Feb 8, 2006 1:42:58 PM
- Porsche-Jeck
- Rennteam Master
- Loc: Rheinland , Germany
- Posts: 4856, Gallery
- Registered on: Jun 27, 2005
Boxsters with Cayman-engines
German carmag "Autozeitung" (issue of 8 Febr.) reports as follows (I take no responsibility for any mistakes with my translation ):
"Porsche amends his Cayman program by the end of 2006 with the 2.7 L base Boxster engine with HP increased to 250 HP.
Boxster S will be equipped with the 295 HP engine of Cayman S."
I don't feel competent to judge whether it's just the usual carmag's gossip or whether the statement is based on proper reserach (AZ does not mention a source, but the statement is written in a fashion able to create the impression of an "official" announcement).
In theory the statement makes sense considering the following aspects:
> harmonization of Boxster/Cayman engine programs = economies of scale
> engine upgrade two years after first launch of 987 models seem to follow the common Porsche time schedule for upgrades
> Timing fits especially into the German market, as cars will become more expensive from January 2007 anyway due to VAT-rise (+3%); also launch of 3.4 L engine at the end of the year would not let too many prospective buyers hold back their order, as they would "loose" a complete top-down season.
AZ says nothing about pricing.
My thoughts:
> If 987 sales would be below budget at the end of 2006, only moderate price increase to vitalize Boxster Sales
> If sales are within or above budget, Cayman-pricing will be used as a Trojan horse to generally lift Boxster prices to a higher level (remember discussions about the price gap between Boxster S and Cayman S perceived as "too big" - Porsche's marketing genius may "resolve" the problem by increasing Boxster prices, if sales for both models Boxster and Cayman would be within budget ) - my speculation: approximately 3,000 Euro price increase in Germany for 987 S (current gap CaymanS/BoxsterS 6,500 Euro )
0.2 L more displacement + 15 additional ponies would not propell Boxster S into another league, but Variocam Plus maybe the selling argument for a price increase (better torque, broader usable RPM-range).
"Porsche amends his Cayman program by the end of 2006 with the 2.7 L base Boxster engine with HP increased to 250 HP.
Boxster S will be equipped with the 295 HP engine of Cayman S."
I don't feel competent to judge whether it's just the usual carmag's gossip or whether the statement is based on proper reserach (AZ does not mention a source, but the statement is written in a fashion able to create the impression of an "official" announcement).
In theory the statement makes sense considering the following aspects:
> harmonization of Boxster/Cayman engine programs = economies of scale
> engine upgrade two years after first launch of 987 models seem to follow the common Porsche time schedule for upgrades
> Timing fits especially into the German market, as cars will become more expensive from January 2007 anyway due to VAT-rise (+3%); also launch of 3.4 L engine at the end of the year would not let too many prospective buyers hold back their order, as they would "loose" a complete top-down season.
AZ says nothing about pricing.
My thoughts:
> If 987 sales would be below budget at the end of 2006, only moderate price increase to vitalize Boxster Sales
> If sales are within or above budget, Cayman-pricing will be used as a Trojan horse to generally lift Boxster prices to a higher level (remember discussions about the price gap between Boxster S and Cayman S perceived as "too big" - Porsche's marketing genius may "resolve" the problem by increasing Boxster prices, if sales for both models Boxster and Cayman would be within budget ) - my speculation: approximately 3,000 Euro price increase in Germany for 987 S (current gap CaymanS/BoxsterS 6,500 Euro )
0.2 L more displacement + 15 additional ponies would not propell Boxster S into another league, but Variocam Plus maybe the selling argument for a price increase (better torque, broader usable RPM-range).