2013 Audi A3

Porsche exec hints at new entry-level model

 
6 14,087 views Oct 7, 2008

porsche hatchback rendering 001

porsche hatchback rendering 001

porsche hatchback rendering 001

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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

HI-RES GALLERY: porsche hatchback rendering 001




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Comments (6)

  1. ma_www.mywheelsonwalls.com avatar www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 10/7/2008 9:27am PDT

    Oh 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
     
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  2. ma_james avatar James Martinez Posted: 10/7/2008 9:36am PDT

    i believe that you just shut up anyone who was about to complain about that. well done sir
     
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  3. ma_beancounter avatar beancounter Posted: 10/7/2008 11:03am PDT

    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.
     
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  4. ma_ibo avatar ibo Posted: 10/17/2008 2:03am PDT

    Its Boxter and a golf gti in one car !!!
    two to the price of one LOL
     
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  5. ma_mlevere1992 avatar mlevere1992 Posted: 10/20/2008 6:49am PDT

    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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  6. By  heating oil prices Posted: 1/19/2010 10:48pm PST

    I want to have one of these, because I know that this cars are built for driving convenience
     
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