Apparently, Porsche is interested in producing some new engines: flat-fours. Per CAR magazine:
A 1.6-liter version will produce 210 horsepower, a 2.0-liter version will be good for 286 hp, and a 2.5-liter version will produce 360 hp.
As well:
The horizontally opposed engine layout will obviously cut CO2 and boost economy, yet keep a genetic link to the famous flat-six engines which have powered the 911 for decades. Don’t forget 2014’s Porsche 919 Hybrid Le Mans racecar also uses a four-cylinder engine, albeit a V4.
Subaru is the only other car manufacturer to build flat-four engines, which typically have a charismatic soundtrack as evidenced on the Impreza family over the years.
Digital Trends has further information:
With power outputs that high and displacements that low, expect all engines in this family to feature turbocharging and direct injection. Each engine will also feature the same horizontally-opposed boxer configuration as the company’s signature six-cylinder motors.
The 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines are expected to find their way into the Boxster, Cayman, and Cayenne, with other models likely to follow as Porsche grapples with stricter global emissions standards.
The 1.6-liter version is reportedly in limbo. It was apparently intended for a “baby Boxster” sports car that could have spawned Audi and Volkswagen siblings, but has now been shelved.
I’ve heard at least one Subaru enthusiast complain that Subaru should be trying to build a boxer engine that outputs 350-360 HP. If you look across the car-maker spectrum, there are not that many 4-cylinder cars in production (mass produced) that are making power at that level. In fact, there’s currently only one. The CLA45 AMG. And that car is $50K+. The engine is also fortified to Hell and back, too (much of the money they want for the car is due to the fortification process of the engine). Now, Porsche is attempting something similar. Notice a trend? It’s the luxury manufacturers that are designing H.O. 4-cylinder engines. No one else is. That’s a niche Mercedez and Porsche can afford to fill. I highly doubt a Japanese manufacturer will do this (they haven’t yet). Now, Mitsubishi was producing the FQ series of Evos, but I’m not sure those should be factored into this discussion, as that variant of Evos are expensive as hell, only available to the UK, and are very limited productions). And you see where Mitsubishi is now (they’re in financial trouble and have been for years).
If a Subaru fan wants more power, there’s a vast aftermarket world available to him/her. There’s no need to pine/whine about what Porsche and Mercedez are making…a Subaru rarely compares to cars such as those, although a recent comparison of an BMW 4-series, a CLA45 AMG, and a 2015 Subaru STI ended up with the STI being on top due to its handling characteristics. I think Subaru knows what they’re doing. There’s no need for them to be enticed into a HP war that escalates into a vehicle that’s not attainable to most average people. Subaru is doing fine and has been for awhile. Just my 2 cents.