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For months now rumors have circulated the web about possible new models and platform sharing between Porsche and VW. I have done my best to avoid the rumor mongering and wait for something concrete before weighing in on the subject. However, a couple of recent articles I read forced my hand.
The two post are titled as “7 New Porsche Revealed” and “New entry-level Porsche revealed“. Is it me? Did I miss an announcement from Porsche? They introduced a new entry-level model? Come on! This isn’t a dig on Autocar, I’m simply using it as an example. The fact is, Autocar has some pretty amazing sources and gets things right a good bit of the time and sooner than most. In fact, I agree with some of the their theories (relaunch of the 928 specifically). I guess I’m just a bit fed up with all the speculation being printed as fact.
What about Platform Sharing?
The fact is, platform sharing between Porsche and Volkswagen is bound to happen. Is it good or bad? That remains to be seen. In my opinion, if Porsche shares the Panamera platform (or any other for that matter) with any of the VW brands, it’s no big deal. If anything, it should simply add to the cache of Porsche as the superior brand.
If, however, Porsche starts badging cars built on a VW platform (and yes, I know it’s been done in the past) then they might need to rethink their current tagline as it would mean their IS a substitution. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but we still need to wait and see.
Where do you stand? Is a new entry level Porsche built on a VW or Audi platform the right way to go? What about a smaller SUV or four cylinder 356 remake? Is anyone else tired of the speculation presented as fact?
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[Source: Autocar and 993C4S]
I receive Motor Trend, Car & Driver, Automobile, AutoWeek, and Road & Track, and I RARELY read the speculation crap they put in. [INSERT CAR NAME HERE] revealed! Oh look, renderings by someone that isn’t from [MANUFACTURER].
Don’t forget the 995.3 – the mini-van. I have pics from the ‘ring.
As long as BMW is around, Porsche will never be accused of diluting the brand — relatively speaking, anyways.
You’ve said it here, and you’ve said it before — building a Porsche on a platform derived elsewhere will spell certain doom for the company — if not sooner, then later.
One thing they should strongly consider is a new entry level car that’s placed at a true entry level price. I’ve said this to people and have been met with ruthless opposition. “Then it wouldn’t be a PORSCHE!” “THEY CAN’T MAKE AN ENTRY CAR” “It wouldn’t be PURE!” — these comments, coming primarily from the folks who only consider 993s to be “true” Porsches, were less than convincing to me. So the company’s smart enough to build cars within strict regulations and confines that win different classes in motorsport, but not smart enough to design a car with financial restrictions? I have more faith in them than that!
There’s an advertisement for a 911 from the early 70′s(1970, actually) that I cut out of a magazine and framed. It reads, “This is a love story,” at the top and has a nice anecdote about how the 911 was built. Status wasn’t a deal-maker in the ad — it was passion. Don’t get me wrong, Porsche has had some spectacular advertisements over the years, but ever since I saw that one, it stuck with me. Evidently, it stuck with many other folks, too — some 911 purists may attribute their disapproving glares towards non-911s to the same advertisement!
What I’m trying to get at is this: We’re in an economic slump, and old-school Porsche fans aren’t getting any younger. Porsche needs a new generation to fall in love with them and their cars, and it’d really help if there was a car in their lineup that was — let’s face it — within their grasp. I’m not saying to put down some POS imitation Porsche that’s 18 grand — because that would be about as smart as re-releasing a modern 912.
Something starting around $30,000 wouldn’t be too low for the marque, though. It doesn’t have to top out at 180mph to be a Porsche! Just something light, maneuverable, with a Porsche-level fit and finish. And no, I don’t think that’s too much to ask of them — I’d like to think the bulk of money invested into each Porsche comes from researching aerodynamics and engine construction, not sowing cow skin together in an ornate fashion.
It’s a crazy idea, I’ll admit, but could it be worse than being forced to badge a Porsche on a VW/Audi platform??
The true blasphemy will occur when Porsche shares the 911 platform with anyone.
Admittedly, the Cayman is a better platform and they will most likely share it, at which point Audi/VW may have the stones to put a real motor (4.2 FSI V8?), real gearing, and a real LSD in there, but the 911 is the platform that Porsche stands on – that must remain Porsche and Porsche only.
I own a 993,I bought it because I wanted a true sports car.and did not want a wannabe knock-off.I passed on 240z,s and the like and saved for years,to buy it ! there are many low mileage,like new porsches out there.Porsche should never share a place with anyone !!! there is only one Porsche and Its High standards should never be diluted by producing a cheap car,or using inferior parts!Beg or borrow the money,you will never regret it.TGP
Porsche has been platform sharing for over 8 years: Cayenne…Toureg…and the Audi-whatever (sorry, I’ve not been paying much attention to theAudi SUV line-up).
Oh, and if you need more history on that… several early 50′s 356 shared platforms…
…oh, and the first 356′s… a shared platform/drivetrain FROM the VW Beetle…
It’s not exactly blasphemy when its really All In The Family since the beginning.
Looking at the real DNA, the complete 997 family traces its beginning from a shared platform with VW.
Thudertub,
I tend to agree with @Gorak. Yes, the original Porsche was built from a VW platform ad yes, the 914 was simply a VW rebadged as a Porsche. Yes, VW pays Porsche a royalty everytime they produce one of their SUVs. However, I don’t think that necessarily means we should welcome the idea of the 911 platform being shared. It would be bad enough for Porsche to put their badge on someone elses platform. It’s something else entirely if they start sharing the “flagship” platform of the 911 and allow it to ride under a different marque.
We have 356, stock, outlaws, 911, and so on. How about a 4 cyl. or diesel smaller than boxter? Or diesel in SUV………answers are not all electric unless we can reduce electric costs??
I don’t “favor” sharing the 911 platform with anyone. I don’t avocate that Porsche should. And I hope they never do. My comment was that Porsche has in the past shared platforms in both directions – 356 (a multitude of chassis shared out with many very famous race car and custom chassis builders), 914, 924, Cayenne etc. If buying into VW technology and research gets “us” a new model below the Boxster, and it is fun and extremely efficient, then why not?
I also agree with Daniel Bird. What is wrong with a clean diesel sportscar? AUDI races them with substantial success. How about the VW/AUDI TDI and PDK in a Cayman? Or a Porsche version of the new Golf R in their line-up – something usable to bring the traffic in the door more frequently.
Autoweek website said today that the Cajin mini X-3 like SUV (RX Lexus fighter) will have a diesel.
Never sure the press is right or guessing until it happens, but this appears to be a “shared platform” with Audi already. Don’t know why they won’t sell the Cayenne Diesel here, bet it is one of the largest sellers in Yirrip…….
I have absolutely no problem with a clean diesel. I wish I could have purchased our Cayenne in a diesel (although now I’m looking at the Hybrid S).
As for platform sharing, I really don’t have a problem with Porsche sharing their platforms with anyone. As has already been pointed out, every time VW produces one of their SUVs, a little bell rings in Porsche’s accounting office to tally the licensing fee.
What I don’t want to see (and this is just me personally) is a VW or an Audi re-badged as a Porsche. To me, that’s spells brand dilution. It might be “all in the family” but that doesn’t make incest right….
Holy old thread!
Diesels have pluses and minuses like everything else in life (well, *almost* everything else). They make for front heavy cars and are quite expensive by the time you get done making them act and behave cleanly. And while they can generate good (or even exceptional) torque, they don’t make the horsepower of an equivalent, lighter weight gasoline engine.
Then there is the business case and a perception issue here in the U.S. Europe is wired differently, in more ways than one.
While things may be “different” on the other side of the pond, they clearly do not like to pay a HIGH price for fuel, hence diesel. Not sure they are more expensive than what I see in my 911, bet the motor is by far still the most expensive item. As for no horsepower, Audi apparently did not get the message nor did any trucker, locomotive, or many ocean ships diesel powered equipment. Perception can be altered by cost. The diesel is a motor with a mini refining fuel plant system so they may use the cheapest source of fuel as the refining further into gas and grades of gas are done at huge cost. The fuel folks simply figured out that all those trucks have huge gas tanks so up went the price on diesel and they miss the extra costs or making gas. That is quite a marketing rip to say the least. Maintenance costs are much less, we have owned a number of over the road trucks and at least a million miles were expected. They even seal the locomotives and ships so even less maintenance is done.
We often think we know more over here but maybe they are better at local economics at least at the fuel pump so that is why most seem to be in diesel.
So, bring on my small diesel sports car that might outlive me! They almost got here in the R-8 or 10 but something stopped that street car…..
I would like to see Porsche build a sport wagon to compete with Audi A4 Avant.
Just about every manufacturer now has a station wagon (sport wagon), so why not Porsche. I would be first in line because the Cayanne is a little too big for my needs.
Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far, away, Porsche did in fact build a sport wagon, based on the Audi A4 Avant, and completely decked out with Porsche running gear and interior. It sold as a series production car in the early 1990′s, in Europe only. Know as the RS4 Avant, it had 964 RS (RS America in the US) wheels, brakes, struts, seats, gauges, door pulls, etc., and a special “tuner” engine from Porsche. It ran down exactly the same assembly line as the 964 at the Zuffenhausen factory.
And if a wagon wasn’t your thing, how about a sedan – from Mecedes – the E500 of that same era, with Porsche 928 hardware and running gear. That one DID come to the US and you can find them for sale from time to time.
Correcting some minor errors I made above:
Mercedes, not Mecedes.
500E initially, then in its last year of production E500
Audi RS2 Avant was the actual initial designation of the Audi/Porsche. The RS4 Avant is the successor name (and with no specific Porsche hardware).
@Thundertub,
The Audi wagon was a fantastic machine. As for Porsche specific wagons, I’m a fan of the DP conversions on the 944. See http://porschepurist.com/cars/porsche-944-cars/porsche-944-station-wagon-by-dp-motorsport/