Autoblog

More details leak out about Porsche's reported plan for entry level model

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Performance, Porsche, Volkswagen

Remember the Porsche 914? Most Porschophiles do, although some choose to forget the mid-engined sportscar built from 1969 through 1976. But the four-cylinder model was something of a sales success for the German automaker, handily outpacing the firm's range-topping 911 series throughout its model run. Might we see a return of the entry-level Porsche, once again with a little help from Volkswagen?

Coinciding with earlier reports, a story from Automobilwoche (via Drive), says the answer may very well be 'yes.' According to the German pub, Wolfgang Duerheimer, head of development at Porsche, has said that a model "significantly cheaper than" the Boxster is a top priority for the automaker. The new car would reportedly be produced in cooperation with Volkswagen, which recently assimilated Porsche into its giant European operations. Anyone else thinking BlueSport?

[Source: Automobilwoche via drive.com.au | Photo: Spurzem CC.2.0]

More details leak out about Porsche's reported plan for entry level model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Porsche considering 914 revival

Noah Joseph — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Porsche, Volkswagen

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]

REPORT: Porsche considering 914 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen

Click either image for a high-res gallery.

Over the past five years, Volkswagen has continued to tease us with sports car concepts that never seem to come to fruition. Back in 2003, VW unveiled the Concept R in Frankfurt to critical acclaim and two years later, the wraps came off the EcoRacer, proving that the automaker was still kicking around the idea of a lightweight, affordable roadster for the masses.

In the interim, VW had two similar concepts that never left the studio, but when the Los Angeles Auto Show rolls along later this year, a new mid-engine coupe will be revealed, and this one actually has a shot at production.

According to Autocar, this newest concept aims to be a budget alternative to the Lotus Elise, balancing performance and fuel economy in a low-cost package. Sources suggest that the coupe will feature either a 168 hp, 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine or a 125 hp, 1.6-liter TDI mounted amidships and sending power to the rear wheels via a seven speed DSG gearbox. If and when the production version debuts in 2011, the coupe's curb weight is pegged at just over 2,200 pounds, allowing it to run to 60 in under seven seconds while still returning over 55 mpg.

If the project is given the green light, the same architecture that underpins the VW variant could form he basis for the oft-rumored and continually denied Audi R4. And with Porsche's stake in V-Dub, that means a 914 successor is just a badge and prayer away.

Gallery: Volkswagen Concept R

Gallery: Volkswagen EcoRacer

[Source: Autocar]

Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RR of the Day: LS6-powered Porsche 914

John Neff — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, RR of the Day

Well, unfortunately we quickly ran out of useable Camaro submissions to continue our theme this week, so we were forced to dig into the Autoblog Flickr pool and find something else suitable to show off today. We think we did a good job with this LS6-powered Porsche 914. Taking a tiny car and stuffing a modern-day small-block V8 producing 500+ horsepower into its engine bay is a recipe for mechanical mayhem. This 914, submitted by Flickr member wotan2525 on behalf of his friend, is the result of a seven-year long project with most of the work being performed by its owner save for the paint and some engine work. Aside from the Chevy-sourced V8, many of the parts on the 914 come from other Porsches, particularly the brakes, suspension, LSD and gearing that have been lifted from a 930. Those 18-inch wheels stuffed beneath the low bodywork were donated by a type-993 911 Carrera. The owner reportedly uses it primarily for autocrossing, though it has been clocked doing the quarter mile in 11.44 seconds on street tires and could theoretically reach 200 mph if opened up. Plenty more pictures of LS6-powered 914 can be found after the jump.

We're still willing to continue our Camaro theme this week if more submissions come pouring in, but if not we have no problem dipping deeper into the pool to find something special for you. Follow the jump to find out how to submit your vehicle for our RR of the Day feature.

Continue reading RR of the Day: LS6-powered Porsche 914

RR of the Day: LS6-powered Porsche 914 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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