Wolfgang Duerheimer, head of development at Porsche recently told Germany's Automobilwoche that creating a model that is significantly cheaper than the current Boxster is top priority for the automaker. What does this mean? It looks like Porsche is going to get a version of the Volkswagen Bluesport concept.
Volkswagen unveiled the Bluesport Concept earlier this year. The two-seater mid-engine roadster is powered by a 2.0L diesel. If a Porsche version is for sure in the works, expect it to share most of its mechanicals with the VW version.
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Comments (10)
Spiffy little sports car there, my 350Z is prettier, not that I'm biased or anything ...
and then I read 'powered by a 2.0L diesel'.
That would be so cool ! Think it will make it to the states?!?! I"m not going to wait dinner on it.
Probably won't pull 100mph in the quarter like my Z, but no doubt the mpg difference (25mpg in the Z average) would be enough offset for me to overlook the lack of quickness by comparison. My old Jetti wasn't a dog, but it wasn't a roadburner, either. If they use a similar powerplant, they may have a winner here. Who knows.
Now I wonder if it would burn filtered waste veggie oil like my Cummins.....
Posted by wvo | October 6, 2009 12:00 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 12:00
to WVO:
Those billions of z350s and other "sporty" rubber-stamped cars on the roads are so boring and ugly, I do not understand how you can compare them to nicely designed European. Unless Porsche screws things up badly, they would not even compare.
Posted by DuDe | October 6, 2009 1:24 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 13:24
Is Porsche hard up for money? WHY do this? I think the Boxster is toned down enough. I can't imagine an eco or economy model porsche. This is just so wrong.
Porsche makers of $20k to $200k dollar cars.
Posted by Brian | October 6, 2009 2:15 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 14:15
@ Brian
Why not? BMW has the regular Cooper from around $19k up to a fully loaded Rolls Royce for a few hundred thousand.
Posted by Totenglocke | October 6, 2009 4:16 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 16:16
While I suppose that is somewhat true (not that I count BMW as a Rolls or a Cooper, much like saying Honda isn't directly Acura...), when I think of the performance car arena BMW doesn't pop out at first.
I don't see Lambo or Ferrari with a cheapy entry level version.
I don't see a trickle down effect either. You can't really take the things you learn from designing the GT2/GT3 and apply them to a slow turbo diesel...
All in all, it just seems like a way to sell more cars, period. Not more expensive cars, not better ones, just more units. I suppose I'd be fine if Porsche went your way and just created a new division to do cheaper cars. That way the Porsche image stays with the high dollar cars.
Posted by Brian | October 6, 2009 6:30 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 18:30
Oh great, a Porsche that breaks as soon as you drive it home. What's the point of a 20K car if it costs you more than that to maintain it?
Even the old 914 was (for it's time) far more reliable than a modern VW, or at least it didn't take you to the cleaners with constant expensive repairs. I know I had one way back when, and I regret selling it every time I sit in my current GTI crap box.
This whole thing reeks of cynical branding to hide the fact that VW won't step up and build cars to 21st century quality standards.
Posted by an_individual | October 6, 2009 7:03 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 19:03
Maybe it will be like the 1980's again when they had a bunch of 944's on the street.
Posted by Peter | October 6, 2009 7:45 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 19:45
I'd rather consider a used Boxster. Unless there is some serious retooling, why consider the rebadge?
Posted by Kawi | October 7, 2009 9:37 AM
Posted on October 7, 2009 09:37
We haven't seen s real Bluesport yet, and a cheap Porsche hasn't existed since the 914 (unless you consider the 924 or 944 to have been cheap.)
No way to estimate how this would turn out without a whole heap of 'if's' clouding the issue.
Posted by kw | October 7, 2009 11:35 AM
Posted on October 7, 2009 11:35
There is only one Porsche and that is the 911. The rest are for wanna-bes who can't afford a 911....
Posted by OK | October 7, 2009 6:15 PM
Posted on October 7, 2009 18:15