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Porsche Considers 914 Revival
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:31 am
by WRXWagon2112
Linky
And there was much rejoicing!
Autoblog wrote:Once every 40 years or so, when the stars are aligned just right, there arises the cosmic possibility for Volkswagen and Porsche to collaborate on a small sportscar. The stars in question seem to be Porsche chairman Dr. Ferdinand Piech, a spirit of cooperation between the two German automakers, and the input of third-party contractor Karmann. It was Dr. Piech, the same man who has been driving Porsche's takeover of the Volkswagen group, who had ushered the original Porsche 914 into reality. But when Volkswagen launches its latest concept at the LA Auto Show this November, it hopes the little Elise fighter will garner enough attention to put the project into production as soon as 2011 with versions for both VW and Porsche.
The original Porsche 914 was based largely on borrowed Volkswagen mechanicals. Karmann was also heavily involved in the 914 project, and could be tapped once again to build the new sportscar for both Volkswagen and Porsche, with the project potentially spawning an Audi R4, as well. Although some sources suggest the Porsche version could adopt the 2.7-liter flat six from the base Boxster, with Zuffenhausen admittedly considering the possibility of going back to four-cylinder engines, anything's possible. Sources point out, however, that the four-cylinder version of the 914 was the top selling model. While you consider the idea of a budget Porsche, check out the high-resolution images of original 914 images in the gallery.
--Alan
Re: Porsche Considers 914 Revival
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:57 pm
by Mr Kleen
the Porsche bean counters have kept the Cayman artificially expensive and hamstrung. I expect nothing less [more] from them if a new 914 comes to pass.
Re: Porsche Considers 914 Revival
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:27 pm
by avriette
Mr Kleen wrote:the Porsche bean counters have kept the Cayman artificially expensive and hamstrung. I expect nothing less [more] from them if a new 914 comes to pass.
Well, you can look at that Saturn/Pontiac roadster thing, the rapid increase in the number of Elises in DC, the soaring costs of fuel, lack of parking, those damn smartcars and MB A-Class cars, and it adds up to a manufacturer
needing to make a small car with high efficiency that, hey, maybe can even handle well.
Unfortunately, as I "mostly" fit into a Cayman, if Porsche decides they want to build a new 914, it will be squarely in "S2000 territory" for me (read: Sandy can has, I cannot. but then, I can own and ride any bike I like.....).
Re: Porsche Considers 914 Revival
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:08 pm
by Mr Kleen
I didn't say it
wouldn't be efficient or
not handle well, just that it wouldn't be as fast as it could be and it would be more expensive than it's really worth. just like the Cayman.
Re: Porsche Considers 914 Revival
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:19 pm
by snaab
I hope it looks as quirky as the original. That's where most of the charm was in it for me.
Re: Porsche Considers 914 Revival
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:02 pm
by drwrx
I am both excited and yet not expecting much.
I've heard this song before, and it didn't play well then.
I can't imagine that Porsche will be able to change it's current tune and get the melody right.
Think WRX performance at BMW 335i pricing.
Re: Porsche Considers 914 Revival
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:26 pm
by snaab
drwrx wrote:Think WRX performance at BMW 335i pricing.
Hmm, that would be a shame. I test drove a Cayman without realizing how much of a beast it was, but I also didn't realize that the base model is fifty grand. Not that I was going to buy one, but it was a "test drive on an autocross track for a 20 dollar donation" kind of thing. Woohoo!