How do you turn a Porsche into a Subaru? I hope they don’t forget the coffee can sized muffler so it can go down the road sounding like one long continuous fart.

Article follows:

PORSCHE MAY ADD FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINES TO 911

For better or worse, the governmental and social concern with fuel efficiency is a real and serious consideration for the world’s major carmakers. Porsche being increasingly numbered among them with is full line of vehicles and strong sales, it is beginning to consider how it might make concessions to improve emissions without gutting the performance of its vehicles. One idea near the top of the list is the inclusion of four-cylinder engines in its lineup.

A Porsche engineer has stated at an Australian press conference that Porsche is not averse to using four-cylinder engines, should the need arise. Thomas Krickelberg, Porsche’s head of powertrain development, revealed that the six-cylinder engines found in the 911 had been designed so that they could have the number of their cylinders reduced if there was a “strong need to do it”.

Addressing motoring press attending an Australian launch of the Porsche 911, Krickelberg cited “global warming and the need to reduce fuel consumption as being the most likely motivating factors in any decision to reduce the number of cylinders in the famous Porsche flat-six.

Krickelberg noted that reducing the number of cylinders would be relatively easy, as the engine was designed to be versatile. He also commented on the necessity to produce socially responsible cars, as well as impending CO2-limiting legislation that could force Porsche to drastically change their current approach to engine technology. Already the German manufacturer is developing a hybrid Porsche Cayenne to placate customers who want to be seen as more socially responsible.

Porsche’s legendary flat-six has provided the powerplant for several generations of the 911, but even Porsche may be forced to abandon its trademark engine in response to global events. A flat-four or four-cylinder boxer engine has been used successfully by Subaru in its Impreza and WRX among other vehicles. The WRX also uses a turbocharger to boost power. Presumably, Porsche could also follow this route, if the need arose, to reduce the number of cylinders in its cars but maintain similar power levels.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/c...for-flat-four/

 

Dude, relax. I don't see anything that says Porsche will abandon the flat six. Rather, they are talking about adding a flat 4 to the line-up to lower the overall emissions of their cars. Flat 4 might make for a fun car if they lighten up the car generally.

 

Interesting. I guess if they added a non-sports car in the form of an SUV to gain market share and make mo money I'm not surprised they'd add on to the line up to expand their offerings in other ways.

 

I would have thought they were addressing their fleet-average figures in their purchase of VW.

 

Don't know the pertinent regs, but Porsche currently owns a controlling 50% interest in VW; VW is not wholly owned. Not sure that matters, but if they get to avg with VW, I would think that they would have no problem meeting the requirements of any regulation.

 

Some of that statement from Porsche might be more for political & public show vs go...
Behind the scenes they are probably saying "ya, suuuuurrree... a 4-banger 911.. NOT"!

 

350HP 4-banger? Bring it and I will drive it

 

356, 550, 904, 912, 914 - am I missing any? But hopefully they'll never take the flat 6 to a 4, only just keep improving it..

 

Never!!!!!!!!!!!!!