Porsche Panamera-Derived 928 Successor Caught Testing!
Believe it or not, our sources tell WINDING ROAD that these two are kin. Oh, the intrigue, children.
It's understood that Porsche is poised for a model lineup expansion frenzy. With the paint on the first batch of Caymans barely dry, plans are afoot for the much-anticipated four-door Panamera (expected late 2009), along with a Bugatti-chasing Carrera GT successor.
But our spies report that an all-new fifth model line is expected to debut in 2010 - a front-engined, two-to-2+2 seating GT Coupe in the mold of the 928, and that the above mule is its primitive forebearer. The business case for a GT coupe makes complete sense, with the market for high-end grand tourers having grown markedly since the 928 fell from Porsche's catalogs. The market has seen the arrival of everything from Ferrari's 599 GTB to Bentley's Continental GT and the entire Aston Martin range, and Porsche is understandibly keen to get in on the action.
Spymeister Hans Lehmann and his sources report that economies of scale virtually necessitate the existence of the GT Coupe, which is expected to be based heavily on the Panamera (shown above). In fact, the two-door is expected have at least 60 percent parts commonality, including a shortened platform, engines, transmissions, and suspension corners. Some parts may also be donated from the front-engined Cayenne.It's expected that the Cayenne, Panamera and GT will be offered with a range of normally aspirated and turbo'd V8 and V10 (Carrera GT derived) engines, putting out between 300 horsepower and 650 horsepower, with engines varying between four and six liters.
As seen in these spy shots, at least one early GT Coupe mule is operating underneath the skin of a much-modified 928. While its Leonard Part 6-esque (sans cannon) are of comedic value, what's underneath is serious stuff—a much wider suspension, externally-mounted (and how!) oversize air intake and exhaust mufflers, along with surface-mounted radiators. Lehmann explains that by mounting the aforementioned on the outside of the vehicle, the engine, transmission, and suspension can be isolated from the NVH generated by said components.
As Porschephiles are reportedly already anxiously awaiting the Panamera, it will be interesting to see how many closet 928 believers come out of the woodwork, checkbooks in hand.
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Comments
bridger.us » Archive » Craziest Testing Mule Ever
[...] Look at the second picture - it’s better than you can imagine. [...]
Ben
Looks like a 350Z, I think I like the 928 with the monster muffler. ha ha
Mo
looks sort of like a Z, mixed with the old 928. I ain't a porsche fan they are so over-rated.
Nolan
I think I like it...sort of like 350Z mixed in with Carrera GT mixed in with Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
Clay
it looks nice. i like it.
Tom
When the sedan looks better, that's bad.
Bertha Venation
**OH DEARIE ME**
Antony Oseitutu
Nice. Porsche makes great cars. Anyone that says bad things about them, I have noticed has never even driven one let alone own one. Take that from a carrera Gt man...But I admire the entire model line up starting with the boxster which has similarities to the super carrera gt like mid engine set up...
VPf2
I agree with Antony. Porsche`s are great cars. Well i think Porsche are better than Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Leonard
The 928 was introduced to the world at the Geneva car show of March 1977 and is the only 'sports car' ever to be made Car of the Year!
The Porsche 928 remains the best Grand Tourer ever made. Just ask anyone from the huge worldwide community of 928 owners and enthusiasts.
mark.kelly@brownjames.com.au
There are 2 camps of thought about Porsches excursions into 4X4 and sedans. There are of course the purists for whom the 911 is the iconic representation of Porcshe.
I think we should bear in mind that the 928, which in my opinion is one of the best aged cars in existance was probably thought of as a travesty by purists at it's release. Time mellows our views on things and perhaps one day we will look at the new Porsche derivatives as logical extensions of the brand..............
fil
I would redesign the tail to make the 4-door a true sedan, changing other details along the way until it looked much less like a well-used bar of soap. The coupe is bound to be a success, but if this is how their 4-door is going to look...
With the Cayenne, Porsche dedicated themselves to producing the best (if not best-looking) entry it could possibly offer into the SUV segment. Like it or don't, there it is, and it will probably not go away very soon.
A front-engined coupe is not much of a risk for Porsche, but with the sedan they will have to be much, much more careful. No matter how good it is, if it retains that goofy rear end and questionable roofline, Porsche will not see a very good return on their investment.
My advice would be to farm the design out to Bertone, and quit trying to make the 4-door look so much like other Porsches...
Jim
As a 928 owner I must say I'm intrigued. Then again I was never in the market for a sedan when I bought my GT and can't say Porsche would be my first stop if I were (esp. if the size depicted in the renderings above are at all accurate).
Winding Road » Archive » Porsche’s Panamera 4-Door Developme
[...] This mule certainly has its corporate face on, with very 911-esque light clusters, fenders, and hoodline. That said, the remainder of the car looks decidedly half-baked, particularly in the rear, where the car appears to curtail too abruptly in light of the very long hoodline. That said, the Hans Lehmann renderings we showed you earlier appear to be solidly in the ballpark. [...]
Winding Road » Archive » Best Shots Yet Of Porsche’s Panamer
[...] The first lady of the Nürburgring, better known as Brenda Priddy, has reeled in some even clearer shots of Porsche’s upcoming Panamera. The car isn’t expected to get its official debut until the 2009 Geneva show, but the car is already quite far along in development. [...]
Winding Road » Archive » A Real “West Virginia Classic”: The
[...] Word is that Porsche’s upcoming Panamera four-door will spawn a 928 successor, so West Virginians, consider yourselves warned. + eBay: 1980 Porsche : 928 [...]
LCM
I like what I'm seeing- not such a fan of the 'bug' lookalikes with their rear-engine. But if this car is anything like its predecessor, this front-engine car will beat the Cayenne off the road as a sedan ...now THOSE things are ug-layyy
gramm
COOL CAR!!! I love porsche, as well any german auto company. I'm only 12 and I studied porsche and other german company for 3 years, mercedes, porsche, audi maybach, fiat you name it and this is the best porsche I've ever seen. With $150,000 parents I think I can so afford it. And anybody who hate's the porsche panamera I want to be destroyed!!!!!!!
Sampson
Nice competition for the M5. Don't know though. I may still take the next generation of M5 over the Panamera.
Critic
i'm sorry, but that car is ugly. Porsche have no imagination what so ever!
its just a 997 streched out to fit 4 doors. ewww
johnexist
How beautiful the last two pictures of car are! I am amazed that Critic said, this car is ugly. Of course there may be cars more beautiful than does not mean that it is ugly. Huh, for critic it may be ugly for me it is so beautiful.
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