Porsche has been
testing for quite some time now the new GT4 version of the 718 Cayman but it
appears that there are more six-cylinder models coming to the mid-engine
Boxster and Cayman range. Last time we spotted Porsche working on one of its
six-cylinder mid-engine models other than the GT4 was back in February, with a
718 Boxster being then tested in cold-weather conditions. This time though we
get both the Boxster and the Cayman in a more familiar territory, the
Nurburgring.
The six-cylinder
variants are also expected to employ the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six
unit from the 911 GT3, albeit with less power than the upcoming 718 Cayman GT4.
It’s believed that these new 718 Boxster and Cayman models will be positioned
as the “Touring” versions of the hardcore Spyder and GT4 models respectively.
Porsche has
reworked the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine to be compliant with
the latest Euro 6d emission regulations, adding the necessary petrol particulate
filters, new high-pressure injectors and new individual throttle bodies. The
latest version of this screamer of an engine has debuted in the new 911
Speedster.
This will also mark
the return of the six-cylinder engine back into the regular Boxster and Cayman,
which after the 718 update were left available only with a pair of turbocharged
flat-four units. And while these four-cylinder powertrains have made the
compact Porsche sports cars faster than ever, many have criticized them
heavily, mostly due to their boring, muffled soundtrack.
Reports suggest
that the 4.0-liter flat-six engine in the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder will be
detuned to around 425 hp, while the Touring models will get it with around
380 hp. It’s safe to assume that the new ‘Touring’ six-pot models will become
eventually available with both a PDK and a manual transmission.
