Porsche to make a 'Golf'?

[austin552]

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=17610

Rumours have been floating around for a while that Porsche is to build a small hatchback, a model derived from the Volkswagen Golf.

German mag Auto Bild has now created an image of the 'Porsche Golf' for its cover story this week, and claims the hatch is due for production in 2012.

This isn't quite as far-fetched as it sounds: Porsche has recently expressed concern about the upcoming CAFE legislation (corporate average fuel economy) in the USA, and such a model will help it reduce the average consumption figure for its line-up.

This also dovetails neatly with the growing demand for small but sporting, high-specification performance hatches: the Porsche 'Golf' could trump models such as the higher-end BMW 1-Series models, the Audi S3, and in the USA in particular, the upcoming Cadillac rear-wheel-drive hatch and the similarly posh models expected shortly from Lexus and Infiniti.

The car would probably be related to the Golf (and Audi A3) in the same way that the Cayenne SUV is related to the Volkswagen Toaureg and Audi Q7, and the upcoming 'Roxster' compact SUV to the Tiguan and Q5: a proportion of shared components, but substantial model-specific engineering, a more powerful engine line-up and fine-tuning and finishing to give a clearly differentiated feel to each. It would be more than merely a rebadged, sported-up Golf.

Does it still sound unlikely? Remember, Porsche now owns a controlling (31%) stake in Volkswagen, and is lobbying for a full takeover later this year.

It has worked closely with Volkswagen in the past even on sports car development (914, 924, not to mention the original Beetle-influenced 356). And after all, who would have predicted Porsche SUVs - Cayenne, Roxster - or indeed, the upcoming Panamera saloon?

[austin552]

[austin552]

[Dantilla]

I recently got an old 944S out of storage, and am using it daily. I bought it to turn it into a race car, but it gets almost 30 mpg, has a huge storage area under the hatch, and is a hoot to drive.

It's my new SUV, emphasis on the S.

I'd like them to bring back a car similar to the 944- Something more desirable than a warmed-over Golf.

[livi]

Nah, I will wait for the Porsche Pickup truck.

[Aerkuld]

Originally Posted by livi

Nah, I will wait for the Porsche Pickup truck.

Don't give them ideas!

[tcar]

I've heard the same thing.

Actually looks remarkably like the new proposed Scirocco. On a Golf/Audi platform.

Remarkably similar.

Don't find a pic at the moment.

[Dantilla]

A front-wheel-drive Porsche?

[dzls rok]

Originally Posted by tcar

I've heard the same thing.

Actually looks remarkably like the new proposed Scirocco. On a Golf/Audi platform.

Remarkably similar.

Don't find a pic at the moment.

[dzls rok]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

A front-wheel-drive Porsche?

a water cooled porsche?!

[Arizona_928]

just make another run on the 944 series. keep the flares, and hatch and make into something great!

[the]

Those cars pictured above just won't sell in the U.S if they are badged and sold as Porsches.

Americans just won't pay premium dollars for an economy car style hatchback. They are always viewed as cheap.

BMW tried it with the 318Ti (R.I.P.), Mercedes followed with the failed C class "Coupe" (R.I.P. - oh, and trying to trick everyone by calling a Hatchback a "Coupe" doesn't work either).

Maybe it would sell ok in Europe or other places. But not in the US.

[grudk]

Originally Posted by the

Those cars pictured above just won't sell in the U.S if they are badged and sold as Porsches.

Americans just won't pay premium dollars for an economy car style hatchback. They are always viewed as cheap.

BMW tried it with the 318Ti (R.I.P.), Mercedes followed with the failed C class "Coupe" (R.I.P. - oh, and trying to trick everyone by calling a Hatchback a "Coupe" doesn't work either).

Maybe it would sell ok in Europe or other places. But not in the US.

Have to disagree. With higher fuel costs and the ongoing shift in popular culture (more pro-environment, anti-consumerism), Americans will be re-thinking what defines 'premium.'

The BMW and Mercedes models you mention were crap, BTW. M-coupe is a better comparison, and that certainly had/has a following.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by livi

Nah, I will wait for the Porsche Pickup truck.

[the]

Originally Posted by grudk

Have to disagree. With higher fuel costs and the ongoing shift in popular culture (more pro-environment, anti-consumerism), Americans will be re-thinking what defines 'premium.'

The BMW and Mercedes models you mention were crap, BTW. M-coupe is a better comparison, and that certainly had/has a following.

M coupe had a following . . . a small one.

But the M coupe was not an economy car style hatchback like the ones pictured above. (Largish rear side windows, real back seats, upright hatch).

Maybe a shift to more pro-environment will cause a huge shift that will outdo 50+ years of Americans' views on hatchbacks. Maybe. But I doubt it, at least not in the "Porsche level" price range.

[m21sniper]

Anybody who would pay a Porsche price tag for a warmed over golf is as stupid as anyone that would pay a Porsche price tag for a warmed over Toureg.

[Hugh R]

DARISC

That's great!

[RWebb]

remember how much fun that Honda CRV was?

now imagine Porsche made one...

[svandamme]

if they make one, it won't be FWD, that much is certain
BMW has the 1 series (mine's been ordered, 5 more weeks, yay), RWD and it's a hoot to drive

[911pcars]

"remember how much fun that Honda CRV was?"

... or that 924?

No one is going to leap blind-folded into buying or dismissing an econo-Porsche without first taking a look. Well, I take that back. Those who want/need the Porscha logo will purchase one just as they did the Hummer, Escalade and Excursion. There's a fool for every car manufactured. But I'll hold judgement until the $50k eco-car makes its appearance.

At +$6/gallon, new cars will need to offer a compelling reason for consumers to fork over their deflated-value lunch money. I don't think "new" is good enough anymore. But I have faith in the oil industry. They might leave fuel prices at the $5 level for awhile until people get used to it and return to their regular car-buying habits; but this time for more expensive, but fuel-saving vehicles.

Sherwood