Boxster/Cayman (987) Porsche boss confirms baby Boxster

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Porsche boss Matthias Mueller says that the carmaker will build a ‘modern-day’ version of the classic 550 Spyder as an entry-level model for the brand, confirming Autocar’s scoop story of 12 months ago.

According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, Matthias said ‘I can imagine that such a modern version of the famous 'James Dean' Porsche would be well-received by our customers.’ He also said that new model would not be retro-styled.
The Porsche is expected to be based on a new mid-engined aluminium and steel platform being developed by Audi which will also be used for the proposed Audi R4 roadster.

The Porsche will probably from £35,000 slotting in underneath the next-generation Boxster, which will grow notably in size and cost.
The car will get a new four-cylinder boxer engine that will also power the Boxster, the Cayman and potentially even the 911. Sources say the flat four motor is sized at 2.5-litres and has been producing around 360bhp in turbocharged form.
The outgoing head of R&D Wolfgang Durheimer said at the Detroit show last January: “We have a four-cylinder boxer engine under development.” He admitted that the unit “can be applied” to the Boxster and Cayman.
Durheimer said the unit “could be applied if necessary to the 911. Our decision is, on the 911 side, we’ll stay with the flat [six]. But there are opportunities for the future.

Porsche plans baby Boxster - Autocar.co.uk

 

[Centurion]

What a waste of time and money. Why must all entry level Porsche cars be vanity convertible. Why can't this spyder be an 1M slaying mini Caymean. I certainly hope that the car at least has a metal folding roof, if not then it won't fare well in the light of great alternatives like the 135i and up and coming beast coupe by Toyota and Subaru.

 

[Levi68]

I don't know anything of these cars yet but for me it looks like this: Porsche 550 < Toyota FT-86 < Porsche 981

 

[Top Secret]

A small, lightweight roadster with RWD and a mid-engined turbocharged four-cylinder engine sounds good to me. I don't know what you guys are complaining about.

 

[LaArtist]

Isnt the Boxter allready a baby?

 

[Monster]

What a waste of time and money. Why must all entry level Porsche cars be vanity convertible. Why can't this spyder be an 1M slaying mini Caymean. I certainly hope that the car at least has a metal folding roof, if not then it won't fare well in the light of great alternatives like the 135i and up and coming beast coupe by Toyota and Subaru.

VW has been playing around with the idea of a small convertible for years now, they had the Concept R back in 03, and then the Blue Sport concept almost 2 years ago. Porsche will just have to work with what they have been given.

 

[bum-man]

Porsche needs to resurrect the 914 to take on the next generation MX-5 and Elise. This is the car they are missing, not some diesel SUV or sedan.

 

[Centurion]

VW has been playing around with the idea of a small convertible for years now, they had the Concept R back in 03, and then the Blue Sport concept almost 2 years ago. Porsche will just have to work with what they have been given.

Given that the mx5 has a hardtop folding roof I hope Porsche will follow suit.

 

[Monster]

Given that the mx5 has a hardtop folding roof I hope Porsche will follow suit.

The MX-5 has the engine at the front which makes it easier to accommodate the folding hard top.