Oklahoma-based Newell Coach Corp's latest motorhome, the P2000i, sells for over a million dollars. It's built on a special-made chassis and is powered by a 600-hp turbodiesel. Once parked, four sections expand outwards to maximize interior space. It's said to be one of the most luxurious motorhomes on the market, a favorite of car dealers, businessmen and race car drivers.
So what does this have to do with Porsche, you wonder? Newell contracted Porsche Engineering, the German sportscar maker's consultancy arm, to help modernize the P2000i. With a custom suspension? Nope, that was done by ZF (commonly know for their transmissions). Did Porsche have some hand in the engine, then? Wrong again, that's made by Caterpillar (as far as they get from making sportscars, Porsche hasn't started producing diesels just yet). Maybe a Tiptronic transmission? No, the tranny comes from Allison. Porsche's contribution was the redesigned front end, with Xenon headlamps and "European" styling. (Yeah, that's it.)
Newell has a dealer network to sell its motorhomes, but you can purchase one directly from the factory if you prefer (and have a million bucks to blow on an RV). Newell builds about 40 a year, and each one takes about 10 months to build.
[Source: Automotive News - sub.req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash Machado @ Nov 7th 2006 12:29PM
If it cannot corner like a Porsche it is not a Porsche.
james @ Nov 7th 2006 12:46PM
Didn't Hyundai work with Porsche on the suspension of the Tiburon when it came out? I may be wrong, but I remember them working with someone in Europe on the suspension. Would that make the Tiburon an entry level Porsche?
James
pier @ Nov 7th 2006 12:51PM
Le podrían haber dado mas apariencia de porsche igual esta bueno, me gustaria ver mas fotos
Keith @ Nov 7th 2006 12:53PM
Porsche does a LOT of work with other car companies for engines, suspensions, etc. - kinda like Lotus.
I am sure people here know more about this than I do.
M. @ Nov 7th 2006 1:11PM
Porsche already made lots of Diesels!
http://www.home-of-porsche-diesel.de/
Phil L. @ Nov 7th 2006 1:11PM
Yes, Porsche does lots of work for other folks. They even had a hand in the design of the 2.5l Duratec V6 in my Ford Contour. That doesn't make it a Porsche motor - but at 6K+ RPM shifts, the engine has a German sewing machine quality about it: Lots of complicated parts, smoothly working together.
nist @ Nov 7th 2006 1:24PM
The Ferrari F40 used Japanese-made turbochargers. Does that make it a superricer?
The Ford Taurus SHO engine was made by Yamaha, does that make it a four-wheel YZF-R1?
Ultima GTRs use Chevrolet engines, does that make it a mid-engined Corvette?
One of the engineers who worked for Honda to develop the original VTEC system later helped Chrysler to make the V10 in the Dodge Viper, does that make the Viper a front-engined NSX?
I3ziko @ Nov 7th 2006 1:47PM
porsche helped developing engines for Lada Samera back in the 1990s
Jon @ Nov 7th 2006 1:58PM
You do realize that a good majority of Porsche revenue comes from their engineering consulting?
Fred Flintstone @ Nov 7th 2006 2:27PM
Let us not forget that Porsche designed the engine for Harley Davidson's V-Rod motorcycle.
M. @ Nov 7th 2006 3:11PM
@6: Porsche even developed the Lada Samara's OHC engine back in the early 80s. And Harley Davidsons new engine was also co-developed with the guys from Zuffenhausen.
Phil @ Nov 7th 2006 4:10PM
i think its funny that autoblog mentions "a favorite of car dealers" because im part of a family that runs a chain of car dealerships, and the entire family owns a total of 3 motor homes, 2 of which are 1 million $ or more. and i can tell you they are almost never used.
i don't actually see the connection between a car dealership and owning a motor home, but i do think there must be one.
MikeW @ Nov 7th 2006 7:27PM
It needs 1000hp. Then it might be 'porsche-like'
JP Dane-Castro @ Nov 7th 2006 11:15PM
This motorhome has 4 wheel steering believe it or not. The rear tag axle wheel pivots A LOT. I couldn't believe how much it pivots when I first saw it.
I have been in Newell's and they really are one of the best. They don't have handles on their cabinets, you push them in a little and they pop out so you can open them. It gives the whole interior a smooth look.