Car Magazine (UK) reports that Porsche is developing a mid-engined “budget” sportscar to compete with the Mazda MX-5, and sharing platforms with forthcoming Audi and VW versions. With Audi’s R4 having been canceled for competing too closely with Porsche’s Boxster and Cayman models, the new mid-engined platform is being developed to fight in the $35k-$45k segment. The Audi version will likely replace the TT, finally bringing RWD dynamics to its fashion-forward coupe, along with 220hp and 280hp performance trims. The VW version would pack smaller 1.2 and 1.4 liter engines, while details on a Porsche version are still forthcoming. Since an aluminum spaceframe is off the table thanks to high costs, the roadster/coupe could end up weighing as much as 2,200 pounds. So, should Porsche even be considering a version of this VW/Audi sportscar? Product strategy in the new Porsche/VW will be a tricky proposition for some time as the newly unified firm struggles to maintain brand appeal while leveraging its new partnership. For Porsche, the question goes to volume versus brand dilution, and the possiblity of bringing back the 356 brings this dynamic to the forefront. Would a baby-Boxster bring more fans into the Zuffenhausen fan club, or will it degrade the brand and cannibalize TT sales? As usual, the issue comes down to execution. If Porsche can offer a model with vastly superior dynamics than the VW version, it may be worth it. If the new 356 doesn’t differentiate itself enough from VW and Audi verisons, Porsche’s sibling rivalry could bring yet another challenge to the already-tenuous VW-Porsche anschluss.
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There were affordable Porsches for as long as I’ve been alive. The 914. Then 924, 944, and 968. The Boxster should have been more affordable than it is, considering what it is.
Having said that, I welcome a new affordable Porsche. No gimmicks, no frills, no power options. Best would be a smaller mid-engined rear drive sports car with manual convertible top.
Roots revival.
Porsche made its name doing more with less. The 356 was an affordable world-beater. It is about time they get their head out of the clouds (not to mention the SUV sector) and do something along the lines of the 356 again.
–chuck
If parts and service for the ~$35K car will cost anywhere near what they do for the other models, only fools and leasers will take the bait.
For Porsche, the question goes to volume versus brand dilution, and the possiblity of bringing back the 356 brings this dynamic to the forefront.
I thought the Cayenne had already answered that question. Funny that VW was bought by Cayenne money, considering it was a French penitentiary…
i’ll admit this sounds very exciting… however someone should tell them to keep in check or they will end up with too many makes of the same model (cough cough GM)
Keep in mind, the 356 was never cheap in its day. In terms of the incomes (and taxes) of the 1950’s, it was in a similar price/affordability category as 911 is today.
This project sounds more like a 914 redoux.
Interesting possibility. Essentially, a new model positioned below the Cayman and Boxster. If done well, it could compete successfully with the Miata and S2000. I hope Porsche is wise enough to give it a new model number. In every Porsche fan’s mind, 356 is reserved for the pre-911 cars.
If it actually is only 2200 pounds, over 200 hp, and handles like a porsche, they will do fine.
If it’s cloesr to 3200 pounds and handles like a beetle, then it will only hurt the brand.
Had porsche released the Miata, they could have sold it for 10k more and gotten away with it. That ship has now sailed because the competition is much better. This one better be for real.
I’m in agreement with Paul Niedermeyer.
That said, I wish I had never sold my 914. It was in response to the family finance manager telling me; “you can’t afford the both of us”…
I really would like to have revisited that decision.
2200 lbs sounds good to me!
The price is irrelevant here – Porsche is aiming to create a light weight, fun little car along the lines of what they’ve done in the past – those cars were awesome, and if they do it right, they have the know-how to make this car awesome.
The fact that its inexpensive won’t cheapen the brand, considering you still have to pay $75,000 + bend-over-and-grab-your-ankles option prices just to get into their iconic 911.
Which makes me think – this won’t be so cheap in the end once you add options, knowing Porsche and how people are willing to pay a premium price for small cars with lots of features these days.
I say go for it.
Considering what the performance envelope of the current base Boxster is today I really do see how Porsche can manage to slot a car in under that model and still have a relevent product to sell.
The way I see it if Porsche wants a true entry level car it must adjust the rest of its lineup (upwards) to make room for it.
The current Boxster is already an s2000 competitor, it is just severely over-priced for what it is! So what is Porsche going to do make an irrelevent 200hp car that will weigh at least 2500 lbs.
The last time Porsche tried to be affordable was the 1986 revival of the 924 as the 924s and that car was a joke compared to competition that was out there.
affordable in the same vein as a lotus elise. no extras. just a pure driving experience.
i dont want a cheaper/slower boxter. i want a giant killer for a great price.
Bah, brand dilution be damned. I was always a fan of the 944 and 928 even though they were heresy to 911 fans. I hope they keep their promise and aim for the Miata, as in keep the price in Miata territory (which isn’t really cheap anymore once you option it out, now that I think of it).
A lightweight, bare bones sports car from Porsche is exactly what I want. I already love the Boxster and Cayman, anything lighter and cheaper than them with equal or better driving dynamics would be awesome.
They can’t do it. Project managers have become more important than engineers there. The management has lost touch. :-(
Seems like pointless hairsplitting. Why not a four-cylinder Boxster? When the Boxster was originally conceived (in the dark days of the early 90s, when Porsche was in bad shape), it was intended to have both four- and six-cylinder power, but when it finally appeared, the economy had improved enough that they went with the more expensive/profitable model.
As “an S2000 fighter” seems perilous, given that I don’t think the S2000 has ever sold in particularly impressive numbers. Although I think that IS mostly a matter of badge cachet, and if the S2000 had been German, it would’ve been a bigger hit. It’s more hardcore than the Boxster, if not as pretty.
So, it’s going to be more or less a Miata that sells for S2000 money, but with a much higher price tag and far nastier repair costs than either. I don’t know about you, but I think I’d just buy an S2000.
Oh, and VW and Audi will get variants? There’s six layers of stupid here…
The fact that its inexpensive won’t cheapen the brand, considering you still have to pay $75,000 + bend-over-and-grab-your-ankles option prices just to get into their iconic 911.
In this economy, I’ll bet you can get a Cayman with decent options for no more than $50k if you are willing to take one of the dealer’s lot. Used ones should be proportionately cheaper. If you have cash in your pocket, this is a wonderful time to get a bargain on a high end car. I wish I had waited another year to go car shopping.
@Kendahl:
I think next year will be an even better time to go high end shopping.
And that’s not really good news.
I’d love to see the 356 make a comeback…but I always thought that the Boxter is pretty much it…I don’t see how there can be room for both, the Boxter AND the 356.
If anything, the 356 should be slotted above the Boxter, but then it would interfere with the 911…too bad.
The folks who brought you Cayenne cannot possibly be worried about brand dilution.
Brand delusion is irrelevant to me, still I want a quality product. I want an R8 like car with a nimbler chassis and Boxer-6. Also a lighter boxter like car again nimbler and more playful and secure. A car that sweeps corners with lightness and finesse. A car light on its feet, responsive and very very lively, yet a peach to play with. Smooth I want incredible smoothness with all that, while still a car that scrambles and lets be push it faster. Yet still easy on my nerves. I want it loose yet stable and well sorted. Sorted beyond words. Oh and comfy. I want it to boaster my confidence yet keep feel loose and competent and very very capable. I want an intelligent vehicle. An extremely dynamic dance partner.
Well.
I think I found my next car.
The Boxster is so expensive, there’s still plenty of wiggle room below it.
You answered your own question with this:
If Porsche can offer a model with vastly superior dynamics than the VW version, it may be worth it. If the new 356 doesn’t differentiate itself enough from VW and Audi verisons, Porsche’s sibling rivalry could bring yet another challenge to the already-tenuous VW-Porsche anschluss.
Landcrusher also did a very good job answering the question:
If it actually is only 2200 pounds, over 200 hp, and handles like a porsche, they will do fine.
If it’s cloesr to 3200 pounds and handles like a beetle, then it will only hurt the brand.
What is it going to be? A cheap Porsch or a expensive Volkswagen.The 914 was a failure.A contradiction.VW thought they found a replacement for the Karmann Ghia.Porsche could not pull the project by themselves either.Brand delusion does not work.
How does it both “compete with the Mazda MX-5” and “fight in the $35k-$45k segment”? Sounds like it would straddle the divide between the S2000 and Elise.
I think there’s too much overlap with the TT, although the TT has become something of a woman’s car as of late. A Porsche spinoff might have more of a male bias.
The S2000 is dead. Even if it weren’t, the Boxster S is 310 hp. Considerably more powerful and more torquey than the tweaker 4 banger in the Honda. The early Boxster did compete with the S2000…but that was 10 years ago now. I’m a lifelong Porsche fan and a 911 owner. I don’t get the Cayenne. But a basic, lightweight roadster is what Porsche should have been building all along. I’ve always been disappointed in how the Boxster turned out so large and bloated, with huge overhangs. I’m really…really happy with the direction the auto industry is headed. Smaller, lighter, more nimble…