Are you sure about the "718" name?
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that number already has been used for a car, derived from the 550 somewhere in the 1960's....
Regarding the question if it is a bad thing for Porsche, i don't think so. Porsche is nothing more than just a German car manufacturer that mass-produces premium cars. Just like BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Yes the 911 has its myth, but that's become a little over-vauluated over the years I think. Porsche has never been like Ferrari or Lamborghini and it never will be. The 911 is just a very nice sportscar, which is unique because of it's rear engined layout and because its base design happened to be timeless. So is a Fiat 500, Beetle or a Mini.... Not so special as some people want to make us believe.
I absolutely love Porsche, but not because it's so special and unique (it isn't), but just because I generally like the cars they make. I don't see the difference with 35 or so years ago when they introduced the 924 and later the 944. Those were also entry lever sportscars. Porsche is jumping into a market where there's only one competitor at the moment, the Mazda Miata (MX-5) and that's not a bad thing IMHO. If there is one brand that can build true roadsters, then it's Porsche. See Boxster.....
--
Suzy
2013 Porsche Boxster S (MT) | Basalt black metallic
2014 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 BiTDI Quattro | Moonshine blue metallic