I know we've beaten this topic to death in prior threads, but this strikes me as the most mainstream, trustworthy media source to report on it...

The May 2010 issue of Car and Driver, on page 58, lists the "2014 Porsche 'Baby Boxster'" as one of the 25 upcoming models worth waiting for.

Here's a webcam photo of the artist's rendering from the magazine.
Click to view attachment

They report it will start under $40,000. Not exactly 914 territory - IIRC, that's what they said about the first-gen Boxster too.

Anyway... here's hoping they call it the 914.

Probably due to the new CAFE standards. I am not sure of all the details, but I believe that every manufacturers fleet must have an average of 35.5 mpg by 2016. I am not 100% sure if this applies to foreign automakers, but my guess is yes.

Begin quote~
The Obama administration finalized the first national rules curbing greenhouse gas emissions Thursday, mandating that the U.S. car and light-truck fleet reach an average fuel efficiency of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016.

The new fuel efficiency standards, issued by the Transportation Department and the Environmental Protection Agency as the result of a May 2009 deal with the auto industry, represent a peaceful end to a contentious legal battle over how to regulate tailpipe emissions. At a time when it remains unclear whether Congress can pass climate legislation this year, the new rules also mark the White House’s most significant achievement yet in addressing global warming.

In a joint statement issued Thursday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson estimated that the tougher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of vehicles sold under the program covering the 2012-16 model years.
End quote~

I really thought that I would have more time to say good-bye to freedom and liberty...

In automotive terms you probably should have started waving bye-bye in 1972. I'd say that's enough time, really.

Look on the bright side: auto makers can still build gas guzzlers, they just have to build small cars to balance it out. Hopefully this will lead to more/different models of cars...more variety won't be too terrible!

Try 1968, that's when they put in the first air injection smog controls, seat belts & padded dashes were required about then or before, but don't recall exactly.

My god!!! Requiring seat belts!!! Those bastards!!!!! They took our freedom from us when they required seat belts in all cars. Let's go get that Nixon guy and throw him out of office. And now, they're requiring auto makers to use the technology they own to get better milage out of the vehicles they build! Patently unfair to the oil companies!!! How can we stand for such outrageous acts???

Next, we'll hear that the government will be demanding manufacturers build cars that don't wildly accelerate out of control. We need to take back the government from those that would expect our cars to keep from killing us when we drive to the market! It's our right to purchase vehicles that explode when the rear gas tank is hit from behind (Ford Pinto).

After all, these safer and more fuel efficient cars are just the first step to socialism!!!

This car is also on the cover of Road & Track.




...aaaand, IBTL.

Good point... the CAFE standards apply to the mfgr lines across the board, so unless Porsche and VW merge ( ) this would be a high mpg offering to round out the Turbos and such...

I would love to see a turbo diesel hybrid mid engine offering....

Someone emailed me a report saying that some of the Harvard guys that were appointed to run Obama Motors were told by the GM engineers that getting 40MPG was against the "laws of physics" . The Obama guys told the engineers : that why we'er here ...to change those laws. Now those same Harvard guys are going to be telling your Dr. how to do their business.

I drove by a car hauler filled with 2010 Corollas...

I was amazed.. the metal / plastic is thin, the whole car is cheap, and its what we'll ALL be driving to "conform" in a few years.

Meanwhile China is draining our reserves in Alaska...

The good news is that our 914s will have a level playing field collision-wise...

that's funny - check out the license plate - they flipped the pic

...And you believe that?

Dont forget other governments around the world are putting similar restrictions on fuel efficiency and pollutants emitted from cars. US is actually lagging other developed countries. Porsche is responding to global pressures even their own regional government not just Obama admins new standards.

I for one like to see this. It forces innovation and ultimately it makes US less dependent on foreign resources.

It will also mean return of lightweight fun sports cars. I really hate the big GT cars that dominate the market place now.

Do you uncritically believe everything that appears in your inbox?

hey, one day Bill gates WILL send me my money, I just know it! I mean I forwarded the email to 10 people just like it asked!


the new emissions standards only seem aggressive to american manufacturers because they were already lagging behind the rest of the world, imo.

I got the new Road and Track in the mail today, and they also have an article on the Porsche 918 (the "New 356").

Don't they know that now, with a v8, it's just 914 + 4 (more cylinders) = 918?

Not sure how to factory in the electric motor! Let's just call it a really big starter!

i believe we have some of the strictest smog laws, ban on leaded gas in usa, way before much of europe banned it, the us has been a leader in anti smog laws for some time. who is ahead of us in smog laws?


as far As this law is concerned let the market place decide, this will cause makers of large trucks or sports cars that get less mpg to either merge with small car maker or give up what they make. big companies (like obama motors) will still be able to make gas guzzlers so long as they make enough small cars. this is a huge disadvantage to smaller car makers that will be forced to meet these rules.

we dont need no nany state ordering mpg standards.

al gore will still fly his private jet, take a limo ride and have a huge palace type house with heated swiming pools but you subjects will be forced into obama motors union made cheapo fuel sippers, weather you like it or not

35.5 mpg!!!! funny that is about what my 1970 1.7 914 got on the freeway. so much for advancing the art of car making my 1958 VW got simualr mpg to that also we come a long way in 50 years have we not????

They're so cute when they repeat their leaders' talking points.

what leader talking point am i repeating? you so cute when you vague!

Point taken. You don't appear to be channeling any "leader." You are, though, repeating code words that pop up all over the place (as Google clearly demonstrates).

I think there is value in calling things by their correct names rather than cute buzzwords, lest one be accused of not applying any critical thinking skills to the question at hand. The last time I checked, the name of the company is General Motors (note the correct wording as well as capitalization of proper nouns), and they are selling the hell out of Buicks in China.

China is buying Buicks

If, in fact the engineers told management there were laws of physics preventing 40MPG, then it is a perfect time to sack those engineers and replace them with someone that has read an engineering book sometime this century.

I believe that GM enmgineers told management a number of years ago that 30MPG was against the laws of physics. Even before that, 23MPG was against the laws of Physics.

It seems that these "Laws of Physics" are being mixed-up with "want to", or even "It wasn't my idea so it isn't possible".

If it takes the Obama crew to raise the bullshit flag, more power to them. It's about time somebody raised that flag.

Eric

No, they didn't flip the pic... my Macbook webcam flips the image for close-field focus things.

Oh, and IBTL.

Heck, long as I'm IBTL:

Just like in the '70s, the carmakers will whine and bitch and moan and give us their doomsday scenarios. Then they'll meet the standard by 2016 and spend the next 20 years adding bloat, power, luxury, etc. to cars while staying within the CAFE limits.

Then next time there's a mandate for a mileage increase, they'll start the process over again.

You are exactly right.

We have reached the "tipping point".

There is nothing new under the sun.

to be more correct in your statement:

"and they are selling the hell out of Buicks in China."

the word "they" should be changed to "we" if youare and American, if not then you can make the word "you" since your addressing meand I am American. After all I and the other Americans are all now owners of GM weather we like it or not.

IBTL ???? LOL everyone is using this 'new' acronym now.

In Before The Lock. As in, this thread has gone over into the P&R territory that is no longer allowed on the 914world.

Locken-sie das thread, bitte!

--DD

And here I thought it was Apples version of the BLT.

The article text, too...