delisedesign

the pure and simple fact is that only a car designed and engineered in a similar mindset can be compared to any porsche.....and that mindset is that of a sophisticated, european touring vehicle that cant be classified as just one thing, but rather a jack of all trades....and a master of 1- beautiful design

now, i greatly respect the corvette, I believe the '65 split window is one of the greatest designs of all time. but to say that it is a direct comparison to the 928 is a tad shallow- yes, the later vettes have a front mounted v8 with 300+ hp... yes, to a layperson squinting their eyes, they have a similarly long hood, long front overhang and sloped roofline...but to say that it would deliver anywhere close to a similar 'feeling' is like saying Budweiser will get you drunk just the same as Guinness will. (im NOT saying the vette is the Budweiser of sports cars, its just a metaphor guys)

to address the question, one has to ask what it is about the 928 that really makes it special- the way the door clicks when opened, the smell of the german interior, the wooshing purr of the engine, the airplane-like sound of the ignition, the unique combination of three different classes of vehicles (muscle car, hatchback, GT).... when you analyze the way these things stimulate your senses, then it begins to make sense how the marketing team came up with the slogan 'there is no substitue' - because there really isnt....
the sad fact is that as much as the designers, engineers, and even Friedrich himself wanted the 928 to be above all others, it was only perceived to 'compete' with cars like the corvette out of pure circumstance of the market that existed at the time. the fact that it cost almost 1/3 more hailed to the car as a concept more than competitor- heck, the 928 wasn't even that successful from a business perspective...but Porsches were never meant to be successful as anything other than racing pedigree and timeless, unique designs...
Id rather drive a car that delivers on the true emotion of the vehilce, rather than what a Motortrend or consumer reports magazine would compare it to.

so, outside of horsepower, price, legroom, or whatever else the masses like to use to compare cars, heres what i humbly believe are good candidates for delivering what our cars are really all about- Grand Touring:

BMW 850


Aston Martin DB7


Maserati Gransport


Ferrari 456 Gt


the closest design Ive seen in terms of purity, sexiness, and overall proportion to the 928 is this one off Zagato Alfa Romeo concept that showed up to the Villa D'este Concours d'Elegance show earlier this year....it will never make production, but I believe that it will help set a benchmark enjoy, and should eliminate most any other 'contendors' to a good 928 comparison.







-sorry for excessive pic size- Im sure you guys dont mind.....

Tony320

damn, that Alfa is one good lookin' machine. Pretty similar to what I'd expect a redesigned 928 to look like too.

buuuut..... I'd have to say that this is the 928 equivalent:

or perhaps antithesis

atb

On a smaller scale:

Panzer9

The Purest automotive Designs are IMO:



Daytona Coupe

Porsche 928 S4, GT, GTS

Maserati Gran Turismo

Ferrari GTO

jedijeff123

I'd say it's very similar to the 300ZX 2+2 TT, but those were only sold in the JDM and Euro markets. But it really is, Nissan brand name aside. Complicated, advanced, stylistically capturing...incredibly expensive to maintain...

RyanPerrella

No, its much prettier!

who the hell ever puts people in the back of the 928 anyway? The parcel shelf in back of the Vantage is arguably as useful for hauling around extra bodies as are the "seats" in the 928

James Bailey

The closect is a NEW 911..... same size , similar power,similar weight, water cooled, Weisach rear suspension and it is also a PORSCHE ! will do everything a 928 does only BETTER !

IcemanG17

The new 911's pretty much became rear engined 928's.....

However staying with front engine rear drive.....the BMW 6 series is close, but more 850-like....honestly my E92 M3 is very 928-like....V8 that sounds great, supercar performance in a package you can drive everyday with ease....with great build quality and luxury features....

James Bailey

With stability management and modern ABS there is nothing wrong with the engine in the rear. Actually gives better traction in acceleration and braking. 50/50 weight distribution is NOT ideal just far better than the typical 60% front 40% rear of many front engine rear drive cars........which is one reason why F-1 cars are not 50/50

James-man

Jim, whats with all this 928 blasphemy? Losing your religion?

RPetty

Sorry guys
It's got t be the
Panamera!!!

James Bailey

Not at all just find it funny that Porsche has redesigned and enginered the 911-996-997 into just about the same thing as the 928 WAS. So much so that they now need a light weight cheaper "sports car" .The Cayman was just a step it that direction.....there will be another "924/944" complete with VW engines.

RyanPerrella

someones smoking crack!

blown 87

While the midyears are great looking cars, they are far from great cars.

PS, no such thing as a 65 split window, it was one year only in 63, Zora hated it, so it had to go.
They are scary at speed, unstable is a good word for them.

James Bailey

You got that one right ! so in laws big block 1965 4 speed at least had disc brakes but not a nice driving car......the worn rear suspension may have been part of that Great LOOKING body but horrible front end lift at speed ! The improved ladder frame was much better that the 1952 designed frame used up until 1962 but still not very good .