"Time running out on the development of the 911..."

[RSTarga]

8 cyl mid engine same basic body is my bet

[juicersr]

"Does dis schtie make me look like a flaming Dumkoph, Weideking???'

Full interview here from Drivers Republic http://www.drivers-republic.com/first_look/news/details.cfm?articleid=1a74aea7d0c540f6a71412c7eb72 f2dc&page=1

"WD: A little bit of a business background to this answer. The 911 is the backbone of our racing department but is also the backbone of the company and it defines Porsche. It also has the highest price level and the highest margins, and we like this situation and we want to keep it in the future. For that reason we keep the 911 as the basis of our racing programme. Yes the Cayman has enormous potential (sic) - it would make a very fast lap time, but we won’t do it because it would double our work in the racing department, and we have only 135 people running the whole GT road car programme and the factory race programme."

OF Course, any mention of racing must be prefaced by business.

Helllloooo, McFly!!!!! Have u taken a look at race results from anywhere but your desk?? Do u even know the way to the Weissach test track any more than Weedking does??

God forbid that one of the most PROFITABLE car companies on the planet (that would not even exist except for motor racing) should actually have to put more money into it's currently emasculated program.

Without some serious redevelopment and R/D, which the company formerly known as 'Porsche' doesnt seem likely to give it, the 911 looks to become less and less competitive.

The tone of the article confirms that the testosterone has finally left Stuttgart altogether:

WD "Maybe we don’t need cars that go beyond 300km/h?"

How did it come to this?

Ok, i am going to drive home from work in the morning in my 550hp 930, and i will feel much better.

[efhughes3]

I guess you'll be applying for CEO position when Wendelin retires?

[MOMO3.2]

Yes Doug, I was struck by the same comment. I got the sense that maybe he was alluding to an 8 cyl motor. Maybe the new car would be mid-engined? Maybe it would not be marketed as a "911" at all?

It has been quite a long run for the 2+2, 6 cyl, rear engine Porsche. Perhaps the end really is in sight...

I for one hope the "new" Porsche is amazing. Then, maybe prices on the GT3 will drop low enough for me to buy one when I am ready to retire.

Mike

[PK010]

guys Porsche is not even making the bulk of its money from manufacturing anymore - it is effectively a big hedge fund...check this documentary out (I saw it in London about 6 weeks ago when I was there on business):

http://www.mininova.org/tor/2219795

article here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7843262.stm

I might make this a new thread as it is bound to get some interest...

[runfaster]

It was a good play by Porsche to raise their stake in VW. I doubt that they will be making similar deals in the future; at the end of the day they are still more like Henry Ford, than Henry Madoff.

Interesting article/video though.

Craig

[Maxhouse97]

I think they are going to go in the opposite direction - smaller 6 cylinder engines with light-pressure turbos for better gas mileage. They have to meet the ever increasing CO2 targets. There is already talk of a 4 cylinder boxster. Look at Ferrari's new millichelli or whatever its called. The new thing to spend money on will be efficient powertrains and light weight...

[Reaper930]

Put a damn turbo back in the racing series...enough of the naturally aspirated crap.

HISTORY HAS SHOWN that the turbo is what has made the brand what it is, the 934, 935, 917/30, 962, 993tt etc. etc. et-f'in'-cetra...

That's what they need to put some distance between the competition and their rear bumper.

NA racers have always gotten attention - Turbo cars have always made history.

[914efi]

I'll remove my vote for the 8 if they do a lightweight 6. Maybe the '911' version could be the turbo and the boxster version could be NA, or a 4. Adding lightness would be very good.

[Netspeed]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

They need to look at a modern version of the 914 - cheaper, more economical, 2-seat, light, quick, agile. There's a market for that. I read somewhere that they'd looked at this a few years ago and then abandoned the idea for whatever reason (probably a market obsessed with gas-guzzling pig-like SUVs for the last few years). However as the economy limps along and gas prices continue to climb, I doubt there will be huge demand for $130,000 911s. A few will sell for sure, but they need to make up for the lost Cayenne sales, which are in the toilet right now. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see some sort of small, more "entry-level" Porsche come along. It has historically worked well for the company looking to boost sales and increase brand loyalty (think 914, 944, Boxster, etc.)

The Boxster is getting played out and will probably need to be replaced or given a major facelift soon.

+1
I've been saying the same thing for years. If Lotus can make the Elise and sell them like hotcakes, why can't Porsche? I've always believed that Porsche should build an entry-level car and I don't count a base Cayman at $50k without any options as an entry-level car. They need a stripped down version starting at $40k with the only options being power and/or handling. Leave all the leather-cladded techno stuff out....just make it a pure driver's car. That way you have college aged people being able to afford a Porsche and when they get to their corporate jobs, they'll be able to afford a lot more...hence the 911. I think Porsche is afraid that if they leave all the gee-whiz stuff out, they'll lose market share.

Anyways....just my 2 cents.

[ClickClickBoom]

My bet is a version of the TDI, Porsche style. The development of the gasoline engine has hit the ceiling, the turbo diesel is just leaving the floor development wise. Continental Aircraft Engine is developing an opposed turbo diesel for G/A airplanes, diesel is the ROW fuel choice and a natural for Green operations. Audi has proven the R15 is a viable engine series and will continue to advance the development, who is Audi's parent company? At the basic design level for engine power production is BMEP. The most basic turbo diesel has far more power potential than the most advanced gasoline engine. As soon as the industry advances the development of the diesel in terms of weight reduction and increasing RPM potential the diesel will replace the gasoline engine, placing it on the shelf next to the steam engine.
Hola
eric

[Doug&Julie]

I have to apologize as I wasn't intending this thread to bring out any hatred (including my own).

If we're voting, I like the idea of a turbo charged mid-engined racer. To me Porsche's flat six motor is still very much part of Porsche heritage, and I think that could be the best balance for high hp and maximum efficiency. Not to mention lower weight.

[RSTarga]

All of us oldtimers prefer lightweight high efficiency small motors in simple cars. But the new cars must have so much crap on them to be accepted in the broad market place that it may no longer be possible. EG I have a C32 AMG, a small displacement motor, savage power (supercharged), perfect balance. It was replaced in the new version by a 6.3 liter V8. To me the opposite of what should have been done. By the way it is much quicker than my 964 3.3 Turbo.

[autobonrun]

"The writing it would seem is on the wall. And what is written is that the venerable and venerated 911 is in the twilight of its years. ... It's difficult to see the demand or the car lasting more than a couple more years. ... The 911 is as good as it can be made".

This was the opinion voiced by a writer in Road and Track. What is interesting to note is that this is an article in the August 1980 issue of Road and Track.

I bring this up for one reason, announcers or magazine writers for that matter don't have a clue, but if they say it long enough eventually it might happen, but it's been 30 years and it ain't happened yet.

I was able to place my hand on this article because I had recently showed it to a friend (Corvette owner) that made a similar statement. The look on his face was priceless.