Porsche Plans a 4 Cylinder Boxster For 2011

Yah, that's what we've been waiting for - the Porsche EconoBox-ster...

While the japanes getting premium, the German getting econo...... Funny, isn't it?

Times are changing and in difficult economic times this is the right move by Porsche. The engine is likely the 2.0T from VAG which is a very good engine and opens up a nice market for Porsche.

good point...i was thinking the same

I doubt a flat 4 is going in there. I can however, see the 2.0T being modified to lay horizontally ala BMW Motorrad "flying brick" style. That would keep weight low in the car and really would be a fantastic engine for the Porsche. Honestly, the Boxter doesn't need a whole lot of power....

Just bring back the 944!

the 968 had a 3.0 4 cylinder also and that was a great car

the 968 was an awesome car, 6spd, variocam timing, about 250hp n/a , 300+ hp / 368.8 ft lbs in the Turbo S going 4.5 0-60 and 12.9 in the 1/4 (faster that the F355 in both 0-60 and the 1/4)but I could never get over those 928ish bug eyed headlights.......

Let's see a base Boxster 2.7 is around $45 grand. If Porsche would charge say $37 or 38 grand for the base one I might just be able to swing a used one when it's couple of yrs old. However I'm not sure they would use the VAG engine on the Boxster.Rather I predict a 4 cylinder based on the flat 6. The development has already been done. The VAG engine I predict to be used on the mid engine adaptation VW platform that may be coming out for VW and Audi. That car would be the 356 revival car.

Probable to make a shorter wheelbase as it can easily be a transverse engine.

You're close -- Porsche is not going to put the four into the Boxter; it is bringing out an even smaller sports car to be its entry-level as the Boxster continues to march upmarket.
997TT makes an excellent point below; many young guys think a four-cylinder engine is less prestigious, but many iconic cars that made certain company's reputations had four-cylinder engines (the BMW 2002 and Porsche 356 immediately come to mind, along with Ferrari's Monza racer from the 1950s and BMW's turbo engine for Formula 1 in the 1980s).
I love the straight six in my Bimmer, but that little four in my first GTI was no joke.

yes people that like BMW are not Badgewhores?!?!

Badgewhore,

Porsche made some amazing 4-cylinder engines in the past. They have the technology to produce cars or engines that are competitive or even superior to that of Nissan or Honda and vice versa. It's a natural aspect of competition.

Dont get upset. badgewhore's reputation is known by most members of autospies.

The S2000 most certainly hasn't got the highest torque/litre output, as a matter of fact, the S2000 only has 200nm out of a 2 litre, that's no better than say VW's n/a 2.0 FSI.
The record for highest torque output per litre belongs to BMW with the M3 CSL. 360nm out of a 3.2.

And the reason the Porsches from the early 90's didn't make as much power/litre as the NSX was pretty simple. The engines in the 911's where aircooled and only had 2 valves per cilinder.
Plus the 1990 Carrera RS already was more powerfull with 300hp. Pretty impressive for an aircooled 12v engine.

I'll take the TTS over this easily.

I would take a mid engined sportscar over any FWD based car any time of the day.A 220 HP turbo 4 that weighs in at 2700 LBS and is not corrupted by torque steer and a heavier AWD option will win big time in my book.

if they make it a more focused car then anything is possible. If they can slap in some good turbochargers and have a good chassis the car may match or beat the current Boxster.

The younger generations view less cylinders as less prestigious and that's quite sad. Based on all the cars heritage not everyone had big V8's or V12's back in the early days and it doesn't mean smaller engines can't perform. It all boils down to bragging rights, "I have a 6.0L V8" versus "I have a 4 cylinder". But it shouldn't deter buyers. People will still buy the car. The Boxster, although isn't my favorite choice other than a 911, is quite a good build and handles great.