Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Porsche, Volkswagen
REPORT: Porsche considering 914 revival
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Porsche 914
Once every 40 years or so, when the stars are aligned just right, there arises the cosmic possibility for Volkswagen and Porsche to collaborate on a small sportscar. The stars in question seem to be Porsche chairman Dr. Ferdinand Piech, a spirit of takeover cooperation between the two German automakers, and the input of third-party contractor Karmann. It was Dr. Piech, the same man who has been driving Porsche's takeover of the Volkswagen group, who had ushered the original Porsche 914 into reality. But when Volkswagen launches its latest concept at the LA Auto Show this November, it hopes the little Elise fighter will garner enough attention to put the project into production as soon as 2011 with versions for both VW and Porsche.
The original Porsche 914 was based largely on borrowed Volkswagen mechanicals. Karmann was also heavily involved in the 914 project, and could be tapped once again to build the new sportscar for both Volkswagen and Porsche, with the project potentially spawning an Audi R4, as well. Although some sources suggest the Porsche version could adopt the 2.7-liter flat six from the base Boxster, with Zuffenhausen admittedly considering the possibility of going back to four-cylinder engines, anything's possible. Sources point out, however, that the four-cylinder version of the 914 was the top selling model. While you consider the idea of a budget Porsche, check out the high-resolution images of original 914 images in the gallery below.
Gallery: Porsche 914
[Source: Motor Trend via PistonHeads]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
JZeke 10:34AM (9/11/2008)
I was saving for either an Elise or a Boxster! Thanks Porsche, when my savings are ready, I know what I will be buying... if you make it.
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No Welfare for GM 11:04AM (9/11/2008)
I think it will all depend oh the price. If this car is priced the same way BMW 1 series is priced it may fail. 1-series is priced too close to the 3 series.
I believe Boxter starts at about 45K, so this new Porsche would have to be in mid 30, and when fully loaded at 40K.
Geeky1 12:02PM (9/11/2008)
A Porsche that tops out at $40k when the base price is in the mid 30s? You can't be serious. Don't get me wrong; I love Porsches (yes, even the Cayenne), but I just don't see that happening. If Porsche could figure out how to make the new car smell optional, they would. And they'd slap a $3500 tag on it if you wanted it. I mean, I just configured a base Cayman-$49,400 msrp-with $40,100 in options. And no, I didn't check EVERY box.
They may price the car at $35k to start with, but I'm sure you'll be able to double that price with options if you wanted to.
JZeke 12:12PM (9/11/2008)
That will make it an interesting alternative (at least for my garage) to a 128i, or hopefully a DI 120i.
Options will be the one thing to avoid on this car, even though Porsche will go to great lengths to make them highly desirable. Loaded Caymans easily can surpass base 911s, so I'd expect a loaded 914 to top 50-55k. Ouch!
troy 2:26AM (9/12/2008)
Why wait?
Just get a used 05 Elise now for 30k and enjoy life more than you've ever dreamed - do it now before the Republicans muck everything up even more than they're doing now!
Steve C 10:39AM (9/11/2008)
I remember in 1970 I test drove a 914 from the Porsche dealer and all the salesman could talk about was how great the Datsun 240Z was. Strange.
My opinion was, sure the 240Z had more power but the 914 drove great. The handling was fantastic compared to the 240Z. I'm sure Porsche can do it again and produce a sports car for the times that gets great fuel mileage.
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71cuda 10:39AM (9/11/2008)
I see that this is Porsche day so far. I can understand 911 news, but 914 news should be pushed back three days to properly align the dates.
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Lou 10:43AM (9/11/2008)
This has huge potential. I always loved 914s. Especially track versions. They are giant killers. How close can they remain to the original? How competitively can it be priced? I expect it will provide a Porsche driving experience.
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Torrent 10:43AM (9/11/2008)
What is it- like Porsche Day?
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Lou 10:50AM (9/11/2008)
Why not? It is better than Volt day or what other part of the upcoming Mustang will be revealed. I am thinking of starting a jigsaw puzzle on the Mustang though!
BoxerFanatic 10:47AM (9/11/2008)
If they can make it look better than the 914 did, but mechanically similar, but updated...
With a DI flat four or optional flat 6, and well below $40k...
I'd bite. I've been waiting for a Subaru sports car, Porsche is even better.
The question is, what would it do to the Cayman and Boxster? would it be a variant, would it be an additional separate model, would the pricing be different, and significantly lower? What compromises would be made on an inexpensive Porsche?
Would it handle, feel, or have the electrical reliability of a VW? (that could be a minus, maybe.)
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Lou 11:00AM (9/11/2008)
914s actually had a variation called the 916 which was lower and had fender arches and aero enhancements. They factory actually gave Ferry Porsche one as a gift fitted with the flat eight from the 908 race car. 2000 lb car with 370hp mounted mid ship...sweet!!!! This was quite a nice looking machine to boot.
Analog Kid 12:03PM (9/11/2008)
@ Lou: I just want to keep this little bit of Porsche history straight. The 916 actually had a Flat-6 from the '72 911s with 190bhp.
http://autoatlanta.com/Life/rt_916/rt_916.pdf
11 of these cars were produced
There were two 914/8 prototypes produced in 1969. These had the Flat-8 from the 908 race car. The one presented to Piech had 260hp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_914#Follow_On_Prototypes
Analog Kid 12:06PM (9/11/2008)
And I screw it up by typing Piech instead of Ferry Porsche. This is why I should not be checking AB while I am at work!
Lou 1:26PM (9/11/2008)
@ Analog, did not realize the 8 was detuned from 908 usage, but it would make sense for street use. That motor won the Targa Florio and Nurburgring outright and I also believe Daytona.
Isuzu32 10:49AM (9/11/2008)
Connect Four! 4 Porsche stories in a row, even if one was about a toaster.
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jh00d08 11:06AM (9/11/2008)
I feel odd after reading the comments.
Personally this is one of the only cars from Porsche which has a design that I loathed, especially after obsessively play NFS Porsche Unleashed.
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Red 11:16AM (9/11/2008)
VW ----------> Miata competitor
Audi ---------> Elise competitor
Porsche------> Evora?
I'm not sure how it works out for Porsche in that respect, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. For me, anyway :D.
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Stumpy 11:35AM (9/11/2008)
I would love a high reving 4 banger little Porsche. Something to zip around town in, with lightweight and great handling.
I am sure it would be just under $40,000. Which is still a little rich for my taste, but atleast I have a chance at owning a new Porsche...
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AZMike 11:44AM (9/11/2008)
oh please tell me Porsche wouldn't be stupid enough to bring something this awful back again.
when this car was introduced in the US market in 1970, it hit with a dull thud. the four cylinder model had a base price of about $3500, with the 914-6 being considerably more.
what isn't mentioned is the awful interior, which had a board-flat bench-style seat, and the car's propensity to catch fire. it was replaced with the 924, which wasn't much better. these two cars really hurt Porsche's reputation in many markets.
think of the 914 as the Porsche version of the early Cadillac Cimarron.
AZMike
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