Porsche Boxster prototype makes pit stop at BMW - secret hybrid collaboration in the works?

 Porsche Boxster prototype makes pit stop at BMW - secret hybrid collaboration in the works?
2012 Porsche Boxster prototype at BMW FIZ - 4.3.2011

More questions than answers

A Porsche Boxster prototype has been spied making a pit stop at BMW's Forschungs und Innovationszentrum (FIZ) development facility in Munich, Germany. While this is a little strange, there could be a very logical explanation behind it - the Boxster is a hybrid.

Nothing is official, but a little deductive reasoning builds a pretty strong case for this argument. Firstly, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller has already confirmed the company will offer hybrid variants of all models and BMW FIZ does development work on hybrids such as the 3-Series, 5-Series and i8. Furthermore, as of right now, the only hybrid system Porsche has is built around the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 which is likely to large to fit in the Boxster. Add in the fact that BMW isn't shy about sharing - as they have a hybrid partnership with PSA Peugeot-Citroen and an agreement to sell engines to Saab - it seems increasingly likely that the two company may be working together.

Regardless, the redesigned Boxster is expected to be unveiled sometime next year and could be offered with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 360 bhp (268 kW / 365 PS) in turbocharged guise.

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 accousticjama accousticjama
Release a special edition 911 every week,create a new car beneath the Boxster & now they are working with BMW? It would have been better to see Porsche go broke due to the global crisis at the top of their game than to see all of this.
March 4, 2011 7:39 pm
 Decypha Decypha
I beg to differ; how's this any different from their collaborations with Audi or all the special edition 911s we've seen from previous generations?
March 4, 2011 11:16 pm
 M! M!
@Decypha, well, let's see, the difference is , VW/Audi/Porsche has strong ties and financial interests. 50% of Porsche is owned by VW, and some of their board members have strong family ties. Audi is part of VW. so having BMW in the picture is not entirely straightforward.
March 6, 2011 12:29 am
 sideskraper sideskraper
Agreements likely reached on collaboration prior to the takeover by VAG
March 7, 2011 8:18 pm
 Decypha Decypha
And Porsche's worked with Mercedes-Benz in the past as well. It's just business, if it makes financial sense then run with it.
March 7, 2011 9:25 pm
 SZQ SZQ
the subtle changes make this so much better looking than the current one...i always found the current one to be a little boring on the aesthetic, but now with the extra curves, wider and longer wheelbase, I'm definitely liking this. Let's hope there will still be a high performance boxer 6
March 4, 2011 11:51 pm
 9TNine 9TNine
At the end of the day, this looks just pretty much like any other Boxster. Unless you?ve got X-ray vision, you?re not going to see what?s under the hood? So, WTF cover it with a plastic sheet?
March 5, 2011 4:24 am
 Mister Stig Mister Stig
easy... they want to sell cars, the easy way to advertise is to get people talking about the product, and the easy way to get people talking is to make the product stand out... How do you make a car stand out? Cover it up!
March 5, 2011 4:43 am
 SPORTINGUISTA_29 SPORTINGUISTA_29
nice
March 5, 2011 9:12 am
 M! M!
would it be a BMW spoof, with their own test mule using a boxster shell?
March 6, 2011 12:37 am
 GTurbo GTurbo
If you are all still wandering why German car firms keep afloat easily despite harsh economic downturns, it's because unity is their biggest strength. VW and Mercedes Benz share technological ideas and don't forget; German car firms are powerful dynasties based on patronage over several decades. Is Porsche's fraternity with BMW so hard to grasp? The Cayenne was built mainly because of BMW's ultra-successful X5 and so a little technological partnership should be welcomed not frowned upon.
March 6, 2011 4:07 pm
 scratchy996 scratchy996
if i recall correctly Porsche uses sheet metal from BMW to build some of their cars.
March 7, 2011 5:19 am