Porsche's new mid-engine to compete with R8 and F458

[Bodhii]

Porsche who controls the future designs of the Audi R8, is making plans to build a new mid-engine car, based on their new 918, to go into direct competition with the Ferrari 458, Lamborghinis, the new McLarens and the Audi R8's.

I think we have all known for a very long time that the 911 rear-engine design was seriously flawed, but too many old timer Porsche lovers demanded their rear seat space. This has seriously retarded Porsche's future modern car development.

Many of us knew that the Porsche 918 platform design would eventually replace the 911 platform as being the Porsche marque's flagship chassis. I can't wait!!!!

More than likely this car will share the same platform as the new Gallardo and R8. Question: Will it's performance ultimately rival that of the 918?

Porsche has plans for a new mid-engined supercar that, if approved by bosses at parent company Volkswagen, will take it into direct competition with Ferrari, McLaren and sister firm Lamborghini.

Conceived as a regular model rather than a high-priced, limited-edition production special, the new two-seater is intended to be positioned above the 911 but below the the 918 Spyder. Roadster and coupé versions are being discussed.



This would pitch the new Porsche into the same price territory as the Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, ( and probably with the future Audi R8 GT-3 type model.). The 458 Italia lists at £169,545 in the UK — £59,313 more than Porsche’s most expensive ‘regular’ model, the 911 Turbo.

“We’re looking to extend the range,” Porsche boss Mathias Muller revealed in a recent interview. “We’ve got an idea to do another mid-engined model. We’re thinking above the 911 but below the 918 Spyder.”

Muller suggests that the new supercar has already progressed beyond the initial drawing board stage. “We have ideas on styling and design, which we will continue to develop in the coming months,” he revealed. “We’ll also evaluate the economic side and then decide [whether to push ahead].”

The Boxster, Cayman and 911 use unitary steel construction, but it is believed that Porsche is considering extensive use of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic to reduce weight. Recent low-volume models at Porsche, including the Carrera GT and 911 GT2 RS, have given the firm experience in lightweight construction.

The business case for the new supercar is rumoured to focus on annual global sales of between 2500 and 3000 — around half that of the 911 Turbo and its various derivatives, including the GT2.

An alternative plan to borrow heavily from the second-gen Audi R8’s aluminium spaceframe architecture was never given serious consideration, according to a senior source. The initial proposals for the new Porsche supercar follow a similar parts-sharing strategy to that undertaken with the Boxster/Cayman and 911, which have a 60 per cent commonality.

“It is entirely possible that we could use a front end that’s similar but not necessarily the same as the 911’s, including components such as the axle and suspension,” said our insider. “The rear end wouldn’t be unlike that of the Boxster/Cayman in architectural terms, just bigger to accommodate a larger mid-mounted engine and gearbox installation, while providing greater overall length and width than the 911.”

Engine plans are less clear. But to compete with the 458 Italia, Gallardo LP560-4 and MP4-12C, the new Porsche will need in the region of 550bhp to 600bhp.Options include a version of Porsche’s 3.8-litre flat six, which in its ultimate twin-turbo form, as seen in the GT2 RS, currently kicks out 620bhp.

A production version of the RS Spyder race car’s 3.4-litre V8 is also a possibility. Such a unit is showcased in the 918 Spyder, where it is claimed to produce 555bhp on its own and 756bhp in combination with a 201bhp electric motor.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/256095/

[RS4Cab]

About time Porsche makes a model that doesn't look like 90% of the Porsche's on the road

[sapien]

Maybe that design will trickle down to less expensive porsches.

[rawg]

About time Porsche makes a model that doesn't look like 90% of the Porsche's on the road

+1, and I hope the design does not trickle down to the less expensive porsches

[bz888]

Wow! That's great news! I would definitely consider, but I think it will cost much more than the R8.

[Bodhii]

but I think it will cost much more than the R8.

Porsche will make their super expensive Spyder 918 roadster as the top echelon of street driving Porsches ( >$450,000 USD in USA), and they also announced at that time about making a full Porsche Cup type race model from the new 918 model. But this new model being discussed here, must be priced similarly to the basic Ferrari 458 or Lambo, or the future top model R8 ($230,000-270,000 USD in USA?) and be mostly an ultra hi-performance street/track car.

.

[SebringSilver]

This is fantastic news and long overdue.

[NVRL8R8]

Does Porsche solely own VW/Audi, or just have a % of stock that gives them that kind of control?

[timborama]

Does Porsche solely own VW/Audi, or just have a % of stock that gives them that kind of control?

Neither...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche

[ignomini]

As an "old time Porsche lover" I don't care if my car is version two, three, or twenty million, it's a great driving machine. The R8 is a great machine. My TR4 is a fun machine, if not very great. There's nothing wrong with Porsche still building a rear engine car. Having said all that, for those lucky enough to own a mid engine Porsche, I'll bet those are great too.