Filed under: Hatchbacks, Porsche, Volkswagen, Rendered Speculation
Porsche developing its own Golf-based entry model?
If Porsches are good, more Porsches are better, especially if it means Stuttgart's model range will expand downward. Rumors are swirling that Porsche is working on its own version of Volkswagen's Golf/Rabbit, which may be an opening salvo in a Porsche assault on BMW's slice of the pie with its 1 Series. An über-bunny above the R32 is certainly appealing, but we hope the styling smoothes some from from the melty rendering. There's potential there, but it could turn ugly fast like the Panamera four-door "coupe". Auto Bild is usually pretty close to the mark, however, so it wouldn't be surprising to see this very vehicle sometime around 2012. We're going to guess that most people will just see its taillights. [Source: Motive Mag]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ML 10:36AM (6/06/2008)
Now THIS is a good-looking small car. If Porsche can design a vehicle that looks like this, why can't they make the 911 look as good?
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EvenSteven 10:50AM (6/06/2008)
to each his own but on budy. That thing is no Porsche. The 911 is a beautifull beast and that thing is a Rabbit with some new duds. Please dont make that turd. Why not a new 944? That was an entry level Porsche that looked good. Still holds up today. I always had a soft spot for the 944 even though it wasnt anything special.
tekdemon 3:27AM (6/07/2008)
EvenSteven, since all porsches are more or less descended from the same VW Beetle-style design I don't see what's wrong with basing a new Porsche model off of a VW model-they both draw from the design lineage of Ferdinand Porsche.
Just be glad that they didn't base it on the new beetle, lol.
psarhjinian 10:39AM (6/06/2008)
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why Porsche can say they'll "try to meet CAFE" and Lamborghini won't: because Lambo isn't quite so arrogant to think that people would buy a Rabbit with a Gallardo nosejob.
"We won't compromise our brand" indeed. Sure, My. Cayenne.
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Avinash machado 10:47AM (6/06/2008)
Ironically Porsche and Lamborghini are now part of the same group. Lamborghini is owned by the VW Audi group which in turn is part owned by Porsche.
Val 11:07AM (6/06/2008)
A sleeker Golf?!? Wasn't that the idea of the Scirocco? The TT is also based on that platform, why would porsche want to step on their own toes? They won't sway any buyers from BMW (if that is their intent), most likely just from VW and Audi... Want a faster golf, just get an S3 or R32 or something, this thing up there is plain wrong.
geo.stewart 10:39AM (6/06/2008)
wrong move. VW/Audi/ Porsche will be turning into GM with the badge engineering before long.
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Alex 9:02AM (6/07/2008)
Benefactors: M-B AMG, BMW M, Nissan GT-R et al.
With the further dilution of Porsche with vehicles like this, the halo of their brand will dim significantly.
With the brand no longer carrying the value quotient, even superficial people will start cross-shopping 911's against GT-R, AMG and M models.
Steveboss 10:42AM (6/06/2008)
As an owner of a Corrado Slc, and a Mkiv R32 the idea sounds really appealing to me , at the risk of possibly further diluting an awesome name sake.
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300Kid 10:44AM (6/06/2008)
Oh I would KILL to have them bring back the 924/944/968!
A good turbo 4 w/say 250ish hp would be just fine, thank you.
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Austin 10:48AM (6/06/2008)
A FWD Porshe, what the heck are they thinking!!
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EvenSteven 10:52AM (6/06/2008)
I can handle the FWD to an extent but Porshe can not in any way claim a hatchbac. Please the 944 was sweet but this is no 944.
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MemphisNET 11:43AM (6/06/2008)
Agreed. FWD is fine for the everyday... but a world-class sports car? ... eek
YourNameHere 11:01AM (6/06/2008)
i would rather them build an all out elise fighter. maybe the VW 2.0T would be a good candidate for that.
These renderings are extremely easy to do in photoshop so i wouldn't put to much effort into worrying about it. with that said...if its FWD i will lose all respect for Porsche which is hands down my favorite marque
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BigMcLargeHuge 11:02AM (6/06/2008)
If its a step above the R32 as they say above, it might be AWD.
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Eek 11:07AM (6/06/2008)
A front wheel drive, hatchback Porsche. Ugh.
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Kotse 11:10AM (6/06/2008)
VW/Audi and Porsche were at it since the 914 days of yore...it's all in the "family".
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Kotse 12:12PM (6/06/2008)
I've read/heard the same thumbs down reaction prior to the Cayenne's release...what happened then? Was it a seller?...Prior to the $4/gal era, it was though...
When reality kicks in...this would sell eventually (if brought to market).
ML 11:10AM (6/06/2008)
People, please(!). Porsche is obviously looking for a way to meet the more stringent CAFE rules, and building an 'economy' car (not another sports car like the 914 or 944) is about the only way they're going to be able to do it. It will also broaden their market appeal to cover more ground than just high-end sports cars and SUVs. If Porsche can bring class/quality to a line of cars that will compete with the Rabbit, more power to them. If it comes to the U.S., we'll finally be able to buy a small economy car that'll have a great image, great name, and (hopefully) will keep its resale value more than its competition. It's the car that VW faithful wanted in the Scirocco, but VW will not sell here.
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Mobius_1 11:13AM (6/06/2008)
No. Just No. There is nothing wrong with the S3 and a baby-Porsche will further dilute this brand. How about making a Cayman Turbo? I would so want that
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