Would A Basic, No Frills Entry-level Porsche Sports Car Be Of Interest To YOU? Porsche Working On 914-inspired, A PURE Sports Car...

Would A Basic, No Frills Entry-level Porsche Sports Car Be Of Interest To YOU? Porsche Working On 914-inspired, A PURE Sports Car...
In recent years, seeing Porsche continuing to evolve may have been difficult for some Porschephiles. That's because the vehicles have become more tech-laden and more reliant on driver assistance for them to stay competitive.

That's just the way of the sports car world, these days. It's not a good or bad thing, just reality.

Having said that, automakers every now and then like to put out something that steps out of bounds. We think this is a great thing.

According to reports, Porsche is thinking of going back to basics. In an interview with Michael Mauer, he has said that Porsche is working on a vehicle inspired by the vintage 914. The plan? To go after the buyers of Golf R32s and Audi TT RS' by building a no nonsense sports car. No electric anything, wind me up windows, you get the gist.

Its purpose? To be a pure driver's car.

That said, we've got to ask: Would a no-frills 914-like Porsche be of interest to you? Or, would someone have to pull technology from your cold, dead hands?



...In an official interview posted to its Newsroom website, Porsche has detailed the history and design of the 914, launched in 1969, recognising it as a successor to the iconic 550 Spyder and describing it as a “typical Porsche” in terms of engineering.

It also asked if there is a future for the mid-engined 914 in an interview with head of design Michael Mauer.

Mauer said that a “cheaper, entry-level Porsche would be the right thing to do”.

He added: “We have this discussion all the time… A modern 550 in the broadest sense – a very simple, unpretentious car..."

 


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MDarringerMDarringer - 2/16/2020 10:19:59 AM
+1 Boost
Genius move!

Take the GTI's 2.0T, put it in the middle, reject 911-caricature styling, call it a 914, and price it nicely equipped as a $35K entry-level Porsche and watch it fly out of the dealers. I love the brutal look of the 914 and I love driving the fake 914-6 that's around here somewhere

The 914 was a problem for Porsche. If you put the 6 cylinder in it, it would easily destroy the 911 for performance and so it had to be killed. The 914 wasn't being built by Porsche so their success story was out of their hands.

The same happened with the excellent 944 that was so good at getting people to buy one that the 911 became a footnote.


MDarringerMDarringer - 2/16/2020 12:20:47 PM
+1 Boost
All cars of that vintage have shitty door panels.


CANADIANCOMMENTSCANADIANCOMMENTS - 2/16/2020 3:36:51 PM
+3 Boost
@MD The best I can see them doing is a Boxster (718 Boo) that is stripped down and they bring back the 4 cyl motor that was just cancelled. I don't see them doing a whole new car. A recreated 550 Spyder would be nice.


MDarringerMDarringer - 2/16/2020 6:04:36 PM
+1 Boost
This needs (1) NOT to be Boxster based, (2) It needs to be $15K minimum less expensive, (3) not be styled to look like a 911, and (4) use the VW 2.0T.

Doing an attainable Porsche has been a sales success 3 times for Porsche (914, 944, and original Boxster), but Porsche never "owns it". They bloated the 944 into the overpriced 968 and they inflated the Boxster out of its sweet spot. The 914 had the capacity to replace the 911 given that the 914 was a far superior design.

Another "crazy" option to do could be for VWAG to give the "Scirocco" to Porsche and market a GTI based coupe as a Porsche 922.


skytopskytop - 2/16/2020 1:23:20 PM
+1 Boost
Had 914/6 Targa in 1971. Loads of unending electrical problems.


MDarringerMDarringer - 2/16/2020 2:21:31 PM
0 Boost
100% are easily sorted in an afternoon. Been there. Done that. Solved it.


carloslassitercarloslassiter - 2/16/2020 5:42:54 PM
+1 Boost
I remember Porsche's quote than an entry level Porsche is a used one. Can't see them doing a 35K car - they were above that with the entry level Boxster when it first came out and they've just kept ratcheting that higher.


MDarringerMDarringer - 2/16/2020 6:12:56 PM
0 Boost
This: "I remember Porsche's quote than an entry level Porsche is a used one." is Porsche's failed marketing.

Having an entry-level Porsche that is very popular and which has excellent performance keeps the name alive with the masses and brings people into the brand so they can be stair stepped up. The purpose of the 944 was to suggest the 911/928 as the next step.


MrEEMrEE - 2/16/2020 7:36:25 PM
+2 Boost
Could be related to the rumor that they will be working with Toyota on new MR2.


MDarringerMDarringer - 2/16/2020 9:16:22 PM
0 Boost
I read that VWAG is planning to emphasize Porsche more and relegate Audi to a lesser role. The TT has been a total turd as has been the Scirocco for sales, but that role would likely be different with a Porsche.

You'd enjoy the fake 914-6 I have access to. It's Edward's and I take it out every now and then. It started as a 914. We put it on a rotisserie repaired the body, strengthened it, and widened the fenders. The flat six (3.2) bolted in easily. Give it a suspension and braking upgrade. Throw in the 914-6 interior (slightly nicer) and the 914-6 emblem and it looks like the real thing.


carloslassitercarloslassiter - 2/16/2020 8:19:57 PM
+2 Boost
Having an entry-level Porsche that is very popular and which has excellent performance keeps the name alive with the masses and brings people into the brand so they can be stair stepped up. The purpose of the 944 was to suggest the 911/928 as the next step.

— MDarringer
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I get the marketing case, I just don't think Porsche believes this. Hope I'm wrong since I'd like to see one. I'd only buy a Porsche as a weekend toy and I don't need to drop 60K on that. 35ish, I'm in.


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