Porsche Considering Three-Cylinder Boxster And Cayman: Report

REPORTS OUT OF Europe last year suggested Porsche is looking at offering a turbo-charged four-cylinder version of its upcoming 2012 Boxster and Cayman models.

This week, Boxster development boss Hans-Jurgen Wohler hinted to British magazine Autocar that Europe's tough new emissions laws may see Porsche develop a turbo-charged three-cylinder model.

“A Boxster with a four-cylinder engine, or maybe even a three-cylinder turbo, could produce between 180 and 200 horsepower (135-150kW),” Wohler told Autocar.

“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."

Current EU emissions laws state that carmakers with total annual sales of fewer than 300,000 cars won't need to meet the 2012 120g/km target. They must, however, reduce emissions by 25 percent compared to the brand's 2006 fleet average.

Wohler said that while Porsche is under pressure to reduce emissions, Porsche's new relationship with Volkswagen has caused uncertainty as to how far the numbers will need to come down.