interesting to think about the future engines in the 911. MY guess: 911s will eventually get the Flat 6 found in the current gt3 & rs making 435-450hp. The current S model makes 385hp. the turbo, gt3, gt3 will get a V8.
I believe the question of a V-8 engined 911 is utterly groundless and without merit. It seems to me that everyone's forgetting (or simply not aware or willing to concede) that you can walk into any Audi dealer and drive out with an Audi R8, and if that doesn't disperse the red mist, you can specify the Gallardo V-10 motor. All this philosphizing, theorizing about how & where to stick a V-8 in 911, which V-8 and wondering how many angels can dance on the head of a pin is totally pointless because all these questions have already been answered in both versions of the R8. It would be singularly inept marketing on their part to sink money into a future V-8 engined 911, and to accomplish exactly what in the end......comptete with the Audi offering ? Piech, Audi VW are many things, but they are not dumb. If you don't accept the R8 /10 as the logical progression after you feel you have truly exhausted all the potential of current production 911s (and with all respect I don't think many have come close to truly and succesfully plumbing the available depth of all the performance aspects current 997s offer), I urge you to familiarize yourself with the model & test drive one.....and then log on back here and tell us how you would rather have a 911 with a V-8 hung out in back of the rear wheel centerline. PORSCHE made it's bones through 60 uphill, tough years of brilliant, stubborn, innovative & analytical engineering. Burdening the current 911 with additional weight, length, imbalance, heat dissipation, etc. just isn't sound engineering, nor is it necessary, and as someone wisely observed above, a more drastic re-design to accomodate such a powertrain would alienate traditionalists and it wouldn't be a 911 any longer. It would also send one Hell of a confusing message out to the world.....and would run head-on into the R8 which already and very competently occupies the spot in the market any V-8 911 would aspire to. Doubtful !
Well I have owned Porsche's for almost 35 years (39 in total), and I would welcome a V8, though with the way Audi is going (the new S4 lost its V8), I would think that a V8 would only be used if they built a coupe version of the 4 door. I would rather see less weight and a move away from things like vented seat options (which do not belong in any 911). I think the 911 has become to close to being a GT car (in its standard forms), I would say build a 2800lb car for drivers.
Porsche is testing a 911 GT3 cup Hybrid(see autoweek). I see this as the future of the 911 line once they max out HP gains from the flat 6.
It will be interesting to see if the new 928 Porsche will be the vehicle to reintroduce the V8 to and once again try to phase out the 911. We all know what happened the last time. I actually loved the 928 and had several including the 928 GTS. It was the perfect blend of Mercedes and Porsche much like the 500E 1990 - 1994.
There is no need for a V-8. If more power is needed a bigger six or standard turbocharging can do it. Or hybrid to the fronts Porsche would be foolish to throw away 50 years of flat six heritage. Read marketing.
PRESS RELEASE: RUF is proud to present the brand new RGT-8 at the Geneva Motor Show, 04th -14th March 2010. This spectacular prototype vehicle is powered by a completely new RUF designed V8 engine with a 180° crankshaft Flatcrank. Four valves arranged spherically together with multipoint fuel injection ensure optimal mixture conditions while the dry-sump system supplies the necessary lubrication. The lightweight engine has a very compact design, has a capacity of 4.5 litres arranged as a V8 and delivers 404kW (550bhp) @ 8500rpm and complements with a maximum torque of 500Nm @ 5400rpm. At all stages of the design process, compactness and weight saving were of priority, the result of which is a total engine weight of less than 200kg. A 6 speed gearbox with shortened gear shift movement transfers the power to the rear axle. To ensure the best adhesion characteristics, the RGT-8 is supplied with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires running on 19 inch RUF forged alloy wheels utilising a single central retaining nut. The powertrain is rounded off with sturdy ceramic brakes as standard for optimal braking. The current Porsche 911 forms the basis for the RGT-8 chassis which is then further optimised with bodywork components from RUF. As always, an integrated roll-cage is supplied delivering increased chassis stability and passive safety. In addition, we are pleased to offer a Frère package which enhances the standard vehicle with special front fenders, nose and dashboard components. The styling was inspired by the 550 Coupé with which Paul Frère, the Belgian race driver, won the best of class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953. The RUF RGT-8 production start is planned for 2011. Source - RUF Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
lol forget a flat-8. I just don't want them to completely phase out the proper GT1 dry sump block. Now it is only found in the GT3 and GT2. And I wonder how good a flat 8 would sound? A GT3 with bypass pipes is up there with the world's best sounding cars.
Just introduced at Geneva. http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1043117_2010-geneva-motor-show-ruf-rgt-8-v-8-powered-porsche-911#comments http://wot.motortrend.com/6628586/auto-shows/2010-geneva-ruf-stuffs-v-8-into-911-calls-it-rgt-8/index.html http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6628613/news/geneva-2010-ruf-rgt-8-gives-porsche-911-v-8-power/index.html
This explails a lot on the motor: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/529307-porsche-apocalypse-ruf-s-911-v8-2.html
Would Porsche ever make a six cylinder 356? Seems like to me when they added two extra cylinders, they pulled out a new name. The 911 will probably stick with a flat six, but it could be upstaged by something else.
The GT2 and 2RS used the older GT1 metzger engine, not the unraced DFI motor found in 997.2 turbo (i think) and turbo S models. It also has a getrag trans, not aisin.
