Development of the next-generation Porsche Boxster is well underway and images of a prototype for the car have once again surfaced, this time captured while it was undergoing cold weather testing in Northern Europe.

A rumor alleging that Porsche insiders are talking about a lightweight, turbocharged four-cylinder platform for the next-gen Boxster recently began making the rounds. The thought coincides with possible rumors of a revived 914 that could be co-branded by both VW and Porsche, which means the new Boxster could certainly be fitted with a highly charged four-banger. If that’s the case, we’re sure Porsche will still offer a six-cylinder option for upper range models.

Such a design premise might offer more room to launch a detuned entry-level Carrera also aimed at improving emissions ratings. Even the current six-cylinder Boxster and Cayman, the most efficient in Porsche’s line, emit about 222 g/km of CO2–about 100 g/km more than the projected 2015 limits.

Whatever Porsche has in store for the new car, we’ll have to wait until its expected arrival in 2011 to find out.

Source:motorauthority.com

2012 Porsche Boxster spy shots

Porsche is in the midst of developing its next-generation Boxster sports car, which has been seen undergoing testing in prototype form on a number of occasions in recent months. The new car is expected to go on sale late next year as a 2012 model and according to a new report Porsche may be planning a special fuel-efficient model.

A rumor alleging that Porsche insiders are talking about a lightweight, turbocharged four-cylinder platform for the 2012 Boxster recently began making the rounds, however, the car’s model line director, Hans-Jurgen Wohler, has revealed to Autocar that a turbocharged three-cylinder powerplant may even be possible.

Installing a downsized engine would be one way for Porsche to reduce its fleet emissions in line with tough new government standards coming into play in the U.S. and Europe over the next couple of years.

“A Boxster with a four-cylinder engine, or maybe even a three-cylinder turbo, could produce between 180 and 200 horsepower,” said Wohler. “Given the Boxster’s history–that it started with a 200 horsepower, 2.5-litre engine–I think this is possibly something that customers could accept.

The thought coincides with possible rumors of a revived 914 that could be co-branded by both VW and Porsche, targeted at different market sectors, which means the new Boxster could certainly be fitted with a compact turbocharged mill. If that’s the case, we’re sure Porsche will still offer a six-cylinder option for upper range models.

Source:motorauthority.com

2009 Saab 9-3

It looks like Saab won’t be relegated to the same scrap heap as Pontiac and Saturn, at least not yet, as Dutch supercar maker Spyker tries one more time this week to acquire the Swedish automaker from General Motors.

Spyker gives its final shot with a final bid due before Thursday, January 7. The details of the final bid are still wrapped in secrecy, but GM is open to the offer, according to Reuters and other reports. Spyker is said to be optimistic about its long-shot chances at taking over the much-larger brand–so optimistic, in fact, that it already has floated a product plan to be implemented, should it win Saab.

The core models under Spyker’s leadership would be the 9-3 lineup of sedans and wagons, the 9-5 sedan and wagon, and the 9-4X crossover. The stalled 9-1 minicar project would be put on hold until the company is able to spend more on developing and launching a new car. The Saab HQ would stay in Trollhattan, Sweden, and production of all vehicles save for the 9-4X would stay in the snowy Scandinavian nation. The 9-4X would be built in GM’s Ramos Arizpe, Mexico facility, according to Reuters.

Spyker’s final bid, expected this week, will be its third attempt to meet GM’s goals for the Saab sale. If the final offer is put together by the new January 7 deadline, a decision on Saab’s fate could come as early as this week.

In the meantime, Saab owners in the U.S. are planning to take their message of hope for the brand’s future to the streets–literally–by meeting in Detroit at GM’s headquarters en masse on January 5. Supporters hope to show GM how loyal Saab owners are, and to dissuade the Detroit automaker from shuttering the brand.

Source:motorauthority.com

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

• What is it? A lighter and more hardcore version of the Boxster S
• The basics: 10 extra horsepower and 176 less pounds
• On sale: February 2010, with a public showing at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
• Price: $61,200

Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today’s Porsche, you have to wonder how we ever got to 3,500 pounds, 500 horsepower twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example–considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars–weighed a mere 1,670 pounds and managed just 40 horsepower in some guises.

It appears the Speedster has made a return, although this time around Porsche has used its Boxster as the basis. The new car is called the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder and it’s set to make its world debut next month at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show before going on sale in February 2010.

The Spyder is based on the Boxster S but it gets a small bump in performance, with its 3.4-liter flat-six engine developing 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque–the same as the current Cayman S.

Weighing in at just 2,811 pounds, the Spyder will be the lightest Porsche available–from a company already known for lightweight, proficient sports cars. Some of the techniques used to shed the pounds include the removal of the regular Boxster’s daytime running lights and fog lamps, as well as its automatic soft-top roof. Instead, the Spyder gets a manually-operated canopy-style roof and new rear deck.

Inside, the weight saving theme continues with the removal of the air conditioner and stereo, as well as the regular Boxster’s seats, which have been replaced with lighter and more supportive bucket seats.

The end result is a saving of 0.2 seconds off the Boxster S’ 0-62 mph time, with the Boxster Spyder doing it in just 4.8 seconds when equipped with Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch gearbox and Sport Chrono Plus package. The other benefit of the lighter kerb weight is a slight improvement in fuel economy though official numbers are yet to be released.

The combination of more horsepower and 176 pounds less weight than the Boxster S, plus an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm, a lower center of gravity, a standard limited slip differential, and exclusive wheels provides the kind of driving dynamics that back up the unique look. Aluminum door skins and lightweight interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS contribute to the weight reduction.

This third Boxster model will join the Boxster and Boxster S and will make its world debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, December 2, 2009. First sales will start in February 2010, with prices starting at $61,200

Source:motorauthority.com