The SUV Porsche should have built
 

Apologies in advance for flogging a dead horse. Again!

I was excited when it was announced that Porsche was building a SUV. I thought this could be my ideal car to use daily. As the project was gradually revealed I gave up in despair. This is the sort of SUV I was expecting and that I felt Porsche should have built. Not a beauty queen but a functional, go anywhere, anytime, in any conditions sportscar.

I scanned these photos from an Italian off road magazine. They are of the Rinspeed 996 Turbo based Bedouin. It will be shown in Geneva next month.

The fourth photo is of the Jeep Compass, apparently it will go in production in 2005.

That is also much more like it.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/Suv1.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/Suv3.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/Suv2.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/Suv4.jpg

Honestly, I think that is uglier than the Cayenne.

Personally, I would have preferred to see Porsche design a more robust and utilitarian type vehicle.

I agree, it's no beauty queen. But at least it fits into my Porsche pantheon which the Cayenne does not.

Agree. I would have loved a moden version of the 597. Mass produced by VW to keep the price down.

597 - That's the hunting car right? Pretty cool - a new version of that would have been a great idea. They should have been thinking out of the box - instead of copying the conventional designs on the market - ie the Grand Viagra(sic) or the Santa fe.

As I remember the 597 was amphibious. That would turn some heads today. Lets say you have a vehicle that would go 135 mph comfortably on the highway - yet its amphibious - pretty good idea. Throw in low range and three locking differentials for go anywhere 4wd.

Then lets get some utilitarian styling - so it looks like it is really off-road capable. Think G-500/VW Thing but more aerodynamic.

Yea now were talking.

Just my thoughts.

Jeb
'79 930
'97 Land Cruiser

Just remember that the "Ugliest" cars are also the "Friendliest" to Drive!!!

IMO, the MB G series or (believe it or not) the shape of the new Honda Element has a purposeful look. Kind of the mini hummer or Jeep look...

The original pictures above look almost identical to an existing car. The BMW M-coupe.

I don't think the 597 was so much amphibious as that it would float and could be pulled across deep water. That aside I would love one in my garage.

Alternatively:http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/bfoot1.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/bfoot2.jpg

Very similar, except the Bedouin can be be converted into a pickup in seconds.

Don't care for either the new Cayenne design or the Bedouin shown above, but the name "Bedouin" is just about the best name for an SUV that I've ever heard.

I agree!

porsche needs to stick to what it does best build true sports cars!not trucks.

I'd have to say I like or tolerate the present Cayenne design as it incorporates the "Porsche" features.
The scanned pic though, with the vertical blind rear windows looks like an "I don't want to see who I just cut off in traffic" kind of stance.
Of course the Bimmer people aren't even aware