seis-speed

My apologies if this post is completely absurd, but reading this 992 forum and talking with other Porsche owners.....

Why could't Porsche build a smallish 911 for a three year run around 300-350hp, but similar in size to a 996 or 997 and call it a classic model?
No need for latest tech or future hybrid accommodation it could be manual only, 18" wheels, etc....no need for touting performance specs.

The allure would be the size and feel.

IMO, it would appeal to all the 911 fans that won't buy a new one due to the size being too big, also not wanting a Cayman, due to 911 admiration.
I think they could charge 90-100k for a 2021 911 'Classic'......would you buy it? Is something like this completely absurd?
Seems like people will pay large amounts for an old school 911 driving experience, why doesn't Porsche capitalize on that market?

Ksdaoski

Same reason Ferrari decided not to sell a new Dino model, or an OPP version.

They don't need to.

Printing money at current pricepoint, don't need to trade down the AUR

And wouldn't want to water down the namesake.

rk-d

“Let’s make a cheaper version and cannibalize sales of our super profitable halo car”

Don’t quit your day job.

And yes - this would be the dream car for a lot of people. And it will never happen. People who want to buy a 911, buy the 911. If it means buying a $120k+ sports car they don’t really need, they will still do it to scratch that itch. And Porsche profits handsomely from that market. A cheaper bare bones version would not add sales - only reduce profits.

The only way I could see Porsche making such a car...is by charging MORE for it.

sampelligrino

Not to mention rules/regulations and that buzzkill stuff for safety/environment etc.... (half kidding)

Can't take credit for this perspective but I find OP's question asked quite a bit in spite of the bigger/heavier/more tech laden car trend. Granted it's a Lotus and not a Porsche, but cars like the Elise or Evora should theoretically sell like hotcakes then. I think we always want what we can't have but the manufacturers know what they are doing for the most part...

slc4s

i mean... isn't this what the boxster/cayman is?

ipse dixit

No one would buy them.

Or at least not enough people would buy them.

uniqueMR

True

Bob Z.

The people that want what you describe buy a Singer or comparable custom build - Porsche has enough models in its portfolio.

rk-d

I think if Porsche offered their version of a Singer (hot rod, small, analog, exquisitely made) at $150k, that joker would sell out. Never going to happen, obviously.

ipse dixit

Porsche couldn't offer such a car.

It would not meet government safety and crash standards.

rk-d

That’s why I said their version - it would just need to be small, <3k pounds, analog and rear engined. It wouldn’t be an air-cooled car, but it could be very cool.

They’ll never do it because it’s insane.

ipse dixit

There's no market for a car like that.

Just ask Lotus.

rk-d

Lotus can’t touch the 911 in terms of enthusiasm, heritage, importance. No one buys Lotus because no one cares about Lotus.

A bare bones but jewel-like small 911 that recaptures the spirit of the air cooled cars would sell. I don’t think it would sell like a modern 911. Not practical enough. But as a special model, I have a hard time believing people wouldn’t eat up a car like that.

Pointless exercise anyway. It will never happen and we’ll never know.

seis-speed

What if it was only 300hp?
That is a big enough gap to stay away from a 992 base.

I know there is the Cayman, but I think the allure of a rear-engine, 2x2. classic 911 has more appeal.
Personally, I just notice how many people are clamoring for a smaller/lighter model among 911 fans.
Maybe it is completely absurd and the cost to develop would be outrageous, but I don't think one more 911 model with a completely different audience would water down a 911 lineup that already has 24 variants.

frankchn

The most stripped down version of the 991 is probably the 991R at 3020 lbs and anything substantially smaller or lighter will have to be designed as a new chassis ($$$).

It also has to adhere to modern standards of fuel efficiency etc..., so it will probably need to include EPAS. There goes much of your market who wants an old-school 911 driving experience with hydraulic (or even unassisted) steering.

In any case, my experience is that the people who really want an "old school 911" driving experience will settle for nothing less than an actual old school 911. Any modern design, even if it is the same size and weight as a 993 won't be received well, unless it is an exact carbon copy of it (which won't happen because of safety/emissions regulations).

Everyone says they want a "pure driving experience" and a "smaller, lighter" car, but I believe when push comes to shove, there won't be enough of a market for it. Just look at the Alpine A110 -- widely praised as a great driver's car, but they are looking at selling maybe 5000 units this year if they are lucky, and for Porsche, these sales figures really isn't enough to justify the development expense. Much easier to just build more GT3s