Tuesday 21st April 2009

Porsche 928 'Rumour' Rides Again

New Panamera platform could underpin the classic coupe’s return

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Speculation over the possible rebirth of the classic Porsche 928 is rife once again, the latest rumour frenzy following a ‘round table’ media grilling of Porsche execs at the Shanghai motorshow.

928 was produced from 1977 to 1995

Apparently various members of the Porsche board have expressed positive thoughts about re-entering the front-engined luxury coupe sector, with sales and marketing director Klaus Berning reported as confirming such a car is of particular interest to the firm.

With global sales of lower-end Porsches like the Boxster and Cayman under pressure while interest in range-topping 911 and Cayenne models remains strong, it would seem to make sense for the Stuttgart manufacturer to investigate a flagship GT model based on the technically advanced Panamera platform.

Adding weight to the story, Porsche design chief Michael Mauer told journalists in Shanghai he is ‘still busy’ with design work on the Panamera project, as well as with the next iteration of the 911.

Panamera could get the coupe treatment

Although Porsche has had runaway success with its Cayenne SUV, the firm is missing out on sales in the luxury GT sector where rival manufacturers like Aston Martin, Bentley and Maserati are proving successful. Additionally, the all-new Panamera platform required a major investment by Porsche and a successful coupe spin-off would surely help to ease the financial burden.

[dinkel]

That V8 just waits for a decent housing.

[LayZ]

No brainer really to make a Merc CL competitor, the development costs would be relatively small using the Panamera platform.

[angus54]

Absolutely love the 928 - driven a few way back.

Great seats and driving position.

Not to mention the rest of the package.

[dickieandjulie]

Any guesses what it might look like?!

[ZesPak]

dickieandjulie said:

Any guesses what it might look like?!

Like a panamera with two doors.

Or easier, a big 911.

[Saabstudent]

Adding weight to the story, Porsche design chief Michael Maur told journalists in Shanghai he is ‘still busy’ with design work on the Panamera project, as well as with the next iteration of the 911

Just who is this Michael Maur?
I thought Ex-Saab and Mercedes bloke Michael Mauer was the designer at Porsche?
Anyone would think this was copied from another automotive website that made the same mistake.

CTRL + C then CTRL + V maybe?

G

[fastgerman.com]

God I'm excited! Seriously!

I just hope they do some proper design work and not just use the stretched back end of a 911 and the front of the cayenne, ah that is the Panamera Coupe! No!

Return of the pop up head lights please! Maybe a range topper with a V10 (Carrera GT)!

[alanruss]

Saabstudent said:

Adding weight to the story, Porsche design chief Michael Maur told journalists in Shanghai he is ‘still busy’ with design work on the Panamera project, as well as with the next iteration of the 911

Just who is this Michael Maur?
I thought Ex-Saab and Mercedes bloke Michael Mauer was the designer at Porsche?
Anyone would think this was copied from another automotive website that made the same mistake.

CTRL + C then CTRL + V maybe?

G

CTRL + C then CTRL + V maybe? < - Thats what this guy is busy doing.... in auto cad. Just CTRL + C 911 front end, CTRL + V new 928 front end.

Now just to make the back all weird and ta-dah! New Porsche model.

I loved the differntiation in the 944, 928, 911 range. They are all ok looking but why does every new Aston and Porsche have to look 90% the same??

Edited by alanruss on Tuesday 21st April 12:35

[castex]

I've lost all faith in Porsche's ability to make a pretty car.

[lankyarcher]

Saabstudent said:

Adding weight to the story, Porsche design chief Michael Maur told journalists in Shanghai he is ‘still busy’ with design work on the Panamera project, as well as with the next iteration of the 911

Just who is this Michael Maur?
I thought Ex-Saab and Mercedes bloke Michael Mauer was the designer at Porsche?
Anyone would think this was copied from another automotive website that made the same mistake.

CTRL + C then CTRL + V maybe?

G

My god, how petty?
Nothing better to do I assume.......tt

[Fetchez la vache]

castex said:

I've lost all faith in Porsche's ability to make a pretty car.

Like this ugly brute?

[fastgerman.com]

castex said:

I've lost all faith in Porsche's ability to make a pretty car.

You're telling me the 997 C4S Convertible is not pretty enough for you?

I think it is automotive sex!

[Ollieb7]

Great - another FAT Porsche - Lighten up for Fecks sake!

[Belfast Boy]

you just know it will look ste!....that is a real shame!

[Dracoro]

fastgerman.com said:

castex said:

I've lost all faith in Porsche's ability to make a pretty car.

You're telling me the 997 C4S Convertible is not pretty enough for you?

I think it is automotive sex!

Eh, the 911 convertibles are along the worst there is. From the front the the up to the doors it's ok, then the silly tub thing at the end, it looks like a bathtub.

Cayenne is uglier though.

The standard 911 is the prettiest, then the boxster, then non standard 911s(turbo, gt3 etc.), then the cayman, then the panamera, then the 911 conv, then the cayenne.

You may disagree of course however that doesn't make me any less right

Edited by Dracoro on Tuesday 21st April 12:52

[escargot]

castex said:

I've lost all faith in Porsche's ability to make a pretty car.

Uhh what?

I do a little sex wee every time I see one of these:

[Beefmeister]

escargot said:

castex said:

I've lost all faith in Porsche's ability to make a pretty car.

Uhh what?

I do a little sex wee every time I see one of these:

Even better when you walk out of your house to find one there, in white, just like that...

Then you walk out one day and see a black and orange GT3 RS on your drive, and have to go back inside to knock one out...

[thinfourth2]

castex said:

I've lost all faith in Porsche's ability to make a pretty car.

I'd disagree on that point

But i would say they has lost the ability to make a car that doesn't look like a 911 that has been sat on, over inflated, badly stretched or suffered a bad cut and shut

[jon-]

fastgerman.com said:

castex said:

I've lost all faith in Porsche's ability to make a pretty car.

You're telling me the 997 C4S Convertible is not pretty enough for you?

I think it is automotive sex!

The real shock of this thread is someone male actually LIKES the 997 convertible.

Gayer.

[The Nur]

fastgerman.com said:

God I'm excited! Seriously!

I just hope they do some proper design work and not just use the stretched back end of a 911 and the front of the cayenne, ah that is the Panamera Coupe! No!

Return of the pop up head lights please! Maybe a range topper with a V10 (Carrera GT)!

Unfortunately I dont think we will ever see pop ups again!