New entry-level Porsche revealed
10-27-09, 06:39 PM
#1
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New entry-level Porsche revealed
28 October 2009
New entry-level Porsche revealed
28 October 2009
Porsche is preparing to roll out a new entry-level sports car that will help underpin the maker’s long-term future as part of the giant VW Group.
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 launch 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.
As well as their common structure, the two cars will share many other costly sub-systems. These include the electrical architecture, climate control system, basic suspension layout, electronic chassis systems and innumerable hidden parts, such as seat frames and door locking mechanisms.
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.
Not much is known about the flat-four engine at this stage, but Porsche sales and marketing boss Klaus Bening told Autocar earlier this year “That there is a clear trend towards downsizing, using smaller powerplants and supercharging. We will find our own conclusion to downsizing”.
Using today’s flat six as a starting point, a new flat-four engine would come in at just over 1900cc and could use either a light-pressure turbo or a supercharger. The light-pressure turbo set-up is already said to be under development for 2012’s 911.
It’s highly likely that such a unit would 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.
Porsche has a financial problem with today’s Boxster/Cayman/911 line-up. According to an analyst’s report seen by Autocar, the cost of the components that make up one of the flat-six models is perilously close to the base price of a Boxster.
Indeed, the entry-level Boxster is only just over half the price of an entry-level 911, despite the two cars costing a similar sum to make.
Porsche can haul in significant profits from this model range in the good times — mostly thanks to the huge margins delivered by the high-end 911s. However, when combined sales fall below 50,000, the profitability of the flat-six model line is badly dented.
In the wake of the 356 launch, Porsche would be able to make the 3.2 Boxster S that model’s entry-level car, priced at £40,000. This would help improve the profitability of Porsche’s sports car line, especially since sales are not expected to be dented significantly.
However, in the long run, all Porsche’s sports cars will probably be based on the 356’s steel and aluminium platform. Selling four flat-engined sports cars on the same basic platform at volumes of over 75,000 per year — plus 25,000 or so units from Audi’s R4 — would help secure the long-term future of Porsche’s most iconic models.
Hilton Holloway
New entry-level Porsche revealed
28 October 2009
Porsche is preparing to roll out a new entry-level sports car that will help underpin the maker’s long-term future as part of the giant VW Group.
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 launch 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.
As well as their common structure, the two cars will share many other costly sub-systems. These include the electrical architecture, climate control system, basic suspension layout, electronic chassis systems and innumerable hidden parts, such as seat frames and door locking mechanisms.
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.
Not much is known about the flat-four engine at this stage, but Porsche sales and marketing boss Klaus Bening told Autocar earlier this year “That there is a clear trend towards downsizing, using smaller powerplants and supercharging. We will find our own conclusion to downsizing”.
Using today’s flat six as a starting point, a new flat-four engine would come in at just over 1900cc and could use either a light-pressure turbo or a supercharger. The light-pressure turbo set-up is already said to be under development for 2012’s 911.
It’s highly likely that such a unit would 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.
Porsche has a financial problem with today’s Boxster/Cayman/911 line-up. According to an analyst’s report seen by Autocar, the cost of the components that make up one of the flat-six models is perilously close to the base price of a Boxster.
Indeed, the entry-level Boxster is only just over half the price of an entry-level 911, despite the two cars costing a similar sum to make.
Porsche can haul in significant profits from this model range in the good times — mostly thanks to the huge margins delivered by the high-end 911s. However, when combined sales fall below 50,000, the profitability of the flat-six model line is badly dented.
In the wake of the 356 launch, Porsche would be able to make the 3.2 Boxster S that model’s entry-level car, priced at £40,000. This would help improve the profitability of Porsche’s sports car line, especially since sales are not expected to be dented significantly.
However, in the long run, all Porsche’s sports cars will probably be based on the 356’s steel and aluminium platform. Selling four flat-engined sports cars on the same basic platform at volumes of over 75,000 per year — plus 25,000 or so units from Audi’s R4 — would help secure the long-term future of Porsche’s most iconic models.
Hilton Holloway
10-27-09, 06:44 PM
#2
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Seven new Porsches revealed
Seven new Porsches revealed
28 October 2009
Porsche's product plan for the next four years is outlined below.
Panamera V6 and diesel 2010
Porsche will launch V6 petrol and V6 diesel versions of the Panamera towards the end of next year. It’s unlikely that either model will get four-wheel drive since these versions are designed to be cheaper, entry-level models and, in the case of the diesel, pretty frugal.
With the next-generation Cayenne also not far from the showroom, there’s a good chance that these engines will be updated, if not significantly re-engineered, versions of the units seen in today’s Cayenne.
The Panamera petrol and diesel V6s will make the car far more affordable than the V8s, but this doesn’t mean they will be all that cheap. In the Cayenne, swapping from eight to six cylinders saves about £10,000. If the Panamera follows that pattern, it would mean a starting price of just over £60,000.
New Cayenne - 2010
Next year’s Cayenne will have a much more curvaceous and fluid exterior, to bring it further into line with the design language used on the 911. The bonnet is 911-shaped, tapering to a narrow opening between the redesigned headlights. Wrap-around lozenge-shaped tail lights also give the Cayenne a hint of 911 at the rear. Under the skin, the biggest changes will be the reworked direct-injection V8 engines first seen in the Panamera.
Cayenne Hybrid - 2011
Porsche is in desperate need of a hybrid for the Cayenne range, and although this model was signed off last year, it is not expected to go on sale until 2011. The company says the car will use a “full parallel hybrid system”, and there will be the option of running the vehicle for a short distance in ‘zero emissions’ mode. Porsche is claiming economy improvements of up to 30 per cent, and impressive performance when both the engine and electric motor are propelling the Cayenne.
Panamera Hybrid - 2011
The Panamera hybrid will be one of the most important versions of the super-saloon, but it won’t be cheap. Porsche can use the same sophisticated transmission in the Panamera as it does in the Cayenne hybrid (which combines an automatic ’box and electric motors), but the installation will be quite different.
The Panamera hybrid is unlikely to have four-wheel drive. This is partly for reasons of economy, but also because it has a very different four-wheel drive system from the big SUV. The 4WD Panamera not only uses a Haldex clutch mounted on the rear of the transmission housing, but also directs power forward to a driveshaft system that runs through the engine’s sump.
Although a V8 hybrid might be more appealing to the US, a more efficient V6 hybrid would suit Europe better.
New 911 - 2012
The next Porsche 911, due in summer 2012, will be an all-new model. Porsche is not prepared to take any revolutionary steps with the styling, so while it might look similar to the current 911 don’t be fooled; nearly every panel on this 911 coupé and cabrio will be new. The car will be slightly longer (almost 4500mm across the range) and wider (around 1860mm on the base Carrera and 25mm extra on the Turbo). These alterations are down to a modified steel floorpan, which has a wheelbase extended by 50mm to 2400mm, and new suspension.
Rockster/ Small SUV - 2013
A few years ago, Porsche was seriously investigating building a small SUV to slot in below the Cayenne. One of the full-sized concept models was a three-door “off-road coupe” that had strong 911 styling cues.
Autocar had the design study confirmed by one of highest-ranking Porsche bosses, although he would not comment on the position of the engine, mainly because the styling had strong mid-engine overtones.
However, it has subsequently come to light that Porsche’s engineering arm was working on the body engineering of the new Audi Q5 SUV. It’s likely that this was the donor car, but co-operation is said to have been pulled by the then-Audi boss, Martin Winterkorn.
Latest reports say that now Porsche is part of VW, and VW is headed by Winterkorn, the Q5 could be used as the basis for a baby Cayenne.
Just as the new 356 could allow the Boxster to move upmarket, so the arrival of a Porsche Rockster small SUV could allow the Cayenne to do the same and make the big SUV more profitable.
928 cabrio and coupe - 2013
Having put a substantial amount of money into the almost entirely all-new Panamera model, Porsche will be keen to recoup some of its costs. The best way to do this would be a coupé and a cabrio to take on cars like the Bentley Continental GT and Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio. One senior company source has already told Autocar that a large three-door, in the spirit of the 928, would be a “very nice” addition to the line-up, although nothing has been signed off. In any case, it is understood that a cabrio version would be first to arrive, in 2013.
28 October 2009
Porsche's product plan for the next four years is outlined below.
Panamera V6 and diesel 2010
Porsche will launch V6 petrol and V6 diesel versions of the Panamera towards the end of next year. It’s unlikely that either model will get four-wheel drive since these versions are designed to be cheaper, entry-level models and, in the case of the diesel, pretty frugal.
With the next-generation Cayenne also not far from the showroom, there’s a good chance that these engines will be updated, if not significantly re-engineered, versions of the units seen in today’s Cayenne.
The Panamera petrol and diesel V6s will make the car far more affordable than the V8s, but this doesn’t mean they will be all that cheap. In the Cayenne, swapping from eight to six cylinders saves about £10,000. If the Panamera follows that pattern, it would mean a starting price of just over £60,000.
New Cayenne - 2010
Next year’s Cayenne will have a much more curvaceous and fluid exterior, to bring it further into line with the design language used on the 911. The bonnet is 911-shaped, tapering to a narrow opening between the redesigned headlights. Wrap-around lozenge-shaped tail lights also give the Cayenne a hint of 911 at the rear. Under the skin, the biggest changes will be the reworked direct-injection V8 engines first seen in the Panamera.
Cayenne Hybrid - 2011
Porsche is in desperate need of a hybrid for the Cayenne range, and although this model was signed off last year, it is not expected to go on sale until 2011. The company says the car will use a “full parallel hybrid system”, and there will be the option of running the vehicle for a short distance in ‘zero emissions’ mode. Porsche is claiming economy improvements of up to 30 per cent, and impressive performance when both the engine and electric motor are propelling the Cayenne.
Panamera Hybrid - 2011
The Panamera hybrid will be one of the most important versions of the super-saloon, but it won’t be cheap. Porsche can use the same sophisticated transmission in the Panamera as it does in the Cayenne hybrid (which combines an automatic ’box and electric motors), but the installation will be quite different.
The Panamera hybrid is unlikely to have four-wheel drive. This is partly for reasons of economy, but also because it has a very different four-wheel drive system from the big SUV. The 4WD Panamera not only uses a Haldex clutch mounted on the rear of the transmission housing, but also directs power forward to a driveshaft system that runs through the engine’s sump.
Although a V8 hybrid might be more appealing to the US, a more efficient V6 hybrid would suit Europe better.
New 911 - 2012
The next Porsche 911, due in summer 2012, will be an all-new model. Porsche is not prepared to take any revolutionary steps with the styling, so while it might look similar to the current 911 don’t be fooled; nearly every panel on this 911 coupé and cabrio will be new. The car will be slightly longer (almost 4500mm across the range) and wider (around 1860mm on the base Carrera and 25mm extra on the Turbo). These alterations are down to a modified steel floorpan, which has a wheelbase extended by 50mm to 2400mm, and new suspension.
Rockster/ Small SUV - 2013
A few years ago, Porsche was seriously investigating building a small SUV to slot in below the Cayenne. One of the full-sized concept models was a three-door “off-road coupe” that had strong 911 styling cues.
Autocar had the design study confirmed by one of highest-ranking Porsche bosses, although he would not comment on the position of the engine, mainly because the styling had strong mid-engine overtones.
However, it has subsequently come to light that Porsche’s engineering arm was working on the body engineering of the new Audi Q5 SUV. It’s likely that this was the donor car, but co-operation is said to have been pulled by the then-Audi boss, Martin Winterkorn.
Latest reports say that now Porsche is part of VW, and VW is headed by Winterkorn, the Q5 could be used as the basis for a baby Cayenne.
Just as the new 356 could allow the Boxster to move upmarket, so the arrival of a Porsche Rockster small SUV could allow the Cayenne to do the same and make the big SUV more profitable.
928 cabrio and coupe - 2013
Having put a substantial amount of money into the almost entirely all-new Panamera model, Porsche will be keen to recoup some of its costs. The best way to do this would be a coupé and a cabrio to take on cars like the Bentley Continental GT and Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio. One senior company source has already told Autocar that a large three-door, in the spirit of the 928, would be a “very nice” addition to the line-up, although nothing has been signed off. In any case, it is understood that a cabrio version would be first to arrive, in 2013.
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10-27-09, 10:40 PM
#9
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I agree 100% Porsche is getting way to watered down, I dont like one bit. I am fine with the 911, Cayman, Boxster and the new 356 but hybrid's and diesel's?? Come on, it seems to me that Porsche is not as exclusive anymore. With the way Porsche is doing buisness a front wheel drive eco Porsche doesnt sound too absurd. I know it sounds hasty but diesel's hybrid's and cute utes? leave those cars for Toyota and VW...
10-28-09, 01:08 AM
#10
Lexus Champion
I agree.......but I guess they may no choice especially with the upcoming EU mandate requiring a sharp decrease in maximum fleet rating of CO2 emissions, I guess they didn't have much choice (hence why they're now coming up with diesels, more six-cylinder units and now hybrids in order for them to operate their EU business).
10-28-09, 10:28 AM
#15
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