When it comes to future models, nothing is written on stone, especially when we are living what the Chinese like to call, “interesting times”, as carmakers frequently make new plans and discard old ones, depending on how the economy is doing.
As far as Porsche’s future is concerned, the Stuttgart-based company is already in the final development phase of two brand new models, the mid-size Macan crossover and the 918 Spyder hybrid supercar, both of which will launch next year.
Speaking to Autonews Europe, Porsche boss Matthias Mueller talked about the company’s plans and the models that are currently under discussion.
Mueller started off with a new car that has been confirmed for production and which is bound to capture the interest of Porsche-philes: a coupe version of the next Panamera, which in sedan / liftback form, is due for next year. This model could very well be a spiritual successor to the famed 928, Porsche’s last GT with seating for four and a front-mounted engine.
The Porsche CEO went on to say that, the company plans more derivatives of the Panamera in the coming years, though he pointed out to the news site that the shooting-break-style, Sport Turismo Concept we saw in Paris, “has not been approved for production”.
While Mueller stated once again that the company has “indefinitely postponed” work on a smaller and lower-priced sports car than the Boxster, he noted that Porsche is pondering the addition of two other models, the so-called Pajun executive sedan to compete against the BMW 5-Series and M5, and a new sports car slotting between the 911 series and the limited run 918 Spyder.
If the sports model receives the green light, it will be based on the VW Group’s MMB platform architecture for rear-wheel drive and mid-engine cars, the development of which is being spearheaded by Porsche. The same platform will be used on a number of VW Group sports cars, such as the next Lamborghini Gallardo and the Audi R8.
*Note: The opening picture is a design concept for a new Porsche 928 by Julliana Cho, more details of which, you can read here.
Story References: Autonews Europe
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