The brand-new Porsche Macan SUV will reportedly get an entry-level four-cylinder gasoline engine by the end of 2014. Currently the crossover is available with a choice of three engines: a 3.0-liter V6 biturbo gasoline engine, a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel and the all-new 3.6-liter biturbo gasoline unit.
A report from AutoExpress quotes Porsche manager of transmission and drivetrain development Dr. Thomas Casper as saying, “I can’t tell you the exact month, but sometime in 2014, perhaps at the end.”
Casper added that Porsche has no plans to introduce a four-cylinder diesel engine in the Macan, only a petrol. However, despite previous rumors that Porsche may use a turbocharged inline-four engine from the VW Group, the engineer said the engine is expected to be turbocharged and use horizontally opposed pistons.
Using a four-cylinder boxer engine would be in line with Porsche’s tradition. It will also deliver a distinct sound, which is a big deal as Casper said that how the engine will sound is a “top priority.” Despite having only four-cylinders, the engineer mentioned that the Porsche Macan will remain a “proper Porsche”, which means it will deliver sufficient power.
The 4-cylinder boxer unit will act as the entry-level engine for the Macan and will likely develop under 300 hp while offering the best fuel economy among the Macan’s petrol engines. Later on, Porsche will fit the same engine to the Boxster and Cayman as well, which will make them the most affordable Porsche models, starting at around £35,000 (€41,762). The 4-cylinder Macan is expected to start from £40,000 (€47,727).
By Dan Mihalascu
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