I asked and got laughed at .. haha

 

great question- and the first part of the answer is that I've been a dealer for 7.5 years. I have been on RL for over 20 years. I don't think Porsche has ever blindsided their dealers by releasing anything, maybe disappointed some people by not offering an option- IE manuals on the 991 GT3/RS. I have been to weissach/flacht multiple times and saw some really wild stuff back in 2009 when I went with a few friends...namely that they were testing the PDK for GT3 engines. I have spoken about this before but they had a frankenstein Grun 997.1 GT3RS that was driving around flacht and on the track and clearly a different shifting noise, hilariously quick. I asked about it and said- is that a sequential? they said no that is double clutch. then we moved on. The most important aspect of this is that they work on cars FOREVER and way before we ever hear about stuff...so the stuff you see in R+D today (2024) could very well be stuff that is going to market in 2027 or later. That length of time is necessary so they can actually produce (mass produce) such a good product. There is a lot that goes into it.

What I have heard about a bunch over the years are some things that either come across as leaks or end up being projects that never materialize because of the production cycle, EPA, or board vetos. The board can DENY a project, or decline to spend the requisite funding- the big one that comes to mind is the 'R8/Mid Engined' supercar rumor from 5-8 years ago. I think there are threads about it on CGT forum or 991 RS forum...the 960 or something like that. Everyone was hoping it would get made, and it never did- basically GT2RS type power and a small v8 turbo... Meanwhile, Porsche/Lambo/Audi all selling various sports cars etc so the idea is 'why cannibalize our sister companies'- this is a very valid sentiment in my mind. Porsche is not a company in a vaccuum, it's part of a giant company. And yes, it's a public company now, so there is more 'independence' but shareholders in VW are PAG shareholders. This is very easy info to look up and realize that yes they all have a lot to lose. We are in a very weird place with hybrid performance needing buy in from an enthusiast standpoint- not just for daily cars like a panamera or Cayenne. They got a lot of feedback requesting 'any type of engine that will fit' in their MissionX concept hypercar. Everyone is raving about this 992.2 GTS. I have yet to drive it, but excited to see how it plays. I have a ton of experience with EV/Hybrid stuff from my other cars (P1, SF90, 296) so I think it can really work if it's applied well.

Anyway- from a timeline perspective...They showed us the GT4RS in September 2019 in Barcelona for the dealer meeting. The also showed us the Cayenne Turbo GT at that point, or maybe even earlier (thinking 992 launch at Palm Springs March 2019).

The hardest part of being on RL sometimes is having non-public information and not wanting to share it. What I have shot down in the past is stuff like the 992.1 GT3RS having a 4.25 L engine which was a very popular rumor in 2022. I shot down that the sport classic would be a GT2RS with a manual (liebermann horrible take on spike's podcast)- as I 'd already seen the car, seen the specs, seen the engine technical data... Another rumored car that never made it was the Cayman Rally car- they had been working on a tarmac rally car for a bit, lots of pics etc. I think the 4RS and Spyder RS cars are a better investment and brand pedigree builder so it worked out well.


Porsche telegraphs their intentions to the dealers MUCH earlier than the Audi and BMW dealers. BMW is usually 2-3 years ahead, Porsche is 4-5 years- we'd known about the Macan EV for as long as I can remember (2017? 2018?). Audi is 6-8 weeks and they ambush people all the time on the facelift cars. McLaren was 3-4 years ahead but I sold that store in 2019, so, totally out of the loop beyond cleaning lady stuff. I have seen some 992.2 stuff last summer at Tenerife and this year in Singapore. It's best to not get overly hyped too many cars into the future- there is great stuff on the ground now and we are lucky to still have cars like the GT3, the Dakar, the Gt3RS, spyder RS, GT4RS etc that are made for relatively hardcore people to have mega fun on road and track and perhaps in the dirt. Porsche has a super rich tradition of wild tech (959, CGT, Taycan) and wild world beating race car type stuff (turbos, Dakar rally, GT3RS ring domination). We are lucky. Look at the poor schlubs who have oil leaks and replaced engines in their 2023 and 2024 Zo6's. Ferraris are getting heavy- no manual option. Lambo ditched the V10 and their Revuelto is slower than a Turbo S despite having 1000hp.

I just want to sell cars, so it really comes down to making plans that parallel what they are going to do, to try and prepare my clients for stuff as early as possible whether that is for a Turbo GT Cayenne, a Dakar, or EV stuff. I don't know everything they are going to do- but they do tell us a lot and I don't forget that stuff.

So, anyone want a Taycan?

 

me too. years of loyalty and numerous vehicles purchased didn't make me anything more than a "good customer"

 

"we are lucky to still have cars like the GT3, the Dakar, the Gt3RS, spyder RS, GT4RS etc that are made for relatively hardcore people"

Sometimes getting caught up in the "what's going to be the next great xxx model" we forget how fortunate we are today - thank you Porsche.

 

1000% agree that Porsche still makes AMAZING cars, it’s really why I have to remind myself how foolish it is to go chase down a 997 RS or whatever previous gen when they’re still making maybe the best ice cars TODAY they’ve ever produced. It’s like wtf am I thinking these old cars for

I drove a little fiat panda hybrid 6-speed manual around lake Como a couple months back for a week and I honestly had so much fun in it. Gave me full confidence any Porsche lightweight with a manual even if it’s hybrid will be so fun.

I can envision a gt3 hybrid that makes just a wild electric gen noise off throttle and then saves some brakes with regen and then just whips on the torque when you power out of a corner. Track day beast 100%

I bet whatever Porsche makes next will be epic. But let’s have fun with what we got today!!!

 

Would love to have a real opportunity on a Dakar or Dakar-like under the 992.2!

 

Conversely, I drove my Spyder RS around Lake Garda about a month ago and realized this is so sad we are losing the NA stuff. @welikethetrack you are correct...that a lot of these 'I am offended I didn't get the latest///' vibes are just a lack of personal gratitude.

Cool cars are great, but have we all tried experiencing the cool cars in cool settings? With cool friends? That's actually the goal here for me- happy to have met a lot of great RLers in the last 20 years.

to @Maxant13 - you can't win em all. Most stores only got 1-2 of the S/Ts. I think it's very tough to be the 'officially undisputed best customer' of a store. I mean I buy a ton of cars through my own store and I'm still probably only the 2nd or 3rd best client we have.

 

Great response. You should probably save it as I guess it comes up often.

 

Absolutely agree! Been lucky enough to do 3 Euro Deliveries with 3 GT cars (981, 991, 992) and those few months were worth the price of admission. Meeting folks from across the globe, sharing laps at Norschliefe, Spa, etc., Alpine drives and great meals. Such a fun and rewarding hobby when done right

 

This is all that I'm chasing now, experiences. Well said.

DRIVE YOUR CARS!

 

This!! It is always the people and the experiences. The cars are just the common denominator. I am grateful for the relationship that has formed from being a "good customer" as well as racing with a great family owned dealership.
I truly cherish capitalism and all that goes with it.

 

One more hint for you guys. It cools down herself by air!

 

356.2 Speedster. I knew it!

 

Im very confused now

 

I shared three specific details until now. Gather them and you’ll have a clear idea of what I’m talking about.