Your Intrepid Spy Guy confirms that Porsche’s next-generation Boxster roadster and Cayman coupe will lose their six-cylinder engines in favor of four-cylinder powerplants. Entry-level models are expected to receive a turbocharged 2.0-liter, while “S” models will get a 300-horsepower 2.5, with output increasing to 370 horses from a twin-turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the GTS. Although manual transmissions will be available, the availability of Porsche’s dual-clutch automated manual gearbox (PDK) is expected to increase and will likely be the only choice when the GTS is specified. It’s also likely that, for competitive reasons, race-bred GT4 Boxsters and Caymans will stick with six-cylinder engines. Look for the new engines to become available for the 2017 model year.
The Sleuth has known for while that the Boxster/Cayman would go to four cylinders from six, and that there would likely be no sacrifice in performance.
