Big Changes Ahead for Porsche?

[hytem]

This month's Panorama contains an article by Michael Cotton on new possible EU regulations substantially lowering average CO2 emissions to 130 g/km by 2012 and 90 g/km by 2020, in response to Global Warming concerns. This compares with the current level of 160 g/km.

Small car manufacturers in Europe should have less problems meeting these guidelines, but the German manufacturers, Porsche and Mercedes (Ferrari as well, in Italy), will have the biggest problems with their larger vehicles. Germany has already protested such changes, arguing for emissions levels per car class instead of average levels. Porsche's average right now is 290 g/km, which is increased by the Cayenne's 358-380 g/km.

A hybrid Cayenne seems inevitable if the new regulations are enacted--along with most other SUVs globally. I also expect a big shift to hybrids in cars. But what of the 911 and other Porsches? I would guess the era of increased acceleration and engine size may be coming to an end.

[GothingNC]

Porsche is always thinking ahead and I'm sure they will come out with a motor that will be just as powerful or more with the same displacement or less with the introduction of Direct Injection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_Direct_Injection

I would be more concerned about the compatibility of future fuels with the older Porsche's say for example E85 phased out regular gasoline..

[hytem]

Originally posted by GothingNC
Porsche is always thinking ahead and I'm sure they will come out with a motor that will be just as powerful or more with the same displacement or less with the introduction of Direct Injection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_Direct_Injection

I would be more concerned about the compatibility of future fuels with the older Porsche's say for example E85 phased out regular gasoline..

Marginal improvements with direct injection, but engines will have to be downsized, perhaps back to SC levels. That means lighter and less power. No doubt they can build a fast, cleaner car. They will if they have to.

E85 isn't compatible with most cars today, much less older Porsches. They will need a new fleet of cars compatible with E85, and are talking about E85 cars by 2015. I doubt ethanol will catch on that big beyond the current E10. It isn't that efficient energy-wise and doesn't do anything about carbon emissions. Hybrids are the obvious answer to reduced emissions. It's not about shortage of oil or foreign dependency, it's about carbon emissions.