The flat-six engine is pretty much one of the most distinctive trademarks from Porsche, fitted in most of their model range. But it seems after all these years, they are slowly but definitely closing in to the limits of this layout, especially when compared to other supercars in the market. And since manufacturers out there are putting the Ferrari 458 Italia in their sights as the main rival, rumours have surfaced that Porsche will soon utilize a new eight-cylinder engine for the same purpose.
Some suggest that the flat-six engine has reach its maximum level as seen in the expensive engine recalls made on the new 2014 991 GT3. The flat-six engine is said to have a “theoretical limit” cubic capacity of 4.2-liters, where any larger than that will cause the weight of some internal components being too heavy for ideal balance.
By switching to a flat-eight layout, it will give Porsche plenty of space to play with to squeeze out more power, and not to forget the available options of turbocharging. It is said that the prototype flat-eight engine is now being tested with four turbochargers strapped onto it, giving it an output of around 600-horsepower and a torque of around 400 lb-ft available lower down the rev range.
Referred internally as the 988, a larger engine suggest that the model with this new engine might be borrowing some styling cues from the 918 Spyder with the engine being mid-mounted, also like the 918’s 4.6-liter V8.
