Rumours of a low-emissions Boxster have gained more ground today with a report from the UK’s Autocar magazine suggesting a three-cylinder, low CO2 powerplant could join the model range in the near future.
Boxster model line director, Mr Hans-Jurgen Wohler, told Autocar that a three-cylinder engine hasn’t been ruled out when Porsche makes a decision to replace the current six-cylinder unit to meet strict new emissions laws to be introduced in 2012.
“A Boxster with a four-cylinder engine, or maybe even a three-cylinder turbo, could produce between 180bhp and 200bhp (135kW and 149kW) and emit just 180g/km of CO2,” Mr Wohler said.
“Given the Boxster’s history — that it started with a 200bhp, 2.5-litre engine — I think this is possibly something that customers could accept.”
Porsche has yet to make an official ruling on the low-emissions Boxster as it is remains unclear how Volkswagen’s new ownership will impact Porsche’s emissions requirements.
Emissions makes the world boring.
I think this concept is actually quite interesting.
agreed, it’s interesting. Although the power figures quoted here (for lower horsepower model) are about 20kw over what Mazda offer in their MX5, but 40kw lower than the current entry Boxster. While the proof is in the drive itself, rather than paper figures, it will be interesting to see if the potential Boxster customer would accept this as Wohler hopes.
I don’t understand why all these performance car companies are worrying about emissions etc when the proportion of their cars sold is so little. What manufacturers need to do is reduce the emmisions on the large quantity cars, as for Aust, that would be the Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3. They have standard 4 cyclinder engines which should be more fuel efficient and environmenally friendly.
i think what Europe and the US are doing is very smart(for once). if the governmnets set a strict standard such as Euro VI, then manufacturers aee forced to make their cars more compliant, they cant make excuses like our locals. This is when all the innovative tech and better engines are introduced. look at what VW have been doing for years, they saw the upcoming green regs and built powertrains to suit. Holden on the other hand along with Ford, have been sitting around doing nothing. Our governmnet should get more involved and put stricter car emmissions regulations in place instead of this nonsense from Copenhagen. That is when our local manufacturers will stand up and do something.
I too think its a very interesting concept, but the thing that I’m looking more forward to about an Eco-Boxster is that maybe the current base Boxster will finally get some recognition as the brilliant roadster it is without being called a hairdressers car or, the one I simply can’t stand, “not a real Porsche”.
But it ISN’T a real Porche…
Well, I do hope you’re just doing what your name says, but if you are in fact serious, please do explain how the Boxster is not a real Porsche.
Pfffff, why bother with this 3 cylinder junk – I’d rather drive a 1993 993 or some other monster – stuff the emissions and new laws. Looks like us car lovers will be bound to buy and drive 1990′s and early 2000′s cars since all new cars in 2-3 years time will be absolute junk heaps.