Skip to main content

Porsche’s new turbocharged flat-fours will make between 240 and 370 hp

Closely following the auto industry’s downsizing trend, Porsche is gearing up to launch its first flat-four engines since the 914 and the 912E were axed nearly four decades ago. A report coming out of England sheds valuable insight into what we can expect from the four-cylinder-powered Boxster and Cayman that are now right around the corner.

Both the entry-level Boxster and Cayman are set to get a 2.0-liter flat-four that will use a single turbocharger and a direct fuel-injection system to develop 240 horsepower, 25 less than the 2.7-liter flat-six that currently equips the base model Boxster and 35 less than the six found in the Cayman. How Porsche will make up for the loss in power is anyone’s guess.

Recommended Videos

A six-speed manual transmission will come standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic unit will be available at an extra cost.

Moving up, the mid-level S models will swap their 3.4-liter flat-six, which makes 315 and 325 horsepower in the Boxster and Cayman, respectively, for a 300-horsepower 2.5-liter flat-four. The mill will again be fitted with a single turbo and direct injection, and the transmission options will carry over from the base models.

Finally, the GTS variants will use an evolution of the S’s 2.5-liter tuned to deliver up to 370 ponies, a generous increase over the outgoing Cayman GTS’s 340-horsepower 3.6-liter flat-six.

In short, most Cayman and Boxster models will lose a pair of cylinders and go turbo. The only exceptions will be the Cayman GT4 (pictured), which will continue to use a modified version of the 911’s 3.8-liter flat-six, and the Boxster Spyder, which will soldier on with a slightly less powerful version of the same six.

England’s CAR magazine reports the mechanical updates will be accompanied by a discreet shot of Botox as well as additional standard and optional features, including safety-focused equipment and electronic driving aids.

Porsche will introduce the updated Cayman and Boxster either next January at the Detroit Motor Show or the following March at the Geneva Motor Show, and they will go on sale in time for the 2017 model year. Surprisingly, the Cayman will reportedly be re-positioned half a notch below its topless sibling in a bid to boost sales.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Cheaper EVs ahead? GM and LG say new battery cells are the key
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV front quarter view.

General Motors and LG Energy Solution have announced a new phase in their ongoing partnership: developing a new battery cell chemistry that could significantly lower the cost of electric vehicles. The joint effort centers on lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery cells, a variation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) that’s gaining popularity for being more affordable and less reliant on expensive materials like nickel and cobalt.

This is a big deal because battery costs are still the single largest expense in producing EVs. According to GM and industry experts, LMFP cells could help bring the cost of electric vehicles close to — or even on par with — gas-powered cars. The goal? Making EVs accessible to a broader range of drivers without sacrificing range or performance.

Read more
Waymo recalled 1,200 robotaxis following collisions with road barriers
Waymo Jaguar I-Pace

Waymo’s autonomous-car technology has made great advances over the years to the point where it’s now allowed to offer paid robotaxi rides in select locations in the U.S.

But the development of the technology is ongoing, and the robotaxi rides continue to gather valuable data for Waymo engineers to pore over as they further refine the driverless system to make it as reliable and efficient as possible. Which is why glitches will sometimes occur.

Read more
Apple CarPlay Ultra looks stunning in Aston Martin supercar debut
Apple CarPlay Ultra

Apple CarPlay Ultra is the next generation of the Cupertino, California-based firm's smartphone projection system for your car, and it's available in new vehicles in the US and Canada.

When we say "new cars", your options are very much limited to one brand... Aston Martin. So you'll need deep pockets if you want to experience CarPlay Ultra for yourself.

Read more