Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Porsche moving forward with sub-918 supercar

Friday, Mar 25th, 2011 @ 9:39 a.m.

Looking to fill all the holes in its lineup, Porsche is said to be moving forward with a new mid-engine model to slot between the 911 and the upcoming 918. The new model will compete with the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Italia.

“We’re looking to extend the range,” Porsche head Mathias Muller revealed told Autocar. “We’ve got an idea to do another mid-engined model. We’re thinking above the 911 but below the 918 Spyder.”

Although Audi’s next-generation R8 platform would seem like a perfect match for the 458 rival, Porsche said is to be favoring a mix of its own architectures. The new model will likely use a 911 front-end with a Boxster/Cayman rear section, albeit with lighter materials.

“It is entirely possible that we could use a front end that’s similar but not necessarily the same as the 911’s, including components such as the axle and suspension,” said one insider. “The rear end wouldn’t be unlike that of the Boxster/Cayman in architectural terms, just bigger to accommodate a larger mid-mounted engine and gearbox installation, while providing greater overall length and width than the 911.”

Details surrounding the supercar’s powertrain remain a mystery, but Porsche could opt to use the 620 horsepower flat-six used in the GT2 RS. Another option could be the 3.4L V8 showcased in the 918.

Given Porsche’s intended rivals, expect the new supercar to carry a price tag near the $200,000 mark. Porsche expects to sell 3,000 units of the car annually.

References
1.’Porsche plans Ferrari…’ view


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