Does Porsche need a Bangle?
- Thread starter Guest
- Start date
I think one of the attractions for me of my 996 is that you can see the lineage back through the various evolutions of the 911. Indeed, take any model 911 and there are particular cues that follow through each version.
There are also bits of design DNA shared by all models (not just the obvious things like headlights). For example when I first saw the Carrera GT I knew it was a Porsche before I read the caption.
To refer to my previous comment, a mid-engined V8 with outlandish supercar styling would be a very interesting Porsche, but IMHO a 911 in name only [&:]
Next thing you know, they will be making them watercooled [
]
There are also bits of design DNA shared by all models (not just the obvious things like headlights). For example when I first saw the Carrera GT I knew it was a Porsche before I read the caption.
To refer to my previous comment, a mid-engined V8 with outlandish supercar styling would be a very interesting Porsche, but IMHO a 911 in name only [&:]
Next thing you know, they will be making them watercooled [
]
Guest
New member
ORIGINAL: will_t
As long as it's at least six and an even number I don't mind.
Will[
997 should have gone with a 7 cylinder engine - now theres a gimmick! [
]This thread is a great read. I think Porsche need to be careful not to squeeze the 911 out by making it unnecessary with the existence of other model lines. A big GT is a nice idea, but with the smaller and ever faster Boxster below the 911, what would the point be of a 911? Maintaining the heritage of the 911 is important in physical design terms and it still works despite the difficulties of engineering such a layout - with all the development that has happened over the last 40 years, it would seem daft to change the format of the 911 now. People still buy it. But the 911 heritage is also a philosophical one (maybe not the right word...) in that it represents excellence, quality, development through competion (i.e. sport), tactility (i.e. how it 'feels' to the driver). Maybe these things are what future 911 designers should concern themselves with (especially quality!) rather than worrying about how they should adjust the outline of fried-egg style headlamps, or whether there will be uproar if they were to move the engine 6cm forward. Such attributes have the happy side effect of rubbing off on other model lines too, more often than not. I reckon there is less and less to be achieved in the technological advancement of fossil-fuelled powered cars, and I think Porsche would be wise not to get dragged in to the big-BHP games being played by other manufacturers. Make the car better than the competition - it doesn't need to be faster on paper. The great thing about the basic 911 design even today is that it's versatility allows for GT style heavyweights (GT2) and stripped out lightweights (RS) alongside everyday useable and comfortable sports cars (a base C2 tip for example). Those who have said that the Boxster should be the brand to bangle with are probably right - but Porsche couldn't have taken such chances with it originally. Now that it is established they should certainly be more adventurous and different to the 911. This would allow the 911 to have more space to be individual too, as would making the boxster cheaper (say 25 grand).
Getting to the original question, at last, I think it is less important for Porsche to have a Bangle than it was for BMW, which have been incredibly bland for years and really needed to stand out more. JohnH and I have similar opinions about Bangle's designs, so I won't repeat them. Except that I think the Z4 works. But Porsche do need to step forward with the 911 more than they have done, and they need to leap forward with the Cayenne and Boxster. The 997 will be a step back, looks wise (and no bad thing for that) but ultimately it will win few new buyers. The Cayenne was an opportunity missed (and with the boxster selling strongly, why not take a risk?) and was a lazy way to get into a new market.
Sorry for length - is anyone still awake?[
]
924nutter
PCGB Member
Yes I was just thinking the same, a flat 7 boxer-motor, now there's a balancing challenge.ORIGINAL: david_968
ORIGINAL: will_t
As long as it's at least six and an even number I don't mind.
Will[
997 should have gone with a 7 cylinder engine - now theres a gimmick! [
This thread is a great read. I think Porsche need to be careful not to squeeze the 911 out by making it unnecessary with the existence of other model lines. A big GT is a nice idea, but with the smaller and ever faster Boxster below the 911, what would the point be of a 911? Maintaining the heritage of the 911 is important in physical design terms and it still works despite the difficulties of engineering such a layout - with all the development that has happened over the last 40 years, it would seem daft to change the format of the 911 now. People still buy it. But the 911 heritage is also a philosophical one (maybe not the right word...) in that it represents excellence, quality, development through competion (i.e. sport), tactility (i.e. how it 'feels' to the driver). Maybe these things are what future 911 designers should concern themselves with (especially quality!) rather than worrying about how they should adjust the outline of fried-egg style headlamps, or whether there will be uproar if they were to move the engine 6cm forward. Such attributes have the happy side effect of rubbing off on other model lines too, more often than not. I reckon there is less and less to be achieved in the technological advancement of fossil-fuelled powered cars, and I think Porsche would be wise not to get dragged in to the big-BHP games being played by other manufacturers. Make the car better than the competition - it doesn't need to be faster on paper. The great thing about the basic 911 design even today is that it's versatility allows for GT style heavyweights (GT2) and stripped out lightweights (RS) alongside everyday useable and comfortable sports cars (a base C2 tip for example). Those who have said that the Boxster should be the brand to bangle with are probably right - but Porsche couldn't have taken such chances with it originally. Now that it is established they should certainly be more adventurous and different to the 911. This would allow the 911 to have more space to be individual too, as would making the boxster cheaper (say 25 grand).
Getting to the original question, at last, I think it is less important for Porsche to have a Bangle than it was for BMW, which have been incredibly bland for years and really needed to stand out more. JohnH and I have similar opinions about Bangle's designs, so I won't repeat them. Except that I think the Z4 works. But Porsche do need to step forward with the 911 more than they have done, and they need to leap forward with the Cayenne and Boxster. The 997 will be a step back, looks wise (and no bad thing for that) but ultimately it will win few new buyers. The Cayenne was an opportunity missed (and with the boxster selling strongly, why not take a risk?) and was a lazy way to get into a new market.
Sorry for length - is anyone still awake?[
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