Porsche exec hints at new entry-level model
December 31st, 1969
Porsche's finance chief Holger Härter has revealed that management at the carmaker’s Stuttgart headquarters is considering developing a new entry-level model together with Volkswagen, and that a formal proposal will be submitted within weeks. The proposal is being undertaken in conjunction with the finance arm of VW, and according to Härter both companies "will probably decide on this model this year."
Speculation as to what this new entry-level model will entail has been circulating for months, with conflicting reports hinting everything from a sporty hatch to a compact SUV. While the baby SUV has been denied by officials on a number of occasions, Porsche still has a number of options up its sleeve, reports German newspaper Handelsblatt.
Last year, we reported that Porsche was considering a sports hatch to rival the likes of the BMW 1-series and the Audi S3, and recently there has been talk that Porsche, along with Volkswagen and Audi, could build a new mid-engine sports car to slot below the current Boxster and Cayman lines. Volkswagen is expected to show a concept version of its model at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
Finally, a new front-engined successor to the 928 could be on the cards. With the development of the Panamera almost complete, engineers could easily launch a shortened version of the car with a graceful GT body.
While Porsche has a variety of segments in which to concentrate its efforts, the choice must finally be approved by both VW and Porsche. However, with the expected merger of the two companies, executives now have a minefield to navigate in deciding upon which models to develop - a decision that will be made even more difficult by inter-company politics.
This computer generated rendering gives a good indication as to what a sporty Porsche hatchback could look like but without any official confirmation it remains purely speculative.Porsche hatchback preview
Porsche's finance chief Holger Härter has revealed that management at the carmaker’s Stuttgart headquarters is considering developing a new entry-level model together with Volkswagen, and that a formal proposal will be submitted within weeks. The proposal is being undertaken in conjunction with the finance arm of VW, and according to Härter both companies "will probably decide on this model this year."
Speculation as to what this new entry-level model will entail has been circulating for months, with conflicting reports hinting everything from a sporty hatch to a compact SUV. While the baby SUV has been denied by officials on a number of occasions, Porsche still has a number of options up its sleeve, reports German newspaper Handelsblatt.
Last year, we reported that Porsche was considering a sports hatch to rival the likes of the BMW 1-series and the Audi S3, and recently there has been talk that Porsche, along with Volkswagen and Audi, could build a new mid-engine sports car to slot below the current Boxster and Cayman lines. Volkswagen is expected to show a concept version of its model at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
Finally, a new front-engined successor to the 928 could be on the cards. With the development of the Panamera almost complete, engineers could easily launch a shortened version of the car with a graceful GT body.
While Porsche has a variety of segments in which to concentrate its efforts, the choice must finally be approved by both VW and Porsche. However, with the expected merger of the two companies, executives now have a minefield to navigate in deciding upon which models to develop - a decision that will be made even more difficult by inter-company politics.
This computer generated rendering gives a good indication as to what a sporty Porsche hatchback could look like but without any official confirmation it remains purely speculative.
Porsche exec hints at new entry-level model
October 7th, 2008
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October 7th, 2008
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October 7th, 2008
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Speculation as to what this new entry-level model will entail has been circulating for months, with conflicting reports hinting everything from a sporty hatch to a compact SUV. While the baby SUV has been denied by officials on a number of occasions, Porsche still has a number of options up its sleeve, reports German newspaper Handelsblatt.
Last year, we reported that Porsche was considering a sports hatch to rival the likes of the BMW 1-series and the Audi S3, and recently there has been talk that Porsche, along with Volkswagen and Audi, could build a new mid-engine sports car to slot below the current Boxster and Cayman lines. Volkswagen is expected to show a concept version of its model at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
Finally, a new front-engined successor to the 928 could be on the cards. With the development of the Panamera almost complete, engineers could easily launch a shortened version of the car with a graceful GT body.
While Porsche has a variety of segments in which to concentrate its efforts, the choice must finally be approved by both VW and Porsche. However, with the expected merger of the two companies, executives now have a minefield to navigate in deciding upon which models to develop - a decision that will be made even more difficult by inter-company politics.
This computer generated rendering gives a good indication as to what a sporty Porsche hatchback could look like but without any official confirmation it remains purely speculative.
Porsche hatchback preview
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Comments (5 total)
Meet the top commenters on the LeaderboardOh this is going to be good! If 911 fans are pissed about the Cayanne wait till they see Porsche pumping out FWD hatch backs, they are going to be pissed!!!!
Now what really makes me laugh is I'm yet to hear from an upset 911 owner about Porsche making SUV's and how wrong it suposedly is. It's always the enthusiast who cant afford a 911 that posts comments "oh this is a disaster, what are they thinking?", funny stuff!
If anything, branching out their model line is a good idea. I say this, as of all the Porsche 356's I've photographed none of their owners have new 911's parked in their garages but they do have a Cayanne. I'm sure you'll find Porsche sat down one day and said, how do we get the owners of our classics into our new product line, as well as folks who find the 911 impratical?
If this rumor is true its going to be fun to watch/read peoples reaction. For whats its worth I think its a great idea, why? In sales they call it filling your funnel! In other words sell them on products at the bottom of your price range and then move them up to the pricier stuff as time and money affords them!
www.mywheelsonwalls.com
i believe that you just shut up anyone who was about to complain about that. well done sir
I second that!
I remember all the fuss when "Boxter" was introduced as a "starter/entry-level" model. You'd have thought the world had turned upside down. It only brought new enthusiasts to the fold. I do know I miss mine sometimes.
Its Boxter and a golf gti in one car !!!
two to the price of one LOL
I would love to have one of these. I would definately look at one of these cars in comparison to a 1-series. As reviewers have said in the past, the BMW 1-series is in a segment of its own. A premimum compact sports coupe that has a 'usable' back seat. This Porsche would be just that, a practical Porsche with the same driving dynamics. And you may not be able to put that tag on the Cayanne.
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