Mechanic

No link is available yet, and I don't have a way to upload the article, but the description and pic of the 718 in the August issue of Automobile magazine certainly are interesting, to say the least.

Much remains to be discovered and reported, of course, but from what I've read so far, I have the impression that what Porsche is planning -- the use of a shortened Boxster chassis (same wheelbase), manual top, lightweight manual seats, etc. -- sounds a lot like the original Speedster ('54-'58), right down to the "Normal" and "Super" versions (for those among us who may remember back that far). Two engines: 2.0 liter 285-hp/295 ft-lb.; and 2.5 liter 360-hp/345 ft.-lb turbocharged four-cylinders. The cover page says "All-New $40k Roadster," but that -- i.e., $40k -- seems unlikely; possible, but unlikely.

The concept pic in Automobile magazine reminds me of V-dub's Blue Sport , right down to the cut lines on the fenders:
http://img.netcarshow.com/Volkswagen...llpaper_03.jpg

ZAPmobile

Saw the article, the car is very enticing! Light weight, close to 400 HP, for the S version, should be a fun car.

TroyN

Not sure why they'd give the small car more power than the Boxster/Cayman (and even the base 911!), seems unlikely.

Z356

We briefly discussed the rumored 718 back in late May at this forum when it was reported by the UK's CAR in an article by Georg Kacher. See post #29 at the following link:

https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...man-gt4-2.html

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel

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meteor10

If it looks anything like that last photo posted by Eduardo, that will be one sexy car.

sjfehr

265/35-20 front wheels on a car that light with so much power? Oh man, I want these rumors to all be true but I'm steeling myself to be severely disappointed.

Plavan

If they made a Spec series (Mini Cup) I would be all over this.

sjfehr

My copy of Automobile just arrived and I jumped right to that article- those photos are not real, but "spy" artist's impressions (they were explicit about it at the end of the article) and completely different from the earlier "photo" Z356 posted, so I'd take any claims or renderings at this point with a grain of salt. If this really is to be a 2600lb baby Boxster, I'd not expect it to have more than 250hp.

CarObsessed

This is not going to happen. The article doesn't contain any statement/quote from Porsche, not even a "news source". In fact, I remember the CEO clearly stating that there wouldn't be a sub $40,000 sports car because existing customers would feel that the brand has diluted. Of course this was a couple of years ago and things could have changed, but I doubt it.

JJ Cleghorne

Automobile magazine says "those in the know say the 718 will be offered with a 2.0 liter variant rated at 285 hp and 295 lb ft of torque as with a bigger bore 2.5 liter flat four good for 360 hp and 345 lb ft." It's going to be a hoot to drive.

bullseye

http://www.automobilemag.com/new_and...sneak-preview/

vantage

Now Automobile mag is reporting that this car has been cancelled / shelved:

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...-718-canceled/

sjfehr

Booo, now all we have to look forward to in this class is the new MX-5, which is going to be fantastically light at 2200lbs, but sounds from the rumor mill like it'll be about 50hp down from where it really should be, and closer in power:weight to the original base 986 than up there with modern performance expectations.

The Pope

http://europe.autonews.com/article/2...mail-ane-daily

il pirata

"We're not talking about entry models at Porsche," said von Platen. "Our entry model is our pre-owned program."

What an idiot. It's not the price (mostly), it's about building a light weight car mid-engine car (read 2500-2600 pounds) with enough horsepower (read 350-400) in both coupe and open top versions with style and Porsche quality.