Traction Inc.

Porsche CEO: Small Sports Car Would Hurt Brand

For several years now the rumor mill has had Porsche in talks with parent company VW to introduce a new small sports car platform that would give Porsche a model below the Boxster (which these days starts at $50K). And once again the word from on high is that the project has been cancelled.

CEO Matthias Mueller said this week, “We would do no good to the brand if we were to lose traditional Porsche customers… Possibly we need to wait until the next generation of customers before the idea of a small roadster will work for Porsche.”

Because, you know, historically Porsche buyers have disliked small sports cars.

How ironic then that worry about the loss of ‘traditional Porsche customers’ didn’t impede the rollout of the Panamera sedan, Cayenne sport-ute and the upcoming Macan crossover.

Today 75% of Porsche buyers are buying sedans and SUV’s. A decade ago (‘traditional Porsche customers’ - right?) that number was 0. In any case, it seems that tarted-up Volkswagens must be the new Porsche ‘tradition.’

that911:

tractioninc replied to your post:  Sad thing though is that you can get an early 996 for less than a 993 or even 964. And it’s a faster, more modern, more comfortable car. That has less soul. PS - 996 turbo’s are getting close to $30K these days.

The only problem with 996/997 Carreras is that they don’t have Mezger engines. The M9X based powerplants in more modern 911’s are garbage compared the Mezger engines in early 911’s and GT/Turbo variants of the 996 & 997. They also feel soulless. They are very good cars and I’ve debated buying a 996 Carrera as a DD/track car, but it just isn’t for me. If I had a 993 DD it would be a fairly built and comfortable GT2 Evo replica (my boyhood dream car) and I’d keep my car as a track car.

If you’ve driven a 996 and an aircooled 911/964/993 then I’m sure you understand why most people opt for the aircooled versions. They are great fun to drive and every second in the drivers seat is enjoyable compared to the bland feeling of a base 996/997 Carrera. That being said, I do still like base 996’s & 997’s. I just wouldn’t own one.

For those in the know, there are a few 996’s with Hans Mezger-designed engines and are worth serious consideration: the 911 Turbo, GT2 and GT3.  While the GT cars are track monsters, the Turbo model is truly a supercar for daily driving.  Friendly road manners, stout reliability and all-wheel drive are paired with a 420 (later 450) horsepower powerplant for accessible, awesome speed.  Early examples are over a decade old now, and can be found for the same money as a new Nissan Maxima.  Yeah.

The Porsche Boxster.  Not just for trophy wives.

KW coilovers, GT3 control arms, GT3sway bar, Tarret endlinks, lightweight flywheel, Wevo engine and tranny mounts, 15x7 wheels with 23x9x15 cantilever slicks, Hawk racing pads, X51 oil pan, custom race exhaust,CF and fiberglass deck lids, Recaro seat, etc. 2200 lbs with the top off. Like a Boss.

I’ve finally posted my Goodwood Festival of Speed photos online:

• Main Gallery
• Classic Open Wheel Cars
• Classic Sports Cars
• Modern Open Wheel Cars
• Modern Race Cars
• Modern Supercars
• Concours & Show Cars
• Air Show
• Video Clips

From the Mailbag

I’m not a fan of Porsches. BTDT, got the t-shirt. My wife and I both hated every minute of ownership. We felt it was a glorified VW. You have to buy into the “mystique” of the Porsche to have any desire to maintain one.

I don’t understand why anyone puts up with all the hassles of owning an old 911. If Porsche made econoboxes you’d rag on them constantly and warn people away, but somehow Porsche’s being expensive makes their flaws better somehow? How is that? The more I pay for something the more I want it to be perfect. I’ll accept imperfections in something cheap but I won’t put up with them in something expensive.

I don’t agree with this whatsoever.

I’m willing to forgive a lot if a car is fun and rewarding to drive at the limit. Cars that if you were to jump behind the wheel at autocross or track day, you’d finish your run thinking I HAVE GOT TO GET ONE OF THESE. It’s why I daily drive a turbo Miata and own an E36 M3, and why cars like the S2000 and Elise are on my wish list. Every 911 I’ve had the chance to drive has met this criteria.

When cars are cheap and bothersome they are a POS, but when they are expensive and bothersome they are “eccentric”? As if living with the third world weirdness of an old Porsche makes you a real macho, a man’s man and the chicks will love you for your car (because you can’t get them any other way?).

I think that when cars are old and bothersome, yet still are fantastic to drive, they are worth owning and preserving. If driving an older Porsche doesn’t make you smile or feel alive, pass it on to someone else.

(photo via phatdish)

Old Porsches
Though I’ve driven a number of Porsche’s, I have always wanted to own one of my own.  Much to my wife’s dismay, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to bringing home a cheap 944 project car to flog as an autocross and track rat. But will I be disappointed by a car slower and less fun to drive at the limit than my Miata? I also have a soft spot for Porsche 968’s, but when I last had the chance to buy one I settled on an E36 BMW M3 instead because it offered similar performance yet more practicality and cost less money.  Maybe one day, right?

(photo by Leafy32, via carpr0n)

CEO Matthias Mueller took the reigns at Porsche last year after serving as an executive at Volkswagen, Porsche’s new parent company.  Mueller revealed VW’s plans for its Porsche brand in an interview with Automotive News Europe:

What are your most important objectives?
We want to remain the world’s most profitable car manufacturer and build on this position.
Read as: Heritage and authenticity take a back seat to maintaining industry-leading profits.

What are the greatest challenges facing your product strategy?
Each year we want to bring a new Porsche to market.
Read as: Expect more shared platforms with VW’s other brands.

Can you reach the sales goal set by VW Group boss Martin Winterkorn of 150,000 units by 2015?
Our objective is to have more than 200,000 units a year by 2018.
Counterpoint: Porsches were once exclusive – the company built less than 20,000 cars in 1996.

What new 911 variants will there be in terms of body and drivetrain in 2012?
With the 911, we are up to 22 derivatives. We use this as an example for the other models… We are planning a hybrid concept in each model line.
A Porsche for every niche and every driveway?

Last year, the United States was your largest single market, followed by China and Germany. Will China overtake the United States as your largest market?
I am assuming that our ranking will change. It is likely that in the short term China will become our largest market worldwide, thereby supplanting the United States. 
Read as: To expand sales in China, expect Porsche to focus even more attention on developing sedans, SUV’s and other volume platforms.

Will the next 911 be a sales leader?
No, that’s not achievable because the segment is simply not as big as an SUV or sedan segment.  
Read as: Sedans and SUV’s have become Porsche’s bread and butter.  Sports car sales contribute much more to the brand’s image than its bottom line.

[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

I dig this commercial, but no slick marketing propaganda will sway my belief that Porsche has no business selling rarefied minivans.

alfalasy: “The Bloodlines Are Unmistakable”… I love this commercial ;-)

Me and the Porsche 911 Turbo
So, so, so biblically fast.