928 Maniac

The way I see it is that a sportscar is supposed to be a road-going derivative of a car manufacturer's race cars, regardless of make or model. That's where the name 'sportscar' derived from - the sport of motor racing. Porsche and Ferrari have always been fore-runners in this field, but I do believe Porsche is losing the plot like Alfa Romeo did.

Hold on a sec before you flame me.

In the early days Porsche, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo used to promote their road cars by proving them on the racetracks. Then Alfa got into financial trouble and started concentrating on building 'other' cars and seriously neglected their 'thoroughbred race car status' in the process. Today they don't have a serious sportscar. Ferrari on the other hand stuck it out in purist racing and look at them today...

As for racing, where are we? Ferrari is king of the hill in F1 and we're left with Porsche-only classes all over the world. In serious sportscar racing we're no match for the big Viper, Panoz, Ferrari, Lister, Mclaren, etc machines. (note all big-displacement front and mid-engined machines, so where's the 911?)

Hell, a 917 could probably still outrun most of them. If Porsche had to build a modern version 917 with new technology we'd be miles ahead, but no, they're designing Harley engines and building SUV's... Way to go!

I hold my head in shame.

Nicole

Thake the Harley engines out of your comments, please. Porsche is not just a car manufacturer (One of the few profitable ones these days), but also an engineering company. They don't design Harley engines for fun, but because they have a lot of knowledge and will further extend it by doing such projects. And it brings a lor of dough in, making the company less dependent on volatile car sales. I, too, have a hard time with the Cayenne project. But maybe it'll look different once I get to see the final product - who knows...

Tabor

I am all for the Cayenne if it brings the 928 back. On the other hand, the new 928 would be possitioned against the Ferrari 550 Maranello, well out of my price range.

I think Porsche needs to re-introduce an entry level sports car.

adrial

Back to racing is where Porsche needs to go...before everybody else (other bands) starts talking some real smack and all we have is history...

Jay Wellwood

Just read this last months Pano (November 2001).

In particular read the first letter on page 30, then the 'Petite LeMans' article on page 36, now add to this the article on page 46 (European Windows).

Put them all together....Porsche fans are yelling (no, make that sceaming) for more race wins.

Face it - the 928 is an excellent GT - which would make a superb race car....

So wheres' the beef? (okay...bad line...but you get my drift!).

Randy V

I think they did Tabor - they called it the Boxster - an entry level sports car in every way.

John.

Boxter: The "look at me Porsche"

John.

I also could not help but notice the 996 TT and the Boxter share the same front fenders and hood. Where is the individuality in buying a new 911?

Porsche started as a "drivers car".....no frills pure fun and performance. Disagree with me if you wish, but the new cars cater to an entirely different market of people.....they have become status cars.

Nicole

I think it always took at least some affluence to afford a Porsche - at least in Europe. Maybe the exchange rate was more favorable to American buyers at times in the past.

W.A.Mozart

Porsche is what you make it. I don't understand the Cayenne part, but every Porsche out there is a thoroughbred. I agree the entry-level sportscar is needed, and I agree the Boxster is it. Indeed less expensive than the 944 was. I am proud to own 3 of them, and I wouldbe proud to own any model Porsche ever made. I believe the quality of Porsche has never been equaled by any other manufacturer. As for designing motorcycle engines, business is business.
Porsche uber alles.

W.A.Mozart

3 Porsches, not three Boxters :-)

928 Brothers

If Lamborghini makes SUVs and Ferrari makes station wagons, then an SUV from Porsche is not such a sin after all.

928 Brothers

928 Brothers

W.A.Mozart

Excellent point. Thank you.