Porsche confirms entry-level sports car

[AVANTI R5]

VW Group chairman Martin Winterkorn confirmed today that a new entry-level Porsche sports car is currently being evaluated. Also, a smaller SUV is also considered, by the German manufacturer. “We are also investigating opportunities for a smaller sports car and a smaller SUV - but I cannot say more at the moment.” he said. The new car codenamed by some insiders as the “new 356”, it appears that it will not be a bargain basement model and will cost around $50,000. The new baby Boxster will be based on the new steel and aluminium platform that is currently being developed for the Audi R4. Regarding the powerplant, our sources point at a forced-induction flat four engine capable to deliver around 250 hp, just like the current entry-level Boxster.

[via autocar]

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[AVANTI R5]

VW Group chairman Martin Winterkorn has given the first official confirmation that a new entry-level Porsche sports car is being evaluated.

Talking to Autocar in Wolfsburg as the new VW Polo received its the 2010 Car of the Year Award, Winterkorn said: "The Porsche model range is firmly based on the 911, Boxster, Cayenne and Cayman, and it will stay that way. We are also investigating opportunities for a smaller sports car and a smaller SUV - but I cannot say more at the moment."

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When asked how likely the new models were to make production, he responded: "Let’s just say we do not usually waste our effort…"

Dubbed by some insiders as the “new 356”, the mid-engined machine will not, however, be a bargain basement model, despite initial rumours to the contrary. Given the final green light, it would cost from about £33,000 in today’s money.
Instead, the 356 is expected to be based on a new steel and aluminium platform that’s being developed by Audi for its own R4 mid-engined sports car.

Work on the R4 is already well advanced, and it’s due to be launched in June 2011. However, Porsche’s version of the car, which won’t arrive before late 2012, is expected to be significantly different.

Aside from its unique styling inside and out, the 356 is also expected to be one of the first Porsches to be fitted with a forced-induction flat four engine that is currently under development. This unit will also help ensure the Porsche and Audi have sharply different characters, even though the two cars have the same basic architecture.

It’s also likely that the Porsche will share its transmission with the Audi because the longitudinal unit used in the 911 and Boxster is thought to be too costly.

It’s expected the engine will be good for about 250bhp. That’s virtually the same as today’s entry-level Boxster, although fuel economy would surely be better.

However, there’s little chance that the 356 and Boxster will clash because, according to one rumoured product plan, the next-generation Boxster and Cayman could be moved sharply upmarket.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...ncepts/247060/

[SCRAPPYDO]

So it will be smaller than a boxster, but cost more? Or has base price of boxsters gone up again while I was asleep.

[boostdog]

ya i don't get it either??

[Kiwi]

Bargain basement price of $50k. :unimpressed.

[registering]

Yeah, not really sure where this will actually fit in. Definitely not an "entry level" vehicle though. God I'm getting tired of the 911 body style though..it has soo been beaten to death.

[BlaineWasHere]

So it is going to be like a Porsche Miata? It better be like 25K better!

[mhoward1]

Not sure where this really fits.

[design1stcode2nd]

Starting at $35k and ramping up with options would be good. Otherwise the better option is to just buy the VW version or even Audi version.

[Siper2]

So, VW buys Porsche... then produces a Porsche that competes at the VW cost level?
Confusing, indeed!

And a smaller SUV planned? I thought the Cayenne was getting axed, because VW didn't want the Porsche lineup polluted by an SUV (since they have two VWs)?

[sasquatch95]

It'll be called the Porsche iPad.

[mhoward1]

Originally Posted by sasquatch95

It'll be called the Porsche iPaid.

fixed

[JuggernautTCW]

Originally Posted by Siper2

So, VW buys Porsche... then produces a Porsche that competes at the VW cost level?
Confusing, indeed!

i wouldnt call $50k "VW cost level"...

[mhoward1]

£33,000 does not equal $50K though when talking car prices.

[Tim-H]

Originally Posted by mhoward1

£33,000 does not equal $50K though when talking car prices.

True, It will likely be 38-40k based on that.

[HipToBeSquare]

idiocy.

987 is the base sports car.

how are they going to cut more, and maintain Porsche quality?

If this is transverse-engined, I will be Zorg-ed... Very Dis-A-POINT-ED!!!

Porsche has been saddled with this before... VW pulled out of selling the 914... so Porsche sold it. Audi pulled out of the 924... so Porsche sold it.

They were solid cars... but they didn't exactly instill "Porsche-ness"... The 914 was a great little mid-engined VW... it was an ugly, but at least good mid-engined Porsche.

924 would have been a nice little Audi RWD performance coupe... it was a bit of a wall-flower, as a Porsche... until the 944, and especially the 944 Turbo came around.

[thestig2284]

Really its the beginning of the end of another performance brand, and turned in to a cash cow badge brand.

[aschen]

I think you guys are over reacting a bit. Since it will be a porsche I am fairly confident it will have the following specs:

1.Superbly engineered and a joy to drive

2. Moderately overpriced

a 2500 lb 250hp 40k porsche would be a fantastic achievemnet for the marque. Way better than another 7000 lb 700 hp SUV........thankyou very much

My guess is the boxster cayman and 911 will all continue to creap up in power and price and this will fill a nice market hole for them.

The cheapest porches are often some of their best drivers cars: 914, 944, and coxster

[mhoward1]

Originally Posted by thestig2284

Really its the beginning of the end of another performance brand, and turned in to a cash cow badge brand.

Porsche has had an entry level car since day 1.

The original 356
912
914
924/944

etc, etc.

[max_stirling]

How about a Porsche 550 Spyder replica that's better than the original with a WRX engine for $25-30K. For a little more money you can get the STi engine install in a <2K # vehicle.

[REX8]

Originally Posted by max_stirling

How about a Porsche 550 Spyder replica that's better than the original with a WRX engine for $25-30K. For a little more money you can get the STi engine install in a <2K # vehicle.

Ok terrific

[sub9lulu]

Ls1 993 > *

[BioRetard]

Originally Posted by max_stirling

How about a Porsche 550 Spyder replica that's better than the original with a WRX engine for $25-30K. For a little more money you can get the STi engine install in a <2K # vehicle.

I think that's extremely unlikely, but I too want one really bad.

[Len]

according to one rumoured product plan, the next-generation Boxster and Cayman could be moved sharply upmarket.

This makes a lot of sense. It's a common knowledge now that Cayman-Boxster has a much more potential as a pure bred sports car than the 911, and it only makes sense for Porsche to go with more parallel line up by not detuning the Cayman and at the same time making it much more expensive. But I'm sure this new car will fill the entry level spot very well.

[greg donovan]

Originally Posted by BioRetard

I think that's extremely unlikely, but I too want one really bad.

they exist:

http://bringatrailer.com/2008/04/29/...ed-550-spyder/