Fourth Porsche due in 2009

By: CAR magazine

While motoring enthusiasts debate what type of car Porsche will offer in its fourth model line, the Züffenhausen-based firm says that the vehicle will only go into production in five years’ time.

While motoring enthusiasts debate what type of car Porsche will offer in its fourth model line, the Züffenhausen-based firm says that the vehicle will only go into production in five years’ time.


According to , Porsche chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking said the manufacturer would decide finally next year whether or not to build a fourth model line – next to its current 911, Boxster and Cayenne models.


It was previously expected that the Züffenhausen firm’s fourth model range would hit the market by 2006 or 2007, but Wiedeking told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that "we will officially announce our decision in 2005. Having said that, the (new) car would not be built before 2009".


Wiedeking declined to comment as to what type of new car Porsche was considering, saying this not had yet been decided.


Some reports suggest the new Porsche could be a new four-seater coupé (in the spirit of the now-discontinued 928) to compete against the Mercedes CL, Bentley Continental GT and BMW 6 Series.


Other industry observers believe the model will be a four-door liftback saloon (coded E2 in-house) fitted with a V8 engine. Production costs will be streamlined as a result of the fact that the new sports saloon will share its engine and some of its drivetrain layout with the Cayenne. It will be built alongside the off-roader at the company’s new state-of-the-art Leipzig plant.


Initial reports say it will be offered in both rear-drive and four-wheel drive configurations. And, in addition to the fast V8 version, there could be more affordable derivatives, including the V6 power unit now on offer in the entry-level Cayenne.


The new model’s four-wheel drive system will reportedly be able to adjust to distribute power between the front and rear wheels in an infinite number of combinations. The flagship model will be fitted with a front-mounted turbocharged V8 with an output of 488 kW and top speed will be in the region of 280km/h.

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