Tag Archives: Porsche

Bored With The Wrangler

So, I bought a Jeep Wrangler Sport S back in October 2018. I love Wranglers. I still love this vehicle, but I’m not sure it’s Covid-19 (I no longer drive to/from work – in fact, I rarely drive now) or the fact that there’s not a lot of trails around here to drive on, but I’m beginning to be bored with the Wrangler.

It has some mods but nothing traditional. For example, the first thing folks do is throw on big wheels and a lift. I don’t really want bigger wheels or even a lift. Why? Because Jeep will not remedy (under warranty) suspension issues if I start adding my own parts. I like the way the Jeep currently rides. Also, I can’t stand tire hum and big all-terrain tires will do that. Yes, I can have two sets of wheels/tires in case I want to play on the trails, but there are no trails close by. I’m not going to spend the money on a lift and tires/wheels if I’m not going to use those tires/wheels.

Currently, I’ve side steps, LED headlights (mandatory, IMO), and Mopar mats in both the front and back.

What I really miss is my STI. Will I be getting another? Not unless they release a new revamped version.

I have been looking at several other sports cars:

Late model (2008) Porsche 997.1 Carrera 2 Manual

Porsche (2009) 997.2 Carrera 4S w/ PDK & Chrono package.

Early Porsche 718 w/ PDK and Chrono package (I’d prefer the 718S, but most are out of my budget)

Toyota Supra MkV (either the 2020 or the 2021 model)

VW Golf R (2017 or so; DC-equipped)

VW R32

I wouldn’t even mind a hard-top Miata at this point (I’d even consider supercharging it).

I’m leaning heavily toward a Porsche but I’ve to pay off the damned Wrangler first (plus, I’m putting a kid through college with another heading to college in 3 years; another is almost done with college). Plus, the two I really want is either the 997.2 or a 718S. The 991 is too expensive and any 997.2 2010 or above will cost dearly (997.2s have been creeping up in price, too). If I want a 997.2, I should be looking at them now…they might be unattainable if I wait too much longer.

I can also step down in Carrera models (996s, which I do not really care for, especially when those could have IMS issues), but that’s considered settling for less, IMO.

I think I’m just missing a sports car. I suppose I could find an older R32 or Miata and keep the Wrangler too (I’ll definitely consider this option), that way I can have my cake and eat it too. I don’t need a lot of power or an exotic to have some fun.

Porsche Boxster – Sounds Like A WRX!

I was curious about this, then I clicked the link, which took me to a R&T page that had a YouTube video. I was floored.

The video in question:

It took a sec for me to understand that the sound wasn’t coming from the WRX but from a Porsche Boxster.  And it sounded VERY nice.  Very Subaru’ish but still very nice.

A Four-Cylinder Porsche Boxster Is Not the Sign of the Apocalypse

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a28293/porsche-718-boxster-first-ride/

Excerpt:

I’ve flown 10 hours to listen to an engine. Which isn’t that big a deal, really. I once drove 20 hours straight for a corned beef sandwich. But the stakes here are considerably higher. See, Porsche is replacing the near-perfect flat-sixes in its Boxster with brand-new, turbocharged flat-fours. The 718 Boxster now has a 2.0-liter four making 300 horsepower and the 718 Boxster S has a 2.5-liter good for 350 hp.

 

I shared the following news about the Porsche Boxster and Cayman flat-four engines:

Here’s what you need to know about Porsche’s New Turbo Flat-Four Engines

Power Specs and Details on Porsche’s New Boxter and Cayman Engines

Flat Four-cylinder Turbo Porsche Cayman

Porsche to Manufacture Horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder Engines

Yeah, I’ve been fixated on that car because…well, because of the flat-four.  I’m interested in seeing how a non-Subaru manufacturer extracts power from a flat-four.  As well, I’d like to hear how they sound.  I’m also wondering how the Porsche purists will respond to those two cars and their flat-four engines.

Sadly, I’ve not seen or heard much yet, but I’ve no doubt I’ll have my questions answered once the first real reviews are made public.

Here’s What You Need to Know About Porsche’s New Turbo Flat-Four Engines

From Road & Track:

Unlike the 911, which is using a 3.0 liter flat-six in both the Carrera and Carrera S, just with different turbos, the 718 twins will have a 2.0 or a 2.5 liter turbocharged flat four. The 2.0 in the base cars will have 300 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque while the 718 Boxster S will have a 2.5 liter flat-four turbo with 340 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. There could also be a GTS version coming with 365 horsepower.

 

Porsche is going all-in on turbocharging.

Posted by Road & Track Magazine on Tuesday, December 15, 2015

 

In the Facebook comments, I already see people equating the upcoming 718 engines with Subaru EJs.  Now, when has Porsche ever not blazed their own trail?  Porsche will almost certainly ensure this engine will generate glorious (or at least non-nasty) sounds.  Subaru’s trademark sounds are due to the EJs running unequal-length headers.  I highly doubt Porsche will do something stupid like adopt unequal length headers, especially if they opt to use twin-scroll turbochargers.  With luxury-sport cars such as these Porsche variants, they’re going to ensure the car sounds like it looks…fast, powerful, and sleek.

Power Specs and Details on Porsche’s New Boxster and Cayman Engines

2014-10Best-Cars-117-626x382

The bottom line is, Porsche’s all turbo lineup of boxer four-cylinder engines will replace flat-sixes in all but the highest-tier, limited-edition cars.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a26227/boxster-cayman-four-cylinder-power/

http://blog.caranddriver.com/report-details-displacement-horsepower-for-porsche-boxster-cayman-turbo-fours/

Boxster and Cayman turbocharged flat fours will have between 240 and 370 HP, per Road & Track magazine:

Here’s how the pie is being cut: base model cars should see 240 hp from their single-turbo two-liter. Step up to an “S” and displacement jumps to 2.5 liters, and output would be 300 hp. GTS models would receive a 370 hp 2.5-liter, a little below what Porsche CEO Mattias Müller indicated would be the theoretical maximum output of a turbo flat four in the Boxman.?

Car & Driver reports:

Only the ultra-high-performance Boxster Spyder and Cayman GT4 are said to retain their naturally aspirated flat-six engine, a 3.8-liter unit. Which is sure to make them even more highly desired than they already are. Meanwhile, one has to wonder whether the base, S, and GTS versions of the current Boxster/Cayman are destined to become depreciation-proof used cars, in the same vein as the final air-cooled 911 models.

Flat Four-cylinder Turbo Porsche Cayman

I posted awhile back that Porsche might be going mainstream with turbocharged flat-four engines.  Boxer engines aren’t the most efficient when it comes to making power, but they do offer outstanding balance (center of gravity, which will enhance handling).

Here’s another article:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-videos/the-4-cylinder-turbo-porsche-cayman-cometh

4-cylinder Boxster and Cayman Video Footage at NBR??

I just saw the following posted on Facebook:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-videos/this-is-probably-the-flat-four-cayman-at-the-nurburgring

I also posted awhile back about the fact that Porsche was considering using the flat-four layout in upcoming engine options for the Boxster and Cayman.

I then saw the videos provided on that page.  First, they posted a baseline video, so that people know how a current Cayman sounds:

Then, they posted a Boxster andCayman with what’s unarguably a flat-four motor:

I prefer the sound of the flat-six, but the flat-four isn’t bad.

EDIT:

There’s quite a bit of uproar with the Porsche “purists” on R&T’s Facebook page…check out the comments:

 

Standing Mile: 2015 STI and 2014 Porsche Cayman

I saw the below on Google+, posted by Automobile Magazine.

Note that these two cars aren’t really comparable (they both use horizontally-opposed engines but it’s a stretch to think that they’re related in any sense). As well, the STI’s AWD advantage is nullified by the fact that this is a standing mile competition…the distance is far too long for AWD to be a definitive factor. Also, even though the Cayman is down 25 HP, it weighs 300-lb less while also being 2-wheeled, which means there’s less parasitic drivetrain loss (more of its power is making it to the ground in comparison to the STI).

These two cars only have one thing in common: horizontally-opposed engines. Well, there’s one other thing they share…they both ran the exact same standing mile completion time.

It’s fun to watch as long as the viewers realize that neither of these two cars are designed for drag racing.

Porsche to Manufacture Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder Engines.

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.