Porsche's Mid-Engine 960 Supercar to Arrive in 2019

Stephen Elmer
by Stephen Elmer

Porsche is reportedly working on an all-new supercar.

The Porsche 960 will be a mid-engined Ferrari 488 fighter and is slated to show up around 2019. Earlier rumors suggested the car would use a turbocharged flat-six engine, but new patent documents show that a 3.9-liter eight-cylinder quad-turbo boxer engine pumping out at least 650 horsepower will be fitted.

Another patent from the German automaker divulges more about the engine’s technology, including its “VarioCom” variable compression ratio system. Basically, it allows the engine to run a high compression ratio for slow driving when efficiency it key, while the ratio can be lowered at high speed when maximum power is needed.

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Underpinning the car will be Volkswagen’s new modular sports-car platform, which will also support the next-generation Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan. Considering both those cars feature all-wheel drive, expect four powered wheels for the 960 as well. For curb weight, Porsche is said to be targeting around 3,000 lbs, even deciding against an all-wheel steering system as it would have added to much weight.

The 960 is expected to debut sometime after the next generation 911.

[Source: CAR]

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Stephen Elmer
Stephen Elmer

Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>

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 5 comments
  • Smartacus Smartacus on Apr 28, 2016

    That horizontal-8 engine can't be a one-off, or can it? Seems like a a lot of cash and CAD for only one model. Very very doubtful the flat-8 will also makes its way into the 992 as an option. If anything, upcoming 992 will go in the smaller direction and borrow the bigger 2.5 flat-4 from the 718 Cayman S Or will they decide on a V8 960 last minute?

  • Smartacus Smartacus on Apr 28, 2016

    Hi Stephen Elmer, i seem to have picked up a troll replying to all my Disqus comments

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