DOWNSIZING IS getting big. How many performance-oriented cars can you think of that have swapped a big multi-cylinder engine for something smaller, maybe boosted with forced induction or hybrid assistance? The mighty 6.2-litre AMG V8 became a turbo 5.5, then a turbo 4.0, and has now morphed into a 2.0-litre four with a bit of battery assistance. The Lamborghini Huracan’s gorgeous V10 is being traded for a V8, while the Ferrari 296 GTB ditched its V8 for a hybrid V6.
Porsche pre-dated all of this when it booted the flat-sixes in its Boxster and Cayman models in favour of turbocharged flat-fours. Problem being, while the fours were nowhere near as bad as the gnashing teeth of Porschephiles would have you believe, the hardcore wanted their six-pots back. And Porsche clearly listens to its customers. It once deleted the manual gearbox option from the 911 GT3 and then brought it back when the punters went berserk. And now, in another volte face, the Cayenne S is back with a V8. Here’s to glorious and shameless U-turns.
There’s no way of sugaring this particular pill, so I’ll get
