Porsche Weighs 3-Cylinder Engine for Boxster to Curb Carmaker's Fleet Emissions

Porsche Weighs 3-Cylinder Engine for Boxster to Curb Carmaker's Fleet Emissions

Porsche's next Boxster lineup may include a low-emissions, fuel-efficient model using a new four-cylinder engine or even a turbocharged three-cylinder power plant, a British publication reported today.

Boxster model line director Hans-Jurgen Wohler told Autocar that a version of the company's entry-level model with a downsized engine would be one way to reduce Porsche's fleet emissions.

"A Boxster with a four-cylinder engine, or maybe even a three-cylinder turbo, could produce between 180 and 200 horsepower and emit just 180 grams/kilometer of CO2," Wohler said. "Given the Boxster's history - that it started with a 200-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine - I think this is possibly something that customers could accept."

Porsche is under a great deal of pressure from the European Union lawmakers to reduce emissions, but "we don't know yet how much we'll have to come down by," Wohler added.

Under EU law, automakers such as Porsche that make fewer than 300,000 cars a year won't need to reach 120 grams/kilometer fleet emissions average by 2012 as required of larger automakers. Instead, they'll simply need to demonstrate that they've reduced their fleet CO2 emissions by 25 percent compared with 2006 - or pay steep fines.

However, it's not yet fully understood how Porsche's majority ownership by Volkswagen will affect its emissions classifications and consequent obligations.

"A low-carbon Boxster would certainly help us to reduce emissions, but it won't be an automatic savior," Wohler told Autocar. "The Boxster isn't the volume seller for us that everyone thinks. On current performance, it's worth 15,000 units per year maximum."

Such is not the case with cross-country rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz. As a result, BMW has already committed to offering a there-cylinder engine in its next-generation 3-series, and Mercedes executives are considering offering 3-cylinder engines in both the next-generation A/B-class replacement and the C-class range.

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.