Billed as a spiritual successor to the classic Porsche 356

[daro911]

Porsche confirms new small sportscar

Porsche boss Matthias Müller reveals ambitious hopes for the future as he discusses the firm's plans for next decade with Auto Express

Porsche's junior Boxster is go! Boss Matthias Müller confirmed that the small, mid-engined roadster is at an advanced stage of development at the firm's research and development facility in Weissach.

Billed as a spiritual successor to the classic Porsche 356, the model is based on the Volkswagen Group's new MMB platform - which will also underpin the VW Bluesport, tipped for launch in 2013.

Full sized design prototypes have already been built, and the firm is currently evaluating the business case for the new car which sources have told Auto Express could appear as early as 2012.

"We have a model based on the Bluesport, but we are not yet ready to show it."

"When we are convinced about the project, we will be ready to show it" said Müller.

"However, we do not have to show this car off as a concept to make a decision on its future."

"We have all the facts and figures we need. The first time you see it, it will be as a production ready car."

"At the moment, we are working through hundreds of new ideas from our engineers, ideas that will take the company through the next ten years."

"Before we do anything, we must work out what to do first."

However, among these ideas, Müller also revealed the following projects were currently under development:

Flat-four engine for Boxster and Cayman

A new flat four-cylinder engine is being developed by Porsche to power the next generation of Boxster and Cayman models.

The engine, which will be developed from the firm's existing flat-six cylinder unit, is just one of a range of more fuel efficient, less polluting engines under development at the firm.

Both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions of the 2.4-litre engine are being considered.


Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/motorshows/los-angeles-motor-show/259618/porsche_confirms_new_small_sportscar.html#ixzz15dTzBIVo

 

[kitchens]

If it is half as nice as the production model it will sell in millions
They should have used this design for the new Boxster .love the louvers on the rear

 

[Helen Goff]

love it and i would buy one but, this should be posted in the "Modern" section of the forum, its NOT a 356

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Think that's the Auto Express artist's impression... Porsche not likely to start "accidentally" leaking pictures for quite a while yet.

 

[jdpef356]

Just wait to see one in the flesh - having taken a look at the prototype Boxster in the Museum at Stuttgart and the one that was delivered as the production model you will know what I mean![]

 

[912UK]

if it's based on the Boxster then is it not really more akin to the 914?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Yes, but if you are in Porsche marketing and want to give it a bit of old-model "cache", what would you try to align it with "spiritually"?

The Boxster has always been aligned with the 550, although it looks far more like other less well known mid-engined Porsche racers from the 50/60's, and really the 914 was more appropriate as a roadcar predecessor.

 

[jdpef356]

It carries the Porsche Badge and whatever spin the marketing people think is best they go with []

 

[912UK]

I think if they call it the 356 then it's going to bite them later. Your thinking what??

There is no new news in the fact that Porsche will have to look at building more basic cars for less money to apeal and survive the future. Ok in the far east and middle east paint any Porsche white they will buy it and they do in their 1000's why do you thing the 4x4 thing does so well for them ££$$ well less ££ more $$$$$$$$

but by using the 356 name to a car this early on will sell them selves short for future model cars say in 10 years or so.. On paper Marketing or not this is a 914 type car.. and in time when they use 4 pot more and more then the 912 and 356 names could come out the bag.. hence I think it's calling it too early their golden child the 356 name..

The joy of marketing is that you tell the customer the info and if you tell them the 914 ?? they have to do some research or remember the shape.. personly I wouldn't be buying a car based on the fact that they built it on an old car style.. do I like the current car or not. If I want a 914 I got out and buy a 914 etc etc..

I personaly think Porsche has an exiting future with less powerful cars for the masses.. I just don't think they should sell themselves short with their marketing aces just yet.. other wise every new basic car will be inspired by the 356 and then it will be all lost in translation..

any way what do I know..I am not getting into a debate. Every one has a view, mine is currently snow..[]