German sports car maker, Porsche, may soon be doing the unthinkable: offering at least one four cylinder powered model in their product mix.

Porsche, along with most other automakers, has suffered tremendously this year as sales have plunged by more than 17% through August 2008. In August, Porsche’s sales were down a whopping 45%; both figures apply to the US market only.

A Four Cylinder Engine For Porsche?

The decision to build a car with a four cylinder engine hasn’t been finalized, but it is something that Porsche believes that they must consider in order to garner more sales. Several years ago Porsche boldly expanded its product line up by adding an SUV, the Porsche Cayenne, a vehicle that alarmed purists but helped stoke the company’s bottom line.

By introducing the Cayenne, Porsche contended that they were losing sales to BMW and Mercedes as families who needed more room were forced to look beyond Porsche’s two-seater product offerings. With the SUV market expanding, adding this type of vehicle was deemed to be critical to helping Porsche.

Cayenne Sales Are Up For The Year

Apparently, Porsche is doing well with the Cayenne as its year to date truck sales are up almost 4% for the year, according to Autodata Corp. who tracks this information. Cayenne is the only vehicle sold by Porsche under the truck category.

If Porsche chooses to add a four cylinder engine to its product mix, it wouldn’t be a strange engine for Porsche. As recently as the 1980s, both the Porsche 924 and 944 models offered four cylinder engines, a technology Porsche traces all the way back to the 1930s.

Targeting the Boxster

The likeliest recipient for a four cylinder engine would be the Porsche Boxster, the smallest and lightest of all Porsche models. Some analysts are theorizing that Porsche could easily make the transition to a four cylinder engine by removing two cylinders from a current six cylinder engine and coming up with a 2.4L flathead four cylinder.

Another option would be for Porsche to harvest an existing four cylinder engine from partner Volkswagen and modifying it according to their needs. The two automakers have a long history of sharing technology and co-developing vehicles with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne underpinned by the same truck platform.

Lastly, Porsche might also consider developing an all-new model, perhaps a four passenger sport sedan to expand its product line and to provide a fuel efficient model. That move would further infuriate Porsche loyalists, but in face of the current economic climate and concerns about global energy, a hotrod compact sedan might be the direction Porsche will go.

 

dream car a mclaren f2 or a porsche carrera gt

I sold my ‘79 911 Targa and I loved it but I wanted a newer generation Porsche so I’m narrowing it down. I also thought about a Boxster but I think the 911 is classic so I think I’ll stick to that. I could think about a Boxster S as well but that might run me more that I want to spend…($15k tops) What do you think?

they say if i get into a car accident im going to die on the spot is this true?? im a female driver i dont drink and drive or speed so should i be worried?

I dont particularly like honda’s so none of those. I drive a porsche now so i want something that will be abl to be just as fast but is easier to get parts and make it toatally custom. I want a car that i can work with the motor and what not…

I am trying to sell a porsche carrera, and i am having trouble getting it onto ebay. Any suggestions or guidance?

Looking at both these SUV’s and they would be used 2004 or 2005. What are your thoughts?

Here are the videos:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=124973

For half the money of a Porsche turbo, same price as the BMW M3, the GT-R is faster on track than a Bugatti Veyron and Porsche turbo and GT3, probably GT2 too, with an acceleration time from 0-60 of 3.2 seconds (Faster than a Ferrari Enzo). How will this affect the competition if there is any?
Well EuroStud…

While the GT-R isn’t a direct competitor, car professionals still tested it against the M3. I’m just wondering, can Mercedes build something that can better the GT-R’s performance and how? The Mercedes SLR is Mercedes’ fastest supercar and it only goes 0-60 in 3.8 seconds compared to the GT-R’s 3.2 seconds. And while the GT-R had better track times than the Veyron, I’m sure the SLR wuldn’t be faster than the GT-R…Maybe Mercedes needs better engineers…

There was a segment on TV last night about full circular disc brakes being developed. They use them in the GT class on Porsche’s. Do you think NASCAR will or should go to them in the future?
I mean circular full contact disc brakes. Not standard 1/6 contact disc brakes.

Hey mm01fan.. I thoguht you would know this being a mechanic and all.

Before you flame someone, read your answer. And more importantly the question…..
I mean circular full contact disc brakes. Not standard 1/6 contact disc brakes.

Hey mm01fan.. I thoguht you would know this being a mechanic and all.

Before you flame someone, read your answer. And more importantly the question…..

And yes, I have been on the net for quite a while, since 1995 or 1996 (or there abouts)

Smoke,Smoke,Smoke……

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Hi - I am looking to buy these porsche 993 Cup wheels for my 1988 951. The wheel dimensions are as follows (wheels are OEM, not replica) Dimensions for Back wheels : 17 x 9 with Pirelli P6000 255/40/ZR17. Front wheels : 17 x 7 Michelin Pilot SX 225/45/R17

I am pretty sure that these wheels will fit my 951 given the later year offset, but I was wondering if this dimension of tires affects the handling and performance of the car? in a negative way?

Thanks!

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