Porsche Reportedly Working on Flat-Four Engine

Porsche’s mighty SUV, the Cayenne, might come with diesel engines and big V8s, but the carmaker is best known for its flat-six models that power their sportscar models. However, according to an AutoCar report, the German automaker is working on a four-cylinder, more specifically a flat-four, to power not only the rumored small Porsche but also the Boxster and Cayman.

While talking to reporters at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, Wolfgang Durheimer, the head of research and development for the automaker, said that the company was already hard at work on the development of the new mill. He also admitted that the unit “can be applied” to the Boxster and Cayman.

Porsche is expected to introduce the four-cylinder on its new small roadster, which should use the same platform and some components as the VW Bluesport and a sister car from Audi. Sharing as much as possible between the models would certainly cut down on development costs for the three, but Porsche seems bent on powering its version with its own engine.

A flat-four sub-Boxster model might not be a bad idea, as it could mean the model will be more frugal and better for the environment. With VW’s influence the engine could have easily been an inline model, so we should at least be glad it's a flat-four.

AutoCar sources suggest the engine is a 2.5-liter and has been producing around 360 bhp while being tested in turbocharged form. That’s more power than either the current Boxster S or the Cayman S.