Why did Porsche stop the production of the air-cooled engine in 1998?

[shawnbem]

In order to maintain similar price points, meet continually stricter emissions standards, and keep pace with competitor offerings in terms of power output, the only choice was to move to liquid cooled engines. ????

 

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Edited June 3, 2015 by shawnbem

[JFP in PA]

In order to maintain similar price points, meet continually stricter emissions standards, and keep pace with competitor offerings in terms of power output, the only choice was to move to liquid cooled engines. ????

 

Porsche began to "see the light" on water cooled engines with some of their race engines which used air cooled blocks and water cooled heads.  This carried over to the legendary 959 street car, which also used water cooled heads.  The published rationale had to do with both performance and longevity, but the engineers noticed that emissions and noise levels dropped dramatically as well, which started the move towards all water cooled units.

[lkchris]

As of 2013, even the BMW boxer motorcycle engine is watercooled. Pollution and noise emissions, possibility of more power. VW have been watercooled since 1984, i.e. 1983 was their last air cooled engine. Porsche was frankly late to the game.

[Dennis Nicholls]

As of 2013, even the BMW boxer motorcycle engine is watercooled. Pollution and noise emissions, possibility of more power. VW have been watercooled since 1984, i.e. 1983 was their last air cooled engine. Porsche was frankly late to the game.

My brother once bought a new 1983 "wasserboxer" VW Vanagon.  IIRC that year both air cooled and water cooled versions were sold, perhaps for the last time.