Porsche to kill R8?

[DavidI]

There was an interview with Dr Porsche in this month's Car magazine where he discussed the potential impact on the VW range now that Porsche have the controlling interest on the board, particularly to cars such as the Veyron and Phaeton, expensive projects that Piech must have enjoyed for their engineering challenge but which were never going to be profitable. Gavin Green's blog goes further, suggesting Porsche have no intention producing rival products effectively under the same roof.

There must be a chance he's right - do you think a production period of 3 years or so would cement or deny the R8 classic status? If the R8 plug is pulled, chances are the V10 is close enough to production to see the light of day, but what of the Spyder?

[Bodhii]

Man U like to add so much wild speculation onto huge unfounded assumptions! You must work for FOX news? (joke).. Why not just accept what is written, instead of trying to see something that is not there? The R8 is going nowhere. The plans for making more each year are already solid.

If any car is headed to the scrap heap, it is the old and honorable, but with very its obsolete rear engine technology, the Porsche 911.

[eclou]

I don't see how that would benefit Porsche. Their shareholders have everything to gain if Audi can move more units and bite into the market of BMW, Merc, Maserati and the even the exotics. I just don't see the R8 ever squashing 911 sales, especially since it is such a low production volume.

[wedouglas]

Why would Porsche want to kill a great selling car that falls under their marque?

[randombloke]

I think it'd be a good thing for the value/rarity if it was a short run - but I don't think it'd make economic sense for them given that although it is taking some share from porsche the r8 is also taking people away from other competitors that don't want a porsche for whatever reason.

[mfsc]

Its all about $ for Dr Porsche. He said they want to kill the cars that dont make money and keep the profitable ones (not sure if the R8 make money does anyone know?). That said, most of us had the 911 and the R8 on our short list and i think we all agree the R8 is much better value so Porsche might kill it anyway.

[Rob A]

Audi cannot build enough R8s to satisfy the demand. They're using a purpose-built factory and I hear that they are considering building another one.

I would be suprized if they did not make money on the R8.

[tzh]

r8 wouldn't be kill ~

[Bodhii]

If any car is headed to the scrap heap, it is the old and honorable, but with very its obsolete rear engine technology, Porsche 911.

I want to be clear that I do think that the 911's time is about up. But it will only disappear as Porsche replaces it with its new flag ship model. And the whole motorsport world awaits for that event!! Also I do think that the new flagship Porsche will go head to head with the Audi R8, irrespective of top corporate ownership. This WILL happen, and they both will remain very expensive and amazingly profitable! And the new Porsche will almost certainly be a mid-engine platform, ala the Cayman S. The new Porsche will be designed to not only match up well with the R8, but also with the Nissan GT-R, performance wise. Of course it will not attempt to match the GT-R's price.

There is not any chance that the R8 will disappear. The R8 has redefined Audi, and it will remain the companies flagship for many years to come.

[mfsc]

911 badge has too much brand value porsche wont kill it