- Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller has cold feet over whether to launch a smaller, less expensive roadster.
- The two-seater would have been slotted below the just-redesigned Boxster in size and price.
- Porsche also is said to be considering production of a new sports car positioned above the 911 and priced from around $375,000.
STUTTGART, Germany — Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller appears to have developed cold feet over whether to launch a smaller, less expensive roadster.
German business publication Wirtschaftswoche this week quoted Mueller as saying, "Possibly, we need to wait until the next generation of customers before the idea of a small roadster will work for Porsche."
Mueller earlier had confirmed the company's plans to unveil a spiritual successor to the Porsche 550 in 2014 that would be slotted below the just-redesigned Boxster in size and price.
However, the automaker is moving forward with plans to produce a new midengine sports car positioned above the 911 and priced from around $375,000.
Porsche also will unveil the Cajun, its "baby Cayenne," next year as a 2014 model.
Inside Line says: Still plenty of white space in the premium performance segment.
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tbone85 says:
06:39 AM, 01/24/2012
A $40k Porsche is aspirational to folks who make a moderate income like me. Whether that is via a new entry-level model or a used Boxster is entirely up to Porsche.
jmaroun says:
01:22 PM, 01/21/2012
Complicated choice....given the following
- The 2013 new Boxter and Cayman are going to be the best looking cars on the road. Unbelievable. No more dorky looking 911 sibling.
- Boxter S now runs 60K+ base!
- 911 S now runs 90K+ base!
- We've been in a recession/depression over the last decade, and there are no signs of recovery.
- A smaller and cheaper Boxter/Cayman will have less power, but will be lighter and may even come with the "old" hydraulic steering. This car may be purer and funner.
- Difficult to know what will bring Porsche more profits.
- The masses will resort to buying used Porsche's if a cheaper smaller model isn't introduced.
dagmar3 says:
02:34 PM, 01/18/2012
The Porsche dealers in the US still have not fully digested the Cayenne yet - they still struggle to service the owners of Porsches which are everyday drivers. They are used to having some guy's 4th car sit in the service garage for a week or so until they get around to fixing it. The Cajun will only make matters worse.
Porsche should not go down-market - just as Mercedes shouldn't bother with smart. Stay aspirational and don't try to be all things to all people.
tbone85 says:
02:20 PM, 01/18/2012
There is space between where the Miata and Subayota live and where the Boxster starts. Something that's $40k out the door, weighing 2700lbs or so, agile handling, 6.0 0-60 would get buyers. Heck, they could message the GTI engine and save a ton of cash if the rest of the setup were "pure" Porsche. The Boxster would be faster, handle better, and offer far more amenities.
Porsche has not always meant luxury. The 911 only became a luxury-sport vehicle over the last 3 generations. There is plenty of heritage for something light, a little more hairy, with a significantly shortened list of options. The business case may not be there with the whole Audi-VW thing, but there is definitely a product precedent for Porsche to produce such a vehicle.
markinnaples says:
01:30 PM, 01/18/2012
As a very happy former 944 owner, I also say bring it on.
I loved my 944 and how that car handled; what fun for not much money.
Sounds like a great idea to bring us something new like that again.
carcaretoday says:
11:39 AM, 01/18/2012
Isn't the boxster already entry level? $50k for a Porsche doesn't sound crazy. I'd love for the Boxster to stay below $40k but what can you do?
If they strip anymore out of the Boxster it's not longer a Porsche. It's only a 2.9L 252hp car now, what are they going to do, put a 2.0L 180hp engine in there? Sure it'll sell because it's a Porsche but it'll kill the name, and if they put anymore horsepower in there it'll compete with the Boxster. Why make a 2014 Porsche with a 0-60 in 7+ seconds?
I say drop the price of the Boxster, don't make a new model. Make a Boxster with manual everything, no leather, hard top, 2-seater, completely stripped, smaller ~220hp engine, and sell it for $39k.
agnh says:
10:32 AM, 01/18/2012
Sorry, just to clarify, Porsche should offer several versions of the Boxster/Cayman.
A base, decontented version with 17" wheels, roll up windows, manually adjustable cloth seats, etc as standard equipment. IMO Porsche needs to get back to it's roots a bit, offering a somewhat affordable, lighter weight performance car, and a $40k Boxster/Cayman could be it. Then have the mainstream versions as they are now, as well as the trick Spyder/Cayman R performance versions.
BTW I think it's rediculous that they make what I guess are supposed to be focused track cars like Spyders/Cayman R's with optional steroes and air cond, however also navi.
agnh says:
09:59 AM, 01/18/2012
Sorry, I'm confused. Wasn't the Boxster originally pitched as the "spiritual successor" to the 550?
IMO, Prsche doesn't need a car below the Boxster. First, the Boxster and Cayman should be the same price. Second, the should offer cheaper,decontented versions, other than those marketed as Spyder, etc..
k55 says:
09:16 AM, 01/18/2012
I had a new Boxster in 07 and sold it over the summer of 09. I was hoping for the BB roadster as a Boxster now starts at 50k and w/ PDK it would be 53,500 or so . A new 4cylinder small roadster would be ~40k......Although they could offer a 2.5 liter Flat Four turbo in the Boxster ( fabric seats, no Nav, no fancy shmanzy this or that, 3 colors to choose from ,fixed rear spoiler , etc)
mini23 says:
08:53 AM, 01/18/2012
From what I've read this all seems to stem from Jonathan Browning(CEO of VW of America).The US is the largest sports car market in the world. His comments state there is not a case where VAG could sell the Blue Sport in enough numbers. Because this platform is to be shared with Porsche and Audi that basically puts the cabash on the entire project. Porsche could not afford to not share this platform and make any profit on the baby Porsche. Unless they are sharing it with VW and Audi this is a nonstarter.