Autocar 911 special issue
06-02-2003, 08:48 PM
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Autocar 911 special issue
Apologies for posting this message across several areas, but the article in question covers 911, 964, 993 and 996.
Autocar has produced an interesting and relatively in depth 35 page special celebrating the "911's" forty years of production. The more hardcore purists amongst us may be able to pick holes in various parts of it, but it still makes interesting reading. Apart from road tests of the new GT3 and a comparison of 2003 GT3, '73 2.7 "ducktail" RS, '87 Carrera Clubsport and 993 RS 3.8, it has a fascinating interview with several of those responsible for the iconic car.
Herbert Linge, 75, past road test department Head; Hans Mezger, 73, Flat Six engine developer; Peter Falk, Porsche Race director; August Achleitner, 47, Director product line management Carrera; Bernd Kahnau, 51, 993 project leader and responsible for all current rear wheel drive Carreras; Harm Lagaay, 56, current design boss and past contributor to 924 and 911 models.
The most telling part of the discussion is probably the conclusion - asked the question about the 911 in 2015 by interviewer Peter Robinson, Harm Lagaay is quoted as saying;
"It will be a rear-engined car. We can't tell you any more. We are working on it . We know exactly what we will be doing in 2009, but I can't tell you because it will reveal too much about 2015."
"I'm absolutely convinced the concept can endure for the next 30 to 40 years; the package is so right. We know what we can do. By sticking to the rear-engine concept, we show our customers that we believe in it. the car can go on being rear-engined for at least 15 years, because that gives us two-plus-two seating, with luggage space and unbeatable traction."
"We aren't afraid of change: 964 to 993, then from 993 to 996....all the features are retained. As soon as the the present 911 description is in danger of weakening Porsche, we will have an answer, for the 911 to remain in fashion."
Autocar has produced an interesting and relatively in depth 35 page special celebrating the "911's" forty years of production. The more hardcore purists amongst us may be able to pick holes in various parts of it, but it still makes interesting reading. Apart from road tests of the new GT3 and a comparison of 2003 GT3, '73 2.7 "ducktail" RS, '87 Carrera Clubsport and 993 RS 3.8, it has a fascinating interview with several of those responsible for the iconic car.
Herbert Linge, 75, past road test department Head; Hans Mezger, 73, Flat Six engine developer; Peter Falk, Porsche Race director; August Achleitner, 47, Director product line management Carrera; Bernd Kahnau, 51, 993 project leader and responsible for all current rear wheel drive Carreras; Harm Lagaay, 56, current design boss and past contributor to 924 and 911 models.
The most telling part of the discussion is probably the conclusion - asked the question about the 911 in 2015 by interviewer Peter Robinson, Harm Lagaay is quoted as saying;
"It will be a rear-engined car. We can't tell you any more. We are working on it . We know exactly what we will be doing in 2009, but I can't tell you because it will reveal too much about 2015."
"I'm absolutely convinced the concept can endure for the next 30 to 40 years; the package is so right. We know what we can do. By sticking to the rear-engine concept, we show our customers that we believe in it. the car can go on being rear-engined for at least 15 years, because that gives us two-plus-two seating, with luggage space and unbeatable traction."
"We aren't afraid of change: 964 to 993, then from 993 to 996....all the features are retained. As soon as the the present 911 description is in danger of weakening Porsche, we will have an answer, for the 911 to remain in fashion."
