The trail of rumors of Porsche working on a flat-four engine can be traced back to 2011 when the rumor of the entry-level model was still flying around. Since that time, the entry-level project has been reportedly canned, but the flat-four engine still carrying on. We last heard about this back in 2012 when a turbocharged version was reportedly going into a high-performance variant of the Cayman. Since then, it has been radio silence. Until this past week.

Car Magazine reportedly got a look at spec sheet on the flat-four engine project which lists three different variants. The variants include,

• 1.6L flat-four: 210 horsepower, N/A on torque
  
• 2.0L flat-four: 286 horsepower, 295 pound-feet
  
• 2.5L flat-four: 360 horsepower, 347 pound-feet
  

All engines pack direct-injection and turbocharging.

Sources tell Car that the 2.0 and 2.5 have been given the green light, and will be on Boxster/Cayman and Cayenne first. We're scratching our head on the Cayenne getting this engine first and not the Macan. The fate of the 1.6 is currently unknown as that was expected to go into the entry-level model.

Source: Car Magazine

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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I think this will prove to be worthwhile for them.

Interesting, technology is sure allowing a shrinkage of engine size but an increase in performance. Now to see how it lasts over the long haul of the engine life.

A whole different era than when you put a 396 in to a Caprice as a regular production option....

A whole different era than when you put a 396 in to a Caprice as a regular production option....

Very true, I know i have posted my feeling on the small turbo charged engines and a few have pointed to versions of Saab, Subaru, etc as long life on Turbo charged engines but I still will hold off on saying they can truly replace the V8 especially in a truck or full size suv for hauling. My experience with turbo engines excluding diesel is that they do not last. I will be watching GM's V6 engine as well as Ford and Ram for how they hold up in the commercial world as well as tough home use.