2012 Porsche 928.

[Quiggs]

Originally Posted by C&D.com

BY TONY QUIROGA, November 2006

The 928, Porsche’s front-engine entry in the coupe GT market, never quite enjoyed the success of the signature sports car, the 911. Since Porsche stopped producing the 928 in 1995 after an 18-year run, the German automaker has gone without a front-engine coupe to compete with the likes of the BMW M6, Jaguar XKR, Aston-Martin DB9, and Mercedes CL-class. The 911, which remains much more the pure sports car than any of the coupes, has gradually moved farther upmarket and provides a sporting alternative to those cars, but it now appears that Porsche is developing a more direct competitor for the front-engine GTs, a coupe that sources suggest will be in showrooms by 2011. Porsche might even name it the 928.

Built on the platform that will underpin Porsche’s 2009 Panamera four-door sports sedan, the unnamed two-door will ride on a shorter wheelbase but will share at least 60 percent of its parts with the Panamera. The sedan’s control-arm front suspension and multilink rear will likely get firmer tuning in keeping with the coupe’s sporting pretense. The shorter wheelbase will reduce the coupe’s weight and improve its handling, but the reduction will come at the expense of rear-seat space. As in the 911, the back seats will likely only be suitable for children, insolent teens, and mothers-in-law.

Coupe buyers will choose from a selection of Porsche’s next-generation direct-injection-equipped V-8 engines. The Cayenne SUV will also get these new V-8s. Power is expected to be about 350 horses upward, with turbo versions making in excess of 500. There are rumors regarding a possible 6.0-liter V-10, which would reportedly make about 650 horsepower. Transmission choices should mirror those found in the Panamera — a seven-speed, dual-clutch DSG in the automatic role and a six-speed manual for those who insist on traditional shifting. There are no plans for an all-wheel-drive version. Like the 928 that preceded it, this coupe will be rear-wheel drive, with a transaxle helping to balance weight distribution.

Pricing for this front-engine Porsche will likely begin where the naturally aspirated 911’s leaves off, a base version of the coupe going for about $100,000, with prices of higher-horsepower versions rising quickly into the rare $150,000-plus stratosphere, where the Bentley Continental GT rules.

Discuss.

[lightweight]

The best concept sketch on the topic so far.

It remains to be seen whether the real thing will resemble this

[man 430gt]

Front reminds me of a 612..

[syko]

Originally Posted by man 430gt

Front reminds me of a 612..

except this looks much better

but why so far away 6 years is a long time to wait

[Piacki_117]

Those chops look pretty good.

[baddabang]

That is one nice looking sketch.


I dont think it will have any trouble competing in the market, that is as long as Porsche takes their time and keeps the design similar to the sketch and as far away from the Cayenne as possible

[m5child]

Originally Posted by syko

except this looks much better

but why so far away 6 years is a long time to wait

I hope people don't forget about for so long... but why 6 years? i'd understand 2-3 years, but 6???

[:Exige:]

Originally Posted by lightweight

The best concept sketch on the topic so far.

It remains to be seen whether the real thing will resemble this

Seeing as the front and rear pictures don't resemble each other, I'd guess not. The front pic is just a DB9 rear, Boxster grilles and CGT bonnet melded together.

[kigango123]

whether it is sketch or real life, i like it look like a porshe panamera front, with
an suv back or something

[ScionDriver]

I like it, actually seems like Porsche designers tried for a change. Something a bit new, a bit different and still with the retro bits on it.

Why wait 6 years? Aren't all the mentioned cars (M6, DB9, XKR, etc) on the market NOW, taking potenial Porsche money NOW. Not 6 years from now...

[Egg Nog]

I hope they size it properly. I have a feeling it's going to be a massive car though. Oh well.

[Rockefella]

Originally Posted by Egg Nog

I hope they size it properly. I have a feeling it's going to be a massive car though. Oh well.

I don't think we'll be seeing cars shrink any time soon.

[Quiggs]

Originally Posted by Egg Nog

I hope they size it properly. I have a feeling it's going to be a massive car though. Oh well.

Grand tourers are supposed to be bigger cars. The article says it's supposed to be smaller than the Panam, but I really don't know what that's going to be comparable to. I'm guessing the Panam will be based on the Quattroporte market? That would put the 2 door in the Ferrari 599/Aston Vanquish size class.

</wild speculation>

[Spastik_Roach]

Aslong as they don't make a 4 wheel dr......damnit

[Quiggs]

Originally Posted by Spastik_Roach

Aslong as they don't make a 4 wheel dr......damnit

And keep the friggin' weight reasonable!