RE: Is there hope for the 718 Boxster? PH Blog

[CS Garth]

Most of the housewives and retired types who drive them in my 'hood probably wouldn't notice if they stuck a steam engine under the bonnet so long as it was badged as pork and looked good.

For what it's worth change seems inevitable to me

[Tuna]

Guvernator said:

I'm not even a hater of turbo charging, I've owned some fantastic turbo'd cars in the past, it's just in terms of character, the current implementations leave a lot to be desired. Personally I really think the current trend for this anodyne turbocharged, diesel-alike, dsg boxed race to the lowest common denominator solution to current emissions regulations is leading to a low point in car development, I can't actually think of very many new cars that I actually desire.

Where do you stand on supercharging?

[W124]

I had a 968 once. God rest it's soul. The (4 cylinder) engine was an absolute work of art. Porsche know their stuff. They have a bit of history with Turbos, no? Also (as others have mentioned) it's a flat four. Bound to sound pretty cool, and relatively unique. Much humble pie will no doubt be eaten.

[SirSquidalot]

Its a shame they couldnt have made it lghter than the last gen. I still think it will be a fantastic car, but i think it will struggle to have the character of the 6 pot.

[chrispmartha]

smilo996 said:

The video is like a comedy and should be shown in University marketing seminars about the dangers of pushing a point and unjustified connection for the sake of image much too far.

The cracks in Porschar's range now become chasms. There are just better cars in every range out there now. It is just another badge in the VW group now.

Just sounds like hyperbole to me. What are these cracks? Arent Porsche the most profitable car manufacturer out there?

Be interesting to see your list of 'better' cars in each if theirsegments though.

I am by no means a fan boy, I am a fan though and i hope to get another this year, they are by no means perfecr but the over reaction on here is quite a thing to behold

[Cotic]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I remember that was the story that came out, and was publicised very heavily, just before the launch of BMW's Active Tourer; the minging FWD one. I doubt that was a 'real' survey, to be honest.

[Dan Trent]

Guvernator said:

I'd really like PH to do an article and maybe ask some engineers why the smaller capacity turbo has become so ubiquitous and whether there are any alternatives (or if they were even considered).

Challenge accepted, though it won't be the work of a moment.

I realise there's a danger of falling into self-parody but the MX-5 - or, rather, Mazda in general - offers an alternative. The whole Skyactiv thing is really interesting and they, pretty much alone, are sticking with (relatively) large capacity and normal aspiration with the super high compression petrol. The turbo diesels meanwhile use super low compression so they can have a lighter block, etc... so Certainly the petrols need revs though so you have to fear a generation of drivers raised on peak torque at 1,900rpm howsoever fuelled are going to think them slow.

I know the Skyactiv chief engineer Fujiwara from the MX-5 race I did. Well, he knows who I am, mainly because I crashed into him (it was 50/50, racing incident, etc... ) so next opportunity I have to speak with him and others in his field it would be interesting to explore the topic further. Maybe a job for Geneva show.

Cheers,

Dan

[CABC]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

i'll make a case for the 1-series having chains on the correct wheels.

[MikeGalos]

danllama said:

Hehe I chuckled

Then my work here is done.

[MIP1983]

Not a particularly emotive sports car sound in the vids. That's part of the appeal of a drop-top sports car to me. Surely buying a sports car is always an emotional rather than rational choice right?

I'm only in the market for a 2nd hand car of this type, so it's not hugely relevant for me today, but if down the line I had to choose between an older N/A 6 and the kind of four pot you'd get in a hot Golf, I'll take the old N/A thanks.

[Newro]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[jayemm89]

Guvernator said:

The thing is there is a choice or at least there should be. Are you telling me that with all the thousands of very clever engineers around the world, the only thing they can collectively come up with to meet the emissions legislation, is "stick a smaller turbocharged engine in it"? Surely there is another way.

So, the Boxster and Cayman have ALWAYS come under fire for being "held back" by Porsche. At least now the engines are significantly different again. From an engineer's perspective if you can get the required power from a 4-pot, no need to have a 6-pot in its place. The power Porsche is currently getting out of the 3.0 six is very modest compared to what BMW are getting from their engines, so there's plenty of room to move.

I am reasonably confident it isn't so much an emissions thing, as a top trumps thing. Also, most people will judge how quick a car is by putting their boot down at 2,000 rpm in 4th - not a great way to test a high revving, NA engine. When all others are moving to smaller, turbocharged units and reaping the torque benefits... not much you can do.

If Porsche put the 3.0 turbo six in the car (who's to say there is room for it?) then it would have been way too easy for people to knock them for holding the engine back as it would have been producing pitiful power

What I think is really interesting is the Boxster is getting the variable vane tech from the 911 Turbo - something the new Carrera isn't getting. as far as I know the VVT is still a unique porsche thing.

[anonymous-user]

Cotic said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I remember that was the story that came out, and was publicised very heavily, just before the launch of BMW's Active Tourer; the minging FWD one. I doubt that was a 'real' survey, to be honest.

It's ok cmoose is not heavily into facts, he prefers his unique version of reality

[anonymous-user]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

But you write so much material to ridicule.

[anonymous-user]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

But you write so much material to ridicule.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 29th January 19:10

[Guvernator]

Dan Trent said:

Challenge accepted, though it won't be the work of a moment.

That's great to hear Dan, look forward to it. As an interested PH'er who can't help but lament the way some things are going in the motor industry, I'd be really interested in learning about the challenges that face the engineers these days and why no one besides Mazda seems to be looking for another way. While you're there, can you also find out why turbo cars are designed to be boring these days when they weren't previously and whether they are aware of this loss of character or even perceive it as an issue?

Thanks

[is1]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yep. And engineers generally are fairly ambivalent about "emotion".
They always refer to "solutions" and the solution for a road car bought by people who have paid the mortgage is easy power, safe to overtake, reasonably enjoyable to drive, easy to park and, increasingly, must have every gadget under the sun even though it's only being driven 2.5 miles to the local out of town shopping park.
I get the lack of choice thing but the engineers have delivered a solution that offers most buyers of this type of vehicle new more of what they want.

[nickfrog]

is1 said:

bought by people who have paid the mortgage is easy power

I can't see the connection with a mortgage ?

[otolith]

PHMatt said:

All I'll say about the engine is - if Subaru can make a 4 pot sound nice then Porsche can do better.

Well then, let's wait and see if Subaru ever do.

[Guvernator]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sadly I think you may be right, the whole world has been spoiled by diesels and cars which feel fast at 1000rpm. No one goes above 4krpm anyway as it's anti-social\makes too much noise, too much hard work, bad for the engine plus one baby seal is instantly killed for every rpm you go over.