’s four-cylinder plans, click here.