Porsche is OBSESSED with Boxer Engines: Here's Why

Fewer things go better together than Porsche and the boxer engine. It's is one of the most iconic engines of all time - but why is Porsche obsessed with it? If you find yourself asking that question, then this video is for you. We'll explore why that's the case.

Hopefully the video didn't suck - luckily the comments section will inform me of my errors.

Chapters:
Introduction - 00:00
What is a Boxer Engine? – 00:17
Porsche's Boxer Engine Tradition – 00:59
Why Porsche Uses the Boxer Engine – 01:49
Conclusion – 03:47

Sources used in this video:

[golfpark]

Dear Matt, thank you for this very informative video. I drive a 2004 boxster and between you and me; I am the slowest Porsche driver in the world, I just love the engineering of the brand. It all works very well and after 20 years it just does what it is suppose to do, bring a smile to my face.

[TheSunTheSea]

I just bought my first ever Porsche this year. A 992.1 Carrera T. I’m in my early 40s. Keep doing what you’re doing - you’ll be driving that boxer engine before my age.

[takeshiC]

Looking into the Porsche market and watching lots of vids so I know the lingo. This helped a lot, thanks!

[LUSPSA]

Not all forces are cancelled. The longitudinal offset between piston pairs do setup a small rocking couple. But as ICE engines go, they are smooth and fast revving, and sound great. I have a 3.4 L Cayman S.

[williammorris]

Porsche also makes their engines durable and they have a life-time cam chain so no timing “belt” to replace. Replace the plugs and drive belt every forty thousand miles and other than typical fluids, brakes, tires and filters that’s all there is on the engine to replace. Another reason they’re so good is refinement. Porsche has been making flat engines for over 80 years. Then there is the intake manifold which is designed to flow air better by using intake air pulses generated when intake valves close and air is redirected to the opposite cylinder bank at increased velocity. They haven’t missed much with so much development.

[ThatCaymanGuy]

well, for one thing the sound of a flat 6 is pretty amazing. my Cayman is almost 20 years old but it roars when i driving in the canyons on an early Sunday morning. However, it is a big pain in the neck to take the back wheels off the car to change the sparkplugs and coils..

[RoadRunner_RRR]

I worked an Subarus and Porsches. I learned Subaru EJ’s and FB’s were identified as “Boxers” but not Porsches. Porsche engines where know as “Flat” layouts. Boxer engine opposed piston’s share a space on the crank while flat engines (as in Porsches) have their own spaces on the crank.

[johnpayne]

The rear weight bias helps when braking because there is a significant amount of weight transfer to the front from the rear. The distribution of weight can approach 50/50 under high deceleration.

[alshaver]

Great video, Matt. Very informative, relevant and concise. The only thing I have to add is what has basically been said below in response to RoadRunner's erroneous post. Flat engines have horizontally opposed pistons. Non boxer flat engines have opposing pistons mounted on the same crank pin resulting in both pistons moving in the same direction resulting in undesirable vibration. The Ferrari non boxer flat engine referred to below was curiously designated by the manufacturer as a "180 Degree V-12". Boxer engines are flat engines in which opposing pistons are mounted on separate and opposing crank pins so that each pair of cylinders moves in opposite directions cancelling out vibrations as stated in the video. Therefore, all boxers are flat, not all flat engines are boxers. All Porsche and Subaru flat engines are boxers.

[peterj]

Great video and well thought out but you missed one other benefit. The inherent balance means that they need minimal counterweights on the crank, meaning they have lower reciprocating mass allowing them to build and lose revs quickly.

[twitch]

I have own my 2006 Boxster S for 5 years, used as a daily driver and I love the sound, smoothness and power of the boxster flat six.

[litestuffllc]

As an Owner of a 1971 Porsche 911T which still runs w 1.3 million miles on the original engine I can elaborate on some points. They need near zero maintainence; my carb was set once, after that just sparkplugs - this is due to the high precision and counter balanced forces that you elaborate on. Another aspect you didn't mention is wear - a flat engine starts with oil still in the cylindars; as a result it does burn some oil; but with other engines gravity drains oil so they start nearly dry. Driving the car properly is also key to any cars longevity; keeping in the power range and not lagging your engine is very important.

[robertvanderlinden]

as a volkswagen beetle owner, service is no problem as i can sink the engine out of the engine bay in the matter of minutes and service it on a stand

[thatguy-mp]

Great video, very informative, i am a diehard porsche enthusiast and still learned a few new things. All in under 5 mins, and i was glad that u also mentioned why not everyone uses it.

[blueskycatcher]

Bought my first Porsche a couple of month ago, a Boxster S with a 3.2 liter boxer engine. I love it! Should have bought one long ago. I have read that the word, "Boxster" is derived from "boxer" and "speedster". Thanks for the video!

[alfa]

This is the most efficient video i have ever seen, simply amazing

[maryissound]

I drive a 987 Boxster and it sounds amazing and yes the car feels on rails, it’s very stable and balanced and just goes exactly where you want it to. I love my Boxster 🥰

[MK-sxbm]

Great video, surprised honestly you don't have more subscribers.. :) Keep it up and this channel is gonna make it to a million at least!

[stephenxre]

I have a 992.1 Carrera S. The sound is music, a real symphony.

[kylewashington]

I'm a big block V8, v12, V16 type of guy, this is informative.