Do you reckon Porsche want to go all electric?
Discussion
The way the recent media releases from the company read it seems Porsche are sold that electric is the way to future proof themselves. It'll be slow burn over the next decade or so but seems they're into this and it wonders me quite where their accountants feel their counting machines will fall and if even the P men at the top actually like this stuff.
I think the day Porsche go full electric will be like having the dead family dog stuffed and placed on a stand in a corner of the family living room. It'll pull off a good impression of Snowy and all the guests at Christmas will smile and muse about how wonderful Snowy was. But it won't bark, pee on your shoes or catch a ball. It'll be a soulless slightly tragic testimony to what was, once upon a time.
Of course firms don't want to be Luddited and left behind so will go with the revenue. But do you think they actually want to embrace this full fold? I can't stand the idea myself, even more so driverless vehicles.
My personal dislike - Electric vehicles smack of everything the millennial, Facebook social media generation holds as "aspirational". Emotionless, detached electric everything. A robotic, non threatening future. I personally hope investment is found in alternative power that allow at least some level of noise, visceral feel, vibration and engagement. Even so called "high performance" evs sound like dodgems or milk floats.
I know EVs are fast and endlessly torquier but their performance is bland, synthetic and easy. But then I'm probably a Luddite :-)
I think the day Porsche go full electric will be like having the dead family dog stuffed and placed on a stand in a corner of the family living room. It'll pull off a good impression of Snowy and all the guests at Christmas will smile and muse about how wonderful Snowy was. But it won't bark, pee on your shoes or catch a ball. It'll be a soulless slightly tragic testimony to what was, once upon a time.
Of course firms don't want to be Luddited and left behind so will go with the revenue. But do you think they actually want to embrace this full fold? I can't stand the idea myself, even more so driverless vehicles.
My personal dislike - Electric vehicles smack of everything the millennial, Facebook social media generation holds as "aspirational". Emotionless, detached electric everything. A robotic, non threatening future. I personally hope investment is found in alternative power that allow at least some level of noise, visceral feel, vibration and engagement. Even so called "high performance" evs sound like dodgems or milk floats.
I know EVs are fast and endlessly torquier but their performance is bland, synthetic and easy. But then I'm probably a Luddite :-)
Edited by Buggyjam on Wednesday 11th October 23:47
Well if it won't be possible to actually sell a petrol or diesel car in the future, I don't think there was even any need to ask the question TBH.
Having restored a couple of cars, and maintaining older ones - my youngest is 2002 - I'm thinking I could live without the pops and bangs in return for very little to go wrong. The modern IC engine, especially with all the anti pollution gubbins, is infernally complicated and when cars are subsequently built down to a price, as all are nowadays bar none, they are not designed to economically still be in service beyond "x" years.
With an electric motor you have only bearings and brushes (if fitted!) to go wrong.
And the batteries too, eventually.
The list of stuff that can and does wear out or age, or can just fail catastrophically in an IC engine with all its necessary ancillaries is mind boggling.
Having restored a couple of cars, and maintaining older ones - my youngest is 2002 - I'm thinking I could live without the pops and bangs in return for very little to go wrong. The modern IC engine, especially with all the anti pollution gubbins, is infernally complicated and when cars are subsequently built down to a price, as all are nowadays bar none, they are not designed to economically still be in service beyond "x" years.
With an electric motor you have only bearings and brushes (if fitted!) to go wrong.
And the batteries too, eventually.
The list of stuff that can and does wear out or age, or can just fail catastrophically in an IC engine with all its necessary ancillaries is mind boggling.
Mark-C said:
I reckon Porsche are a massive profit-making company that want to make massive profits. Not sure they care about Petrol or Diesel or Hybrid or Full EV beyond it making them money ...
This.Given they have already had a hybrid halo model and recent manual gearbox/NA halo type GT cars I'm sure they'll go where they can create a market/demand and hype for their broader range!
In addition to the many views already stated above, I refer to the following article from 2014 when Lamborghini revealed the Asterion.
http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20141003-lamborghin...
[i]“We all know what we have to do. Down the road we see turbocharging and plug-in hybrids. There is no way out – assuming the legislation doesn’t change,”
“Even if we might be granted an exemption – as a small manufacturer – there is also the issue of social acceptance. Things are changing. People are more aware, more sensitive… Many of our customers are entrepreneurs. These people don’t just have passions, they have sharp minds and they know what is going on in the world.
“There are perception issues, like it or not, and when you are perceived as an outlaw you no longer fit into the big picture. So we need to adjust, while remaining consistent to the brand.”
http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20141003-lamborghin...
[i]“We all know what we have to do. Down the road we see turbocharging and plug-in hybrids. There is no way out – assuming the legislation doesn’t change,”
“Even if we might be granted an exemption – as a small manufacturer – there is also the issue of social acceptance. Things are changing. People are more aware, more sensitive… Many of our customers are entrepreneurs. These people don’t just have passions, they have sharp minds and they know what is going on in the world.
“There are perception issues, like it or not, and when you are perceived as an outlaw you no longer fit into the big picture. So we need to adjust, while remaining consistent to the brand.”
996TT02 said:
Well if it won't be possible to actually sell a petrol or diesel car in the future, I don't think there was even any need to ask the question TBH.
Having restored a couple of cars, and maintaining older ones - my youngest is 2002 - I'm thinking I could live without the pops and bangs in return for very little to go wrong. The modern IC engine, especially with all the anti pollution gubbins, is infernally complicated and when cars are subsequently built down to a price, as all are nowadays bar none, they are not designed to economically still be in service beyond "x" years.
With an electric motor you have only bearings and brushes (if fitted!) to go wrong.
And the batteries too, eventually.
The list of stuff that can and does wear out or age, or can just fail catastrophically in an IC engine with all its necessary ancillaries is mind boggling.
You've single handedly turned my opinion a little there with that point. That certainly appeals. The thought of simple mechanicals and less to go wrong really would be fantastic. Having restored a couple of cars, and maintaining older ones - my youngest is 2002 - I'm thinking I could live without the pops and bangs in return for very little to go wrong. The modern IC engine, especially with all the anti pollution gubbins, is infernally complicated and when cars are subsequently built down to a price, as all are nowadays bar none, they are not designed to economically still be in service beyond "x" years.
With an electric motor you have only bearings and brushes (if fitted!) to go wrong.
And the batteries too, eventually.
The list of stuff that can and does wear out or age, or can just fail catastrophically in an IC engine with all its necessary ancillaries is mind boggling.
After 20 years of Race and road Porsches ( GT/RS ) , as I cannot buy the Porsche I would like to buy I bought a Tesla X , and it has been a revelation , fast , efficient , less stressful in town ..... and very low running costs .
This is why all the manufacturers are clamouring to get into Formula E as simply it is the Future
Sadly that is all the head ...... the heart still loves the sound of a flat 6 without silencers .....fortunately I still get to hear that
This is why all the manufacturers are clamouring to get into Formula E as simply it is the Future
Sadly that is all the head ...... the heart still loves the sound of a flat 6 without silencers .....fortunately I still get to hear that
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