Rendered speculation: Porsche's hot hatch? The ultimate GTI? What!?!
With impending European Union limits on carbon dioxide emissions, makers of high performance vehicles like Porsche have been scrambling to find a way to meet the new requirements (whatever they may be). One obvious way is to make smaller lighter cars, and German magazine AutoZeitung is reporting that Porsche will follow up the introduction of the Panamera sedan with small front-engined hatchback.It wouldn't be the first such configuration from Stuttgart, although it seems likely to be smaller than the old 924/944 lineup. The magazine is reporting that the new car will use a flat 6 from the Boxster/Cayman with all-wheel drive on a VW platform. That engine choice would preclude the Golf platform since the boxer engine wouldn't fit in the transverse engine layout. So if this comes to pass, a variation of the Audi A4 architecture is likely to underpin the new model.
Another more likely option might be to use the Golf platform with a variation of the the R32 drivetrain. This would certainly provide the necessary performance and it wouldn't be out of line with what Porsche did with the Cayenne. MotorAuthority has a rendering of what such a car might look like, and it's definitely better than what we've seen recently in spy photos of the Panamera. This car would definitely be a lot closer in spirit to what a Porsche should be.
[Source: MotorAuthority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jonathan Hicks 3:43PM (8/17/2007)
That does not make sense for Porsche to build a compact hatchback for thier product line because they do not need one. This is ridiculous.
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BartMack 1:53PM (8/17/2007)
I instantly thought of this:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/16/ebay-find-of-the-day-porsche-wagon/
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BartMack 1:57PM (8/17/2007)
... but I like it waaaaay more than the new WRX, that's for sure!!
Torqued 2:55PM (8/17/2007)
An artists rendition of a porsche is more attractive than a subaru impreza? Unbelievable! Who saw that coming! Brilliant comment, Bart!
BartMack 1:51PM (8/18/2007)
Although I do appreciate your deeply considered vote of sarcasm, seeing as how both VW and Audi are part of the same AG as Porsche and therefore not the competition, what car would YOU identify as the closest high performance hatchback competitor? MINI Cooper S JCW? Is Volvo even making a high performance C30? Hyundai Tiburon? BMW 1 series maybe, but that's Europe only, not the US. Perhaps you could put some focus on making your own comments a little more 'Brilliant'-?
Torqued 11:15PM (8/18/2007)
Sorry, my comment was a little pissier than it needed to be. I'm just getting sick on the "subaru's are ugly" comments even finding their way into non subaru threads.
To answer your question, there aren't many in the US. But I think you have to compare it to BMW, Mercedes, etc. The Subaru Impreza simply should never be compared to a Porsche anything.
BartMack 1:05AM (8/19/2007)
Hey, no problem. For a split second there I thought I had my very own online nemesis lol.
I suppose in part I was expressing my frustration with Subaru actually making the effort to produce a real performance car, which so many mfrs only half pretend to do, and then inexplicably missing every sleek stying cue known to man by the length of a football field. In other words, why the heck *doesn't* the new WRX look like this?? Yeah well it's a wierd world. It certainly could have IMO.
Anyway, Porsche will/would almost certainly pad the price if they ever built this by at least $20K putting it out of realistic reach of a normal person who would be inclined to buy a hot hatch, so it's probably all moot pointage.
Gus 2:06PM (8/17/2007)
Both a VW and an Audi platform would mean an engine ahead of the front axle.
This sounds highly unlikely, considering this is porsche we're talking about, who tend to err on the "exciting" side of the handling balance.
Even on the cayenne they made sure that weight distribution was as little forward as possible...
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rip 4:14PM (8/17/2007)
Not true at all. The new A5 platform, which will filter through Audi's line, positions the engine behind the front axle.
The A5 weight distribution is 54/46.
wushu 2:53PM (8/17/2007)
More Cayman models please, like a Cayman GT2 turbo, a lightweight racing Cayman GT3, not a hot hatch, for heaven's sake!
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Ben H. 3:02PM (8/17/2007)
Hot hatches for cheaper cars only!! I think adding this to the Porsche mix will devalue the Porsche name.
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Torqued 3:10PM (8/17/2007)
That's what they said about the Cayenne too.
Although I actually agree with you. Hot hatches just don't scream luxury to me. Of course I'd buy it if I had the money. :)
Ben H. 7:25PM (8/17/2007)
I love and have a hot hatch and I wouldn't buy this one. Never.
Steve D. 3:14PM (8/17/2007)
Could they be putting the W12TT Golf into production under a Porsche badge?
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B-NOIT 3:15PM (8/17/2007)
The so-called Porsche hot-hatch would indeed dilute the brand image, but they might as well keep going. They're off to a good start. ...Thing is, this rendering doesn't look like a Porsche. It's not instantly recognizable. Even the Cayenne looks like a Porsche.
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Ichiro 3:21PM (8/17/2007)
Corrado 2? :)
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enesson 3:36PM (8/17/2007)
excuse me while I puke
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enesson 3:38PM (8/17/2007)
please wake me up... this can't be real
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thesawzall 3:49PM (8/17/2007)
I like the idea, but honestly there are used Boxster's out there that go for pretty cheap. Why not get one of those instead and then a boring family sedan or hatchback for when you need the space?
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geo.stewart 3:51PM (8/17/2007)
not buying the 295hp version of the engine in it either. It might not trounce the 911 but...
And yeah, while some of the luxo- companies sell a hatch its on the lower/entry end.
I'm not buying a $35K Porsche hatch that has 300hp...
I would buy one yes, I dont believe Porsche is going to sell one.
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