Porsche Minivan

I'm not dreaming. It's a prototype, and they call it the "Varrera." It's not a joke.

Or at least, that's what I keep telling myself.
http://www.theautobahn.com/porsche/models/prototype/varrera/


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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe
http://members.rennlist.com/jackolsen/Jalopy.html

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 07-09-2000).]

The world has come to an end.

Is that why it's got the 17 inch C-2 wheels on it? (that were last used years ago...)

If you look at the article, you'll see that it WAS a prototype back in 95...

Now tell me you're not happy that they're building the SUV instead of the minivan.

I consider myself a pretty supportive fan/admirer of Porsche, and do NOT see anything wrong with Porsche building SUVs, vans, whatever. The way I see it, if this is going to make them more money, (that will be used to better their sports cars) than all is good. Look at honda, toyota, nissan... so on, most honda's suck, but the NSX is still an outstanding, very focused sports car, just like most toyota's suck, and the supra twin turbo is undeniably a marvelous, awesome sports car, ditto for the Nissan, the 300zx twin turbo is a very outstanding fast sports car, though a little more of a cruizer, but hey, they make the SKYLINE! Now that's got to be a very understated, and very fast car, and arguably even more hardcore than the 911... Need more, take Chevy, they make anything from minivans to utility vans, SUVs, sedans, and everything in between... But the Corvette still kicks A$$! Is chevy having built the SUBURBAN hurt the vette at all? Not if you ask me...

Anyway, I suppose you get my point by now, if Porsche keeps bettering their sports cars, I don't have a problem, they're just loosing their "exclusivity", or easing up on their "image". But then again, in my honest opinion, if you drive the 911, and put up with it for the prestige, and not the pure joy of driving it, than I (maybe I should say the Porsche people) wouldn't miss you...

I'll add that I'm merely expressing my opinion, and what you've just read was just that, not one bit more.

All that said, no I don't like the fact they're building the SUV either!
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

JackOlsen, I went to your site, and it doesn't look bad at all, (the script appears on the left, and the pictures are a bit far down to the right, I couldn't tell for sure if that's what you intended...) And I love the way your car looks, I mean that!

Anyway, told you I'd try out the videos after I got the DSL, well I did, (had it tested, says at least 46 times as fast as 56k), it took me about 3 min to download the first lap, however when I try to play the file, I get the following message from windows media player: "Unable to download an appropriate decompressor." Than after an attempt to play it again, I can hear the song in the background! Unfortunately no video, and this message: "The file format is invalid." And microsoft's help site gives the following "advice!": The decompressor, a file that enables you to play multimedia content and should have installed automatically, failed to install. (Error=80040200)". I can try it from a different location with a T1 connection if you like.

And once again, and I really do mean this, I LOVE your car! (hope you get the videos up)
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

Okay, so let them build SUV's and minivans. But at least bring back the factory racing team!

Ahmet: Go get Quicktime. You need that to watch the videos.

Jack, those *are* awesome vids! Very exciting!

I thank god they chose to build the SUV instead of that POS minivan. If there was ever an idea that could do harm to the Porsche marque, it would be a minivan. Problem is, that's where the dough is nowadays: thirty-something couples with a couple of kids who are too "practical" to buy a real sports car! Mom needs something to haul the kids around in, Dad needs something to assauge his fading libido...the SUV is a cash cow that Porsche can jump into. Can you imagine Lexus or Mercedes continuing to make an SUV? This is a fad that, like Econoline vans used for recreation, will fade happily into memory like Pet Rocks™ and Cabbage Patch Kids™.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2

Hey thanks! I downloaded quicktime, and now I can see the video, it took me about a minute to download it this time, but I'm really overtaxing the computer now! I shall get a new PC by the end of summer! (for school ). Anyway, I see roughly 25 frames, instead of a smooth flowing video. I assume that's from my end of the equation. Well, it's not to hard to make out what was happenning, and it's awesome! The guy's been driving this car for two days, and it's his first day on the track! Wow! Look out for me on the 16th, that'll be my first time, maybe I can borrow a camera from a bud too? How do you get it on the computer again? Do I need special graphics cards?

Oh, about the minivan, yes, I don't LIKE the fact that they even considered it, and I'm definately against SUVs in general, (%95 of owners don't need/use them for what they're built, or at least marketed/capable of doing!) And certainly I'd like to see Porsche back in factory backed racing!

Thanks again!
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

I don't like the idea of a minivan OR an SUV, but in a way, I think a minivan would actually be BETTER than the SUV. Why? Because it is the right tool for 95% of people that buy SUV's! In California, for example, where tons of SUV's are sold, I'd guess that MAYBE 2% of them actually go offroad (the number is probably way, way less than that, probably a fraction of a percent). So, all the great 4 wheel drive technology is just wasted (yeah, it does rain, but a 2WD car will brake just as well as a 4WD car, and will corner about the same, its really only accelerating under really slippery conditions that 4WD comes into usefulness). People basically use 4WD SUVs as minivans, but minivans are actually better suited for general people moving, because they have a lower CG, have more headroom, more interior room, a better ride and handle more "car-like." The only thing a minivan lacks is "machismo" or image. But, isn't Porsche famous for "function over form?" SUV's, for the vast majority of purchasers, are just the opposite, they are form over function. (again, for MOST, not all, people)

I understand that Porsche wants a piece of the minivan/SUV action, but they should not be badged as "Porsche". They should come up with a second tier brand name for these, and keep the Porsche name exclusive. Maybe the trucks should be badged as "Porsche Design", or they could all carry a large badge with the name of the vehicle, Varrera or whatever, with the words "by Porsche" in small letters underneath.

Lets face it, the new cars are great, but they are getting too similar to the mainstream cars from every other carmaker, especially the interiors. The 996 doorpanels, for example, remind me of my dad's Taurus. The trucks will be another step in this direction. I say keep Porsche weird, quirky and exiting.

Ever since the 74 to 89 run of 911's don't you think Porsche is crapping out? 964 run for 4 years, 993 5 years, 996, who cares? Does anyone really care what there making next. Face it, the 911 has gone in a new direction and I'm not interested. The only real consideration is the Boxster, but does EVERYBODY want a ragtop? Let them make SUV's, vans, whatever. Maybe you should check out the 300 hp M3 coming out soon. I know its not Porsche, but its German, a coupe, rear wheel drive and meant for ass kicking performance. Maybe its no coincidence that more an more driving instructors are driving M3's along with older 911's.

I will have to admit I agree with Eddie, just didn't want to post that, my usual posts are "strange" enough already!

Hmm, what else is Porsche working on? Anybody know about the 980? It's due on 2003 with a ~700hp engine, light body, mid engine...

It looks so far as if they're headed in the right direction.

As hard as it might be for you all to admit it, ever since the original family has left the control to outsiders, Porsche has been in the market to make Money, and MONEY only.

I will have to admit I agree with Eddie, just didn't want to post that, my usual posts are "strange" enough already!

Hmm, what else is Porsche working on? Anybody know about the 980? It's due on 2003 with a ~700hp engine, light body, mid engine...

It looks so far as if they're headed in the right direction.

As hard as it might be for you all to admit it, ever since the original family has left the control to outsiders, Porsche has been in the market to make Money, and MONEY only. If they can get more customers with the way they're headed than what they've been doing, guess what, that's what they will pursue! As long as they race, and make their road going cars "better", I do not have a problem.

Modern cars are bland, that's a fact, and it's quite hard to do so otherwise. When Porsche designed the door panel, they had to consider the wind resistance, side impact protection, storage at the warehouse (one on top of the other, you can't really have a sculptured door panel, or it'll take substentially more space), and we want the cars cheap? It ain't gonna happen. The boxter S is higly charismatic (IMO), very agile, fun to drive, relatively affordable car, with a character! Hard to admit, but after I drove one, I still like Porsche! Specially the emphasis they're still giving on brakes! Power was good, but then again I don't recall a base boxter, so don't have anything to compare it to...

Anyway, I'm sure this'll pass as soon as some more outstanding supercars are made by Porsche, if that does happen. Look out for the 980...
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

I'll admit, the 980 looks more encouraging.



Although I still wish they'd let go of the silly-looking, eyes-watering-up headlights.

How great would this design look with simple, round headlights?

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 07-12-2000).]

It says here in this week's Autosport magazine that Porsche may race the 980. Apparently the only problem is that the car has a carbon fiber chassis, which basically outlaws it from FIA GT races and Le Mans. Porsche has a long and proud history of finding loopholes and bending rules, so who knows, maybe someone will finally put those Vipers in their place...