Fanch,
So... there are some contradictory statements, as you point out. But let's say Wedeking's statement about going to a market segment below their current offerings is the truth.
That would be, presumably, 3-Series and S4 territory. The information on the model numbers (four-passenger coupe, code-named E2A, and a four-door sedan, code-named E2B) is pretty specific. Details add believability, so let's go with them. That rules out an Audi TT-fighter. Rules out an Elise-fighter. Means a car you could sell lots of, presumably, if it was a sports sedan/sports coupe that was "true" to the Porsche heritage.
What I like about the idea of that kind of car is that it is, among other things, an "honest" car. Audi A4 and S4s are reasonably priced, not "flashy," but great cars for the price. So a, say, $39,000 -- $45,000 (I think that's like 34,000 Euros, at the close of today's market) Porsche sports sedan with a Cayenne V8 and Boxster-feel suspension is pretty appealing! And if it handles better and is faster than an M3, well then! If it did that and looked as good as an S4, so much the better.
Or, to engage in a bit of magical realism, let's say they design a mid/rear engine, cab-forward sports sedan with 300 HP that handles like a Boxster, uses the 911 engine and is completely different. OK, I'll roll over and go back to sleep now.
Naturally, it would be too expensive to develop.
As many people have stated before me, Porsche is a little behind in the horsepower wars. Being currently in between Porsches (and when I'm in between Porsches, I'm much more interested in reading about them than when I have one in the garage), I'm currently driving my wife's Volvo V70R, a 260 HP sports wagon. The new model has 340 HP+-. I'm sorry, but I don't think a Porsche sedan would want to have less HP than a Volvo wagon. Granted, Porsche has historically been more about superior engineering and overall performance than about pure HP, but still.
But here's another bit of magical realism, unthinkable because it's hard to imagine making the margins they need: a WRC entry in the WRX/Mitsu Evo class. A pocket rocket. Light and incredibly fun to drive. Porsche purists please note: this is where Porsche started. There is nothing more pure than a light, fast "peoples'" Porsche. At the very dawn of the Sixties, I used to watch the racing at Sandown outside of Melbourne. The cars that were loved were Minis and Porsches because they were the little cars battling the big guys and winning. They were light and true. Could Porsche regain that heritage? Using the Boxster frame, with the Boxster engine in the rear, you would have a car would be unique, wicked, intelligent and, in my insignificant and humble world view, very desirable.
Let me take another sip of tequila
before I offer this final thought: the WRC has certainly a wide appeal among younger drivers in North America and Europe. Porsche used to dominate this racing medium in the Sixties and early Seventies and could certainly do it again. F1 and Le Mans too expensive? Perhaps WRC fits the budget better. And if it draws in a whole new generation of Porschephiles, I am, as they say, down with that.
Enter then, stage left, a street legal rally Porsche (who cares how many doors) that's light and true. I'm pulling my check book out now. For, say, $37,000, what would there be to say no to?
OK, let me concentrate on this tequila. It's sunset in Texas.
Dain