911 Porsche CEO confirms Ferrari-fighter above 911

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Recently, we received word that Porsche was prepping a Ferrari-fighting model that would slot above the 911 and below the upcoming 918 within the Porsche lineup, and now, we have confirmation that this new sports car is, in fact, on its way.

The German automaker was tired of seeing Ferrari face little competition in its class. Matthias Mueller, Porsche CEO, is pushing the automaker to produce a sports car that will cost between 250,000 and 400,000 Euros (about $363,000 to $580,000), and has its sights set squarely on taking sales away from Italy's prancing horse.

For now, that's about all we have in the way of details. Still, we expect good things – we certainly won't turn away at the idea of one more Porsche sports car out on the road.

Porsche CEO confirms Ferrari-fighter above 911

 

[Merc1]

Porsche is really something. Talk of a Flat-8 engine on some other sites. Amazing. If they build this car does that mean that it has to outperform any and all versions of the 991 911?


M

 

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Porsche is considering engineering a flat-eight boxster engine for its Ferrari-rivalling supercar, company bosses have admitted.
At the first unveiling of the new 991-series 911, Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche head of Research and Development said such an engine was ‘possible’. He told Autocar: "We have to go into that market properly equipped.".
See a picture of Porsche's previous flat-eight machine
This week Porsche CEO Mathhias Müller said he was ‘irritated’ that Porsche didn’t compete with Ferrari in the 250,000 Euros-plus price range. He said there was space for a car like the seminal 1980s high-tech 959 model.
Porsche engineers have long been frustrated by the fact that the company’s iconic flat-six engine cannot be extended much beyond 4.0-litres. It’s also felt that in the Ferrari-dominated market, eight cylinders are a pre-requisite.
Moving to a larger engine would also differentiate the new model from the new 911 and next-generation Cayman range. It’s thought that the creation of such an engine has been made easier by the engineering working currently being done on the new turbocharged flat-four engine, which will be offered in Porsche’s planned entry-level roadster. This all-new motor is thought to be modular, allowing it to be extended into the next-generation flat-6 and a flat-8.
Hatz also said that a development of the Carrera GT’s ultra-compact transmission could be used for the new model. Such a transmission would free-up space for the use of the longer eight-cylinder engine.
"We could develop it, of course, One of the key issues is where we put the differential, but it is a possibility," he said.
In 1969 Porsche built two flat-eight equipped versions of the mid-engined 914, one of which was given to Ferry Porsche (Ferdinand Porsche’s son) for his 60th birthday. The other is in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Despite the concept’s age, the 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine was still good for nearly 300bhp.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/258874/

 

[Soup]

So we'll be seeing something like 0 - 200km/h under 10s ?

 

[Zonda]

Porsche is really something. Talk of a Flat-8 engine on some other sites. Amazing. If they build this car does that mean that it has to outperform any and all versions of the 991 911?


M

A flat 8 would be incredible, I'd love to see that! Any guesses on when we can expect some spy shots?

 

[LaArtist]

So this is another model beside the 700+hp 918 they are planning to make?

And if so then this should slot in between the 911 and that rare limited 918.. and should be a normal production porsche??

If so then ..

 

[SKY]

A flat eight... I can´t imagine any engine config as sweet as this. Can any engine expert (Sunny, martinbo) let us know his opinion?.

 

[Levi68]

+1001 Porsche



Flat8 is the best engine configuration possible. It is short, 4 cylinders inline, low, balanced like no other eight cylinder, has all advanages of flat. If the 911 with its "bad" engine placement can keep up with the most powerfull supercars, thanks to its flat engine, what then about a falt8 put in the right place. This engine will also sound as no other engine in the world.

Now, Porsche please keep it NA and good for over 600 PS, keep the weight under 1200 kg, and bring also out an RS version.

 

[Tarek]

So this car will battle which Ferrari exactly?..the Turbo/S or GT2 battles all versions of the Italia and the 991 carrera is fighting California so will this new model fights 599 or FF?

 

[LaArtist]

^599 no doubt..

 

[Levi68]

I would say 458 Scuderia as 458 Italia stands no chance. Everybody knows, whether one likes Porsche or not, it is the best, at least today. I can't think of any better daily drivable sportscar than the 911, any better 'light' sportscar than the Cayman, any better SUV than the Cayenne, any faster 4 door sedan than the Panny.

 

[Tarek]

No..the GT2/RS battles the italia scuderia..this new car is definitely goin for future 599/GTO.

 

[klier]

A flat eight... I can´t imagine any engine config as sweet as this. Can any engine expert (Sunny, martinbo) let us know his opinion?.

You probably don't care as I am not an expert like they are, but all I can say is that everything is superior about a flat eight compared to a V8. Everything except the size of the engine. But you can work with that if you design the car around it, and not the other way around...

^599 no doubt..

Yeah, or better, the car that Ferrari replaces it with. 599 is on it's last legs too..
But the Italia battles with high end 911 models, so this new Porsche will go higher up. Between the 911 and 918 sounds perfect to me.

Oh, and this thread doesn't belong in the 911 section. It should be in the Porsche lounge or something....

 

[Centurion]

Ferrari alone? So Lamborghini is not considered a rival? ouch!

 

[LaArtist]

^but thats like stabbing yourself..they kind of own Lambo..muhahaha

 

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Will Porsche be forced to use next-gen Audi R8 platform for Ferrari 458 rival?

In 2010, Porsche and Audi were both understood to be vying for the chance to provide future sports car platforms for the entire Volkswagen Group. Not to take anything away from Audi, but few would be surprised to learn that Porsche was chosen for the task.

It seems that Porsche had plans for the platform as early as March of 2011, considering it might underpin a Ferrari 458 competitor that would slot in between its own 911 and 918 Spyder. If such a car is made, what it is based on now seems to be a matter of timing: if Porsche produces its new model soon, a report in Autocar says VW wants it built on the next-generation R8 chassis that will also support the coming Lamborghini Gallardo. The overlords apparently feel that the aluminum and carbon fiber structure will be good enough for Porsche's light heavyweight challenger.

That might not be good enough for Porsche – at least according to Autocar, which suggests that Porsche might wait all the way until 2020 to produce its rumored supercar. By then, all of the group's sports cars will be on Porsche-designed platforms, so the Stuttgart firm won't need to accept one from across the aisle.

Will Porsche be forced to use next-gen Audi R8 platform for Ferrari 458 rival?

 

[Levi68]

Why can't Porsche use the Cayman? Make it stiffer if it isn't stiff enough, but I doubt it is not stiff, use more Alu/CF when possible and put a 911 GT3 engine. I mean, they could get a better car with 500 PS and 200 kg less than the rivals. Please no turbo. The MP4-12C is good, but other than the LF-A nothing can rival the 458 Italia's engine.