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Porsche boss confirms baby Boxster
22 July 2011
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.
Read more about the baby Porsche Boxster
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.
Read about the 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."
