Aug 12, 2009 10:28:45 AM
IMO Porsche should focus on sports car production and motorsports only. By widening the range, it is diluting its identity IMO. This 'subsidiary' no longer needs to worry about producing lower emission cars to meet EU emissions quotas per manufacturer AFAIK. I would also do away with the Panamera, Cayman and the cash cow Cayenne. While it's a great SUV, it's revenue stream isn't needed anymore. I would focus on Boxster, 911, a GT big brother and a CGT successor.
Rennteam Moderator - 997.1 C2S Coupe GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection
Aug 12, 2009 10:39:15 AM
easy_rider911:
IMO Porsche should focus on sports car production and motorsports only. By widening the range, it is diluting its identity IMO. This 'subsidiary' no longer needs to worry about producing lower emission cars to meet EU emissions quotas per manufacturer AFAIK. I would also do away with the Panamera, Cayman and the cash cow Cayenne. While it's a great SUV, it's revenue stream isn't needed anymore. I would focus on Boxster, 911, a GT big brother and a CGT successor.
Smart ..
--
"alfa corse"
I would only produce cars with exquisite sports characteristics and advanced technology
These cars would not have to be defined by shape or number of doors or seats. A Panamera can be a sports car given the right power/weight and the right handling and agility. I would keep the Cayenne because it already has a strong following and has built a name in the market but concentrate on powerful models only, including large multi-cylinder diesels if there is demand for them.
Another must is to permanently have a supercar/exotic in the range a la Carrera GT to lift the image of the brand.
--
It's not where you're going, it's how you get there that counts
Eunice:
I know what I'ld do, I would built a 917 successor
More focussed cars with less weight! They don't need to fill their cars with gadgetry in the hopes of appealing to a wider market. VW has that equation covered. Let Porsche return to top level racing, in- turn showcasing them as what they were. Porsche has a proud history that can be exploited by VW and provide them with serious credibility. Remember in the 80's when they were building championship engines for McLaren F1, winning the Dakar and dominating in sportscar racing? I see this as an opportunity for VW to have a truly unique brand. We don't need more people who view Porsche as a status symbol! There are plenty of passionate people who drive cars because of the soul it has. That man and machine connection that speaks it's intoxicating language.
Automobiles can be porn, seductive and yet simple.
Eunice:
I know what I'ld do, I would built a 917 successor
You beat me to it Eunice, as soon as i saw the thread that was the first thing that came to mind, followed shortly by the destruction of the panamera and all the evidence that it ever existed.
Here's what I'd do -
Give next generation Cayman a more differentiated look to the Boxster and price it below the soft top model like every other manufacturer does.
Introduce Club Sport or RS variants of the Boxster and Cayman as limited run exclusive halo models for the range.
Bring out a true successor to the 928 that seats four but provides reasonable luggage space for two to allow it to be used as a proper GT. Keep the weight and gadget count down.
Reintroduce the classic Targa model for the 911 range with a removable roof panel that can be stowed away under the front hood.
Drop the V8 turbo engine into an R8 chassis and re-body it using a totally new design direction for Porsche, elements of which could be used on future Porsche models.
ISUK:
Drop the V8 turbo engine into an R8 chassis and re-body it using a totally new design direction for Porsche, elements of which could be used on future Porsche models.
We wouldn't like that one
reginos:
ISUK:
Drop the V8 turbo engine into an R8 chassis and re-body it using a totally new design direction for Porsche, elements of which could be used on future Porsche models.
We wouldn't like that one
Blasphemy!!!!
I could go for the RS Spyder engine. Ooops... I just had a wet dream!
Eunice:
Tim:
There was an article in the German news that Porsche wants to grow by 50!!!% in the next years by adding a fifth model to their range.
So much about refocusing on sports cars.
Do we know it's not a sports car?
I've read the interview of Herr Winterkorn, actually the new boss. He wishes Porsche to expand without losing exclusivity. He envisages this happening by selling more cars in emerging markets outside Europe and N.A.
A customer in NY or California would not care if for example 20.000 more Porsches are sold in China, India or Russia and he wouldn't be able to see them anyway.
Bentley grew from 2.000 units to 10.000 units worldwide and yet they are a rare sight in the traditional markets.
I expect for sure a 2+2 coupe with front engine from Porsche and a Supercar a la Carrera GT in the next 2-3 years.
Aug 19, 2009 11:51:31 AM
Eunice:
Tim:
There was an article in the German news that Porsche wants to grow by 50!!!% in the next years by adding a fifth model to their range.
So much about refocusing on sports cars.
Do we know it's not a sports car?
He was praising the financial benefits of platform concepts and is aiming at a 4-5 yrs payback period for VW's investment into Porsche. Everybody can draw his own conclusions what this means...
Aug 20, 2009 12:46:22 AM
Porsche-Jeck:
Eunice:
Tim:
There was an article in the German news that Porsche wants to grow by 50!!!% in the next years by adding a fifth model to their range.
So much about refocusing on sports cars.
Do we know it's not a sports car?
He was praising the financial benefits of platform concepts and is aiming at a 4-5 yrs payback period for VW's investment into Porsche. Everybody can draw his own conclusions what this means...
Well, if they put the quad-turbocharged W16 from the Bugatti Veyron into the Panamera, make it look like a Bentley Continental, and use the transmission from the Carrera GT, then I might break down and lower myself into buying one.
1997 993 TT Proto 3.8L 700HP
2005 996 TSCab EVO GT700
2006 Noble M400 "M600" 573RWHP
2007 Audi RS4 MTM exhaust/clutch/LWFW
Eunice:
I know what I'ld do, I would built a 917 successor
Better yet, the 917/30. Put all 12 air-cooled, turbocharged cylinders into the back of a "991" 911, delete the rear seats to make everything fit, and make it the ultimate GT2!
1997 993 TT Proto 3.8L 700HP
2005 996 TSCab EVO GT700
2006 Noble M400 "M600" 573RWHP
2007 Audi RS4 MTM exhaust/clutch/LWFW
Stop the special editions, but improve the car every year vs only at facelifts.
Bring back the CGT.
Produce more GT3 and RS, no stupid waiting list, Porsche is not Ferrari.
Get rid of Cayenne V6 and diesel.
Propose the TT S version and RS version much earlier in the cycle.
Forget hybrid, go pure electric.
Don't hold back hp increases (20 more hp on the 997.2 TT? 500hp for the top Panamera model?)
Split the panamera in two categories: a 5 seater and a 2+2 coupe.
Make many many more options standard (sport crono an option? Leather not standard in a 911? iPod and bluetooth? the list goes on) even if it means raising the price a little. This would do wonders for the Boxster.
At the same time propose more exclusive option even if they cost more.
SciFrog:
Stop the special editions, but improve the car every year vs only at facelifts.
Bring back the CGT.
Produce more GT3 and RS, no stupid waiting list, Porsche is not Ferrari.
Get rid of Cayenne V6 and diesel.
Propose the TT S version and RS version much earlier in the cycle.
Forget hybrid, go pure electric.
Don't hold back hp increases (20 more hp on the 997.2 TT? 500hp for the top Panamera model?)
Split the panamera in two categories: a 5 seater and a 2+2 coupe.
Make many many more options standard (sport crono an option? Leather not standard in a 911? iPod and bluetooth? the list goes on) even if it means raising the price a little.
At the same time propose more exclusive option even if they cost more.
This all makes reasonable sense-but I still like my proposals.
1997 993 TT Proto 3.8L 700HP
2005 996 TSCab EVO GT700
2006 Noble M400 "M600" 573RWHP
2007 Audi RS4 MTM exhaust/clutch/LWFW
Give us modern designs!!!
Something that will be as new and modern compared to the existing range as the 911 was to the 356 in the early 60's. Or as new and daring as the 928 was in the 1970s compared to the 911 of the day.
I love the 911 shape as much as the next person on this board, if not more, but I would like some designs freed from the slavish and conservative and retro-ish minor reworking of the same curves and surfaces.
1. I would make Porsche the sportier "Audi" in the company
2. I would try to use as many as possible common parts between the various VW brands, of course only those parts which are invisible like engines, electronics, electrics, drivetrain, engines, etc.
3. I would offer an entry-level Porsche model for the masses with Audi technology (for some people the brand is important, not the technology behind it), this could be the rumored 5th model
4. I would introduce a Super Porsche model to send out the message that VW cares about Porsche
5. I would place more models "in-between", a larger variety to suit all needs and pockets
6. I would introduce a 3 year WARRANTY for Porsche cars
7. I would start to offer better lease offers through Porsche Financial or VW Bank
Bla bla bla...no matter what I say, it doesn't really matter. One thing is for sure: VW needs to be very careful about how they "handle" Porsche at the beginning because I already know a lot people, some longtime Porsche owners among them, who are very upset about the "takeover" and who are watching very closely what VW will do to Porsche.
Personally, I think that us customers will benefit in a way or another from the takeover, at least I hope so.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Aug 20, 2009 9:27:34 AM
Count me amongst the people that are "very upset about the "takeover" and who are watching very closely what VW will do to Porsche".
Judging from what appears to be happening in the the Motorsport division, the start is not at all auspicious!
Not "sporty" at all...if you see what I mean.
Aug 20, 2009 10:16:05 AM
Turbo Al:
This all makes reasonable sense-but I still like my proposals.
Hahaha, I like your proposals as well, Al - no bean counter perspective, just performance and fun
Aug 20, 2009 1:01:18 PM
racerx:
In a perfect world the porsche line up would have
boxster
cayman 350 hp
997 gt3
997 tt
997 gt2
panamera
928 version 2
cgt
with no entry level 911's.
^^ from 2007 before the panamera final look was known., redesign the panamera and the cayenne
http://www.rennteam.com/forum/page1.html;jsessionid=1t372gs4gaj45?vs=0
According to German news site n-tv, Winterkorn is thinking about an entry level car below the Boxster. Another option is a smaller Cayenne a la Q5 and possibly another Panamera variant- think 3 series. Ouch!
Now Porsche is really turning into another BMW- about time they start adjusting prices accordingly!
Tim
Aug 20, 2009 2:21:25 PM
How about the following line up:
Cayman (300 PS)
Cayman S (350 PS)
Cayman RS (375 PS) (in limited numbers)
Boxster (300 PS)
Boxster S (350 PS)
Cayenne (350PS)
Cayenne Diesel (300PS)
Cayenne S (450PS)(+25 PS powerkit)
Cayenne Turbo (550 PS) (+25 PS powerkit)
Cayenne Turbo S (600 PS) (+25 PS powerkit)
Panamera, Panamera 4 (350PS)
Panamera S, Panamera 4S (450PS) (+25 PS powerkit)
Panamera Turbo (550PS) (+25 PS powerkit)
Panamera Turbo S (600PS) (+25 PS powerkit)
911 Carrera, Carrera Cabriolet, Carrera 4, Carrera 4 Cabriolet, Targa 4 (400 PS)
911 Carrera S, Carrera S Cabriolet, Carrera 4S, Carrera 4S Cabriolet, Targa 4S (450 PS) (+25 PS powerkit)
911 GT3 (500 PS)
911 GT3 RS (550 PS) (in limited numbers)
911 Turbo, Turbo Cabriolet (550 PS) (+25 PS powerkit)
911 Turbo S, Turbo S Cabriolet (600 PS) (+25 PS powerkit)
911 GT2 (650 PS)
Carrera GT1 (800PS)
Sorry, this is just the schoolboy inside me daydreaming about performance figures
--
Rennteam Moderator - 997.1 C2S Coupe GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection
SciFrog:
Stop the special editions, but improve the car every year vs only at facelifts.
Bring back the CGT.
Produce more GT3 and RS, no stupid waiting list, Porsche is not Ferrari.
Get rid of Cayenne V6 and diesel.
Propose the TT S version and RS version much earlier in the cycle.
Forget hybrid, go pure electric.
Don't hold back hp increases (20 more hp on the 997.2 TT? 500hp for the top Panamera model?)
Split the panamera in two categories: a 5 seater and a 2+2 coupe.
Make many many more options standard (sport crono an option? Leather not standard in a 911? iPod and bluetooth? the list goes on) even if it means raising the price a little. This would do wonders for the Boxster.
At the same time propose more exclusive option even if they cost more.
thats exactly my action . .
"alfa corse"