At the 1977 Geneva Auto Show, Porsche introduced the world to the 928, a – gasp – front-engine GT car that would compete with some of the great touring cars of its day. The portly Porsche achieved limited popularity over its 17-year run, but served as a sign of things to come when the Cayenne was introduced seven years later. Porschophiles the world over decried this latest offering as another bastard product that would water down the heritage of the automaker. No matter how much profit may have been generated by the Cayenne, or the Boxster for that matter, respect from Porsche's die-hard fanatics waned.
Fast-forward to 2006 and the controversy of Porsche's ever-expanding line-up comes to the fore again, this time in the form of the four-door Panamera. The new FR platform will allow Porsche to compete with other German manufacturers in the burgeoning $100k+ sedan market and also allows the automaker to resurrect the 928 moniker by shortening the wheelbase and lopping off its rear doors. Porsche wants a dog in the most prestigious of fights and in the realm of the high-price GT, stiff competition from BMW's M6, Merc's CL (now with AMG muscle), Aston Martin's DB9 and Jag's XKR proves that the market exists.
Car and Driver has put together what limited information is available about Porsche's new GT to come up with the above rendering and some technical speculation. As mentioned previously, both the Panamera and the 928 will share a platform, with the GT expected to share approximately 60 percent of the sedan's parts. A shorter wheelbase, coupled with a stiffer, multi-link suspension setup and the loss of a few pounds should lend a great deal to the 928's sporting pretenses. Motivation will come from a NA V8, producing upwards of 350 HP, with the option of cannibalizing the Cayenne's twin-turbo V8, making well over 500 HP and placing M.B.'s and BMW's high-po offerings directly in its sights. Gear selection will be similar to what's offered in the Panamera, with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox channeling power.
Pricing is expected to begin just above the 911's $90k, then head due north towards the mid-$100,000 market. If all goes according to plan, Porsche will debut the 928 sometime in 2011, with sales beginning the following year.
[Source: Car and Driver]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jumper @ Oct 16th 2006 8:44AM
for shure this one was a great car!
Don T. @ Oct 16th 2006 8:46AM
Porsche: Build the car excatly the way it looks here! That is one sweet looking machine.
MikeInNC @ Oct 16th 2006 8:50AM
You see, if a 928 looked like that, they would sell like (very expensive) hotcakes. Beautiful rendering.
Dan @ Oct 16th 2006 8:58AM
This is Chrysler Firepower with Porsche front grille.
sb @ Oct 16th 2006 9:04AM
Huh? Ferrari in Porsche badge?
SkyMan @ Oct 16th 2006 9:14AM
What a beautiful car!!
Jason_801 @ Oct 16th 2006 9:15AM
Yeeeeeaaah it's exactly like a Chrysler.
...
If you say so, Dan.
Seabass @ Oct 16th 2006 9:16AM
As long as Porsche will make the 911, they can add as many stablemates as they see fit. And in this case, a very fine example of a GT tourer that will put BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar back in their place. Maybe Ferrari too.
Audidriver @ Oct 16th 2006 9:30AM
Does this look like a blatant copy of the Peugeot 907 concept to anyone else? It just seems to me like every line on that car is drawn straight from the Peugeot. Not to say Porsche would copy Peugeot, but maybe the photoshop artist who came up with this one was a little lazy?
http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/peugeot_907.asp
Leo @ Oct 16th 2006 9:36AM
in the given pic above: looks like a Porsche front end on the current Jaguar XK coupe
the rear end thou does look like an ugly Porsche always does (after you see all the pics)
don't build this - Porsche soon to become a mainstream vehicle, where is the prestige in owning one anymore, they are disolving the brand by growing so much
rwdmtparkingonly @ Oct 16th 2006 9:42AM
#7, don't be so stupid, you can't mock someone for comparing a Chysler to a Porshe if you don't know enough about cars to know what Chysler the person is referring to.
Dan is correct; past the front clip this rendering looks a lot like the Firepower (http://www.tuningnews.net/news/050109/chrysler-firepower-01.jpg).
Ann @ Oct 16th 2006 9:48AM
some lazy shmuck slapped porsche front end on chrysler firepower. http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/firepower.html
pd @ Oct 16th 2006 9:54AM
They need to get this to market sooner than 2011. Always a big fan of the 928, just keep the weight in check, and this car would dominate this segment.
Jason_801 @ Oct 16th 2006 10:20AM
rwdmtparkingonly, go back to school and learn to read.
He didn't say it LOOKED like a Chrysler, he said "This is Chrysler Firepower with Porsche front grille." Do you know what IS means? This would indicate he's making a reference to similarity beyond purely visual.
Please don't call people stupid when saying stupid things, thanks.
Now then, turn off the PC and get ready for the bus, Reading Comprehension Basics starts soon and you don't want to be late.
Alex @ Oct 16th 2006 10:37AM
OK, looks like I'm the only one here who finds this car both ugly and pointless.
Having driven the original 928, I was amazed at how unrefined and bulky that car felt.
duderino @ Oct 16th 2006 11:04AM
this is enough im sick of this im selling my 911
rwdmtparkingonly @ Oct 16th 2006 11:14AM
#14, Jason_801, learn to read in context. I, like everyone else here, knew that Dan was only referring to visual appearance when he said "This is [a] Chrysler Firepower with [a] Porsche front grille." You were the only one stupid enough to think that he was referring to something beyond appearance.
What's next from you, jackass, someone commenting that a particular car is a "stupid f*cking car" and you replying that the car is actually unable to have intercourse.
I actually gave you too much credit by presuming that you were mocking Dan for saying that this looks like a Firepower, when you're actually such a sad looser that you were mocking him for his use of the word "is."
losburritos @ Oct 16th 2006 11:15AM
No. This looks nothing like the Peugeot 907, Chrysler Firepower, or a Jag. It does seem to resemble a Ferrari-like shape but it's jus a photoshopped image so cmon. Otherwise, the 928 was the most beautiful Porsche IMO. Tried buying one a while back but the seller was very shifty with his "cash-only" demand. Could be stolen.
Porsche. Screw the Panamera or whatever it's called and make this one. MBs, BMWs, Celicas, and Supras have a new challenger.
whofan @ Oct 16th 2006 11:22AM
The Chrysler Firepower looked like crap so stop writing about it. And so is Jason_801.
Dan @ Oct 16th 2006 11:23AM
Gentlemen, there is no need to argue. When I said this photochop is a Chrysler Firepower, I was obviously referring to its looks, because there is nothing else to refer to at this moment. Obviously Porsche does not sell modified Chryslers and Porsche is in a different class when it comes to quality. Nevertheless, I stand by my statement that this drawing started with Chrysler Firepower and it still is less interesting than it. At the same time though, Firepower's rear end seems inspired by the old 928; if anything, ideas are flowing in both ways.
photos with Chrysler Firepower:
http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2005-Chrysler-Firepower-Concept.htm
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?article_id=2349§ion_id=9