Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Porsche planning Ferrari 458 challenger?

Porsche would like to double its current sales volume, and to do that, the automaker will need to expand its lineup. The Cajun crossover and 918 are still a year or three away, and we're always hearing talk of a sub-Boxster roadster or even a baby Panamera being in the cards. But what about a new coupe to take on Maranello's finest?

Autocar claims that such a supercar could be on the way, and it would go toe-to-toe with the Ferrari 458 Italia. The British mag reports that Porsche boss Mathias Muller would like the company to produce another mid-engine offering, adding "we're thinking above the 911 but below the 918 Spyder." Muller also says that Porsche already has some designs that still need further development, and that a business case still needs to be made.

If such a Porsche were to find its way to production, it would need plenty of lightweight materials. And since Audi now shares a family tree with Porsche, the new supercar could share the R8's aluminum space frame chassis. If that doesn't work, a heavily-modified (and larger) 911 platform would probably do the trick, too.

At any rate, such a super-Porsche appears to be a long way from a production green light, much less a showroom floor. Still, it's nice to dream, and we don't mind waking up to a world with one more Porsche from which to choose.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/25/p...58-challenger/

RX469

iTrader: (1)

That would be nice indeed!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i think it will be nice. the 918 is way up there, they can have something more in the middle

rai

Porsche does make the GT2 RS which costs $245K

I don't see the point of that car. It's cost basis is off when you consider the GT3 ($115K) and Turbo S ($160K)

I am sure there is room above these two cars but I can not see spending 2x the cost of a GT3 to get a GT2.

Not to say that a person who can afford $250K for a GT2 would really care about the cost but just that it is getting into the price range of a F458 or Lambo Gallardo.

I think there is a nice place for a higher car than the 911 that would play with the Ferrari/Lambo.

I don't know if Porsche wants to be there (stealing sales from the higher trim 911 cars or stealing sales from the R8 and Lambo).

But I would love to see them give it a try.

Ferrari has very little competition, it is such a force at this price range $250-$300K that maybe some companies tend to leave it alone. Just like the Miata is not challanged (any more), I think the Ferrari has very little challange up to now (only the Gallardo) and soon the McLaren.