You may have heard that the Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster are scheduled to get a refresh for the 2016 or 2017 model year. This update will include small styling changes to the 991 and 981 models, but it's the engine that will be getting the biggest update.

Porsches CEO Matthias Mueller confirmed that the 911, Cayman and Boxster will get smaller engines in the non-higher performance cars. However, to make up for any lost power, they will be turbocharged. A similar move was made in the Panamera and Cayenne lineups when the standard S models — and the Cayenne GTS — changed to a twin-turbocharged V6 from the naturally aspirated V8.

Back when the company's luxury performance sedan underwent this change, I was invited to drive the new lineup on the road and track. While the turbocharged V6 sounded different from the V8, the difference wasn't noticeable from a performance standpoint. The power was so predictable that, outside of a display showing the boost, you wouldn't think it was turbocharged.

So, having experienced just how well Porsche did with that big change, the automaker should be up to the challenge for its sports cars. Reports have the 911 Carrera engine shrinking from a 3.4-liter flat six all the way down to a 2.9-liter, and the Carrera S could shrink to a 3.4-liter. These rumored specs have the base Carrera making as much as 400 horsepower (same as the current S), and the Carrera S could make as much as 500 horsepower (although 450 may be a more likely target).

2013 Porsche Boxster.

While the 911 is getting a smaller engine, the Cayman and Boxster are not only getting a smaller power plant but also one that is losing two cylinders. Yes, the next generation of the mid-engine sports cars will be powered by a twin-turbocharged flat-four.

The engine for the standard Boxster and Cayman will likely be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, offering as much as 350 horsepower. The turbocharged S models will probably receive a 2.5-liter flat-four engine. Rumor has them putting out as much as 400 horsepower, but I think 375 is more likely the top end for now.

In a sense, the four-cylinder Porsches are a nod to the early cars wearing the badge. Models like the 356 and 550 Spyder were great in their day and were powered by flat-fours. These new Boxsters and Caymans will take the smaller-engined Porsches beyond the performance level of the last Porsche powered by four cylinders, the 968.

These smaller turbocharged engines will only appear in the standard and S models of the 911, Cayman and Boxster. The higher-performance GT3, GT4 and current Turbos will not be affected. There's no word yet on whether the GTS models will get a smaller turbocharged power plant, though it's worth noting that the Panamera GTS retained the naturally aspirated V8.

Now that you know the details, you probably are wondering why. Why change the wonderful naturally aspirated flat-sixes that we love? The answer has largely to do with ever-more-stringent emission and fuel-economy mandates. Because of these government requirements and to prepare for possible future changes, Porsche will make their cars as fuel efficient as possible. Thus, the change to smaller twin-turbocharged engines is a good move for the future.

One big question remains: Will the updated 911s, Boxsters and Caymans be any good? Will they be as much fun as the current car?

While we won't know until we can drive them, from my experience with the Panamera S, I would say that the new cars should be excellent. Plus, those of us with modern, nonturbocharged larger-displacement Porsches may see our cars retain or gain value in the near future.

2014 Porsche Cayman.