Check todays` PistonHeads for details of rumours in the German press that the new entry level Boxter will be powered by a Audi four cylinder 2.0 Litre turbocharged engine producing 268bhp.
The article makes reference to the fact this will be the first 4 cylinder engine Porsche has considered since the demise of the 968 in 1995.
they keep doing that - they talked about a new 914 of sorts too - i think they are trying to appease the import fuel economy standards by diluting their fleet with higher mpg cars to offset the pigs
I think they are worried about killing their flagship 911. in the mid-90's, the 968 Turbo could (for a 4-cyl.) put forth a respectable foot vs. the 911 - for a fraction of the cost. Porsche would lose $$ from 911 sales if the Turbo was mass-marketed. However, at least in the "Bigger, Badder, Better"-minded USA... I think there'd still be a huge 911 market, just on the merit that it was a bigger engine and cost more. All a status thing, esp. in places like L.A. - sorry Flash and kin. Used to live there, I'm allowed to bash! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
Anyways - I would love to see a 968 revival. Who is it that has a mock-up of a 968 with new headlights as their avatar? I think that looks spiffy. Give it a turbo and 300rwhp. Yeeeeaaaahhhhh!!!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]
they keep doing that - they talked about a new 914 of sorts too - i think they are trying to appease the import fuel economy standards by diluting their fleet with higher mpg cars to offset the pigs
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Flash you ment "pigs" in the nicest possible way, right? LOL
Ther was also mention of taking the 4 banger development "in house" and creating a boxer layout. They could just pop a Subie engine in there.
I have an 06 Audi A4 with the 2.0 FSI turbo. Fantasic motor. Very quick and always 30+mpg on a highway trip. 23mpg around town. That is with a 6 speed and quattro.
I believe there was a brief discussion of the "entry level Boxter in a recent issue of Road & Track. If I recall correctly the article said that Porsche was considering a Tubo diesel engine as well. I've heard that one of the issues with using exist Audi designed engines whether TDI or gasoline is that they are not a boxer design and using one would raise the center of gravity and reciprocating mass in the chassis requiring some redesign.
I suppose you could design a diesel fuel boxer engine, don't know if anyone has tried.
A light weight 4 cylinder Boxer might be a real kick to drive. The new Speedster!!
<!--quoteo(post=74177:date=Jun 18 2009, 06:57 PM:name=Chris Vais)-->QUOTE (Chris Vais @ Jun 18 2009, 06:57 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I suppose you could design a diesel fuel boxer engine, don't know if anyone has tried.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Subaru actually markets a boxer diesel here in Europe, so it has been done.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/auto...ws/4286323.html
Speaking of VW and the 914...there was an article in R&T about a diesel mid-engine sports car from VW that had the looks of a modern 914 with the roof panel and all. 50 mpg in a sports car that is fun and pretty fast too!!!!