Porsche 718
 

Hmm. this could be stiff competition.

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2014/6/1...90-KG-7720851/

Have been reading about this one recently, seems like my new realistic dream car.

agreed

Vert, no care.

Hardly competition in the marketplace if it's priced at $40k usd. This does slot in right against the Alfa 4C though!

I wish it were a coupe too :(

Good point, out the door you're probably closer to 50k+

Agree, not a fan of a convertible (otherwise I'd be in a Miata or S2k) and I thought the price was too much until I read the specs:

1,190 kg = 2,624 lbs
2.0L Tarbo = 286 hp
2.5L = 360 hp

:eyebulge:

Then again they thought the GT86 would produce those numbers at that price anyway and that didn't pan out. If you can walk out the door with a Porsche for <$40k that's under 2,900 lbs and producing >250 hp it'll be a serious contender.

Maybe they're reading these boards and think they can scoop up all the paranoid owners with minimal engineering effort.
Edit: No mention of engine config, when's the last time they made a flat four?

From what I can find, a 2L in 1976, in the 912 and 914...

I rather they make a front engine, rear wheel drive car. Either like the 944 or the cult status 928.

(And yes, I know you probably meant a lightweight, small FR car that isn't fugly...)

$10K less than a boxter could get well past $50K in a hurry.

They didn't mention drivetrain layout in the rumor article, it could very well be FR, although personally if it's only going to have two seats anyway might as well go MR, it'd be cheaper to repurpose their Cayman/Boxster drivetrain than to cannibalize their SUV's and Sedan. Article did claim RWD though.

The more I think about it the more I think it's just going to be a stripped out boxster, which is nice, but not terribly interesting.

2.0L Turbo in the Macan produces 234 hp, that'd probably be the most economical engine to put in there since it's shared across the VW line and if they hit the idealized 2600 lbs should be a nice upgrade from the Toyobaru. And to @chrisl according to the wiki article on the Macan, Porsche's last 4 cylinder car was the 968 so I think you're right that the 914 was the last flat-4.

Step 1: Remove Engine.








Too soon?

That's a sedan.

A hideous sedan.

When's the last time they made a four at all? I wouldn't be too worried though, they make awesome flat sixes. A 2.5 is basically their 3.6 flat six with two less cylinders and a touch more stroke.

I wonder if it'll be twin turbo like their Carrera turbos, or single turbo?

Yes. Yes it is. Embrace the ugliness...

(God they're fast though, especially the Turbos...)

$40K MR turbo Porsche? Wishful thinking.

This has been rumored for quite some time now. With that said, I'll believe it when I see it.

It won't be a flat 4, it'll be the VW/Audi 2.0T inline 4 and 2.5T inline 5 cylinder (like in the TTRS). They won't be reinventing the wheel when both those engines are well proven and readily available for them to use.

They're both FWD engines, so they'll just be put behind the seats transverse to drive the rear wheels (like an MR2).

This looks fucking awesome. 286hp 2L or 360hp 2.5L? Factory turbo flat 4? 2600 POUNDS?! PORSCHE?! Holy shit! Mini-Boxster FTW!

Just sharing more info: http://www.leftlanenews.com/porsche-718.html

This entire thread is speculation, there is literally zero evidence.

But I think you're right which is why I posted a similar sentiment already, the turbo 4 in the Macan is based on the 2.0T VW/Audi if not nearly identical so the infrastructure is there. Like was said above, a brand new flat engine from Porsche is not going to slide in under $50k anytime soon.

Well they currently make an inline 4 for the Macan.

Before that was the 968 in 1994.


If they're anywhere close to the target weight then there's no way in hell they'll put a >260hp powerplant in there, it'll smoke a base Boxster and Cayman for $10k less? They might as well stop selling them. <$50k, <2,700 lbs, ~240-250 horses sounds about right.

With Porsche's crazy options prices, you could probably touch 60k with a "entry level" car.

The concept sounds good on paper. Now to see how it drives and looks.

you want to know how i know this is bullshit? this thing is more powerful, lighter and cheaper.

I'll wait for the baby Cayman version

more rumors, ill believe it when i see an actual concept or test mule.

2700lbs and 286hp would put the base Boxster in a tough position. This is Porsche, they will protect their existing nameplates without shame, take a look at the Caymen vs the 911. The base Boxster has 265hp and is $50k. I don't think we'll see a lower model offering anymore then that with regards to HP.

2600lbs and 250hp makes a good bit of sense for the base model. 300hp for the up trim. Both versions would give a base boxster a run for its money, and 300hp and 2600lbs would put a serious frown on Boxster S owners faces. 360hp and 2600lbs is absurd...it would shame anything in Porsche's lineup less you jump right to the 911. I just don't see that kind of power being offered in a new "starter" model.

2600lbs and 250hp is about 0-60 in 5.5 and 1/4th in high 13's, comparable to a base Boxster. Couple that with excellent handling dynamics and the Porsche name, and I could see people shelling out $40k for the 718. I'd like to see it start at $35k to lure people from some domestic and import offerings, but alas that might cheapen the brand too much.

I don't think they'd even allow 300hp to happen. The Boxster has to remain a higher performing variant, and if they are downsizing to a 2.5L it won't have a turbo, because with a turbo it would be faster than a Boxster. If they go for a turbo 4 it's going to be a 2.0L or so, naturally aspirated would be a 2.2-2.5 or something.

Necro with speculation:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEyLGnfT2Pc"]2015 Porsche Cayman 4-cylinder TURBO testing at the Nürburgring! - YouTube[/ame]

This would indicate putting R&D money in a cheaper more efficient powerplant that may scale up throughout the line rather than a cheaper lighter chassis, but of course, they can do both (*mazda shaved ~200 lbs. off the 3 while dropping the price >$1k and giving it a motor that was only a year or two old).

obligatory fuck yeah not another boring VAG I4

Edit: Healthy amount of skepticism here, just opinions based off noises, but it really reminds me of an STI...