Return of the Porsche 914?, ....it could happen..... Options

[naro914]

Very interesting....

http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_ve..._914/index.html

From Motor Trend

""With the recent announcement by Volkswagen chairman Martin Winterkorn that VW will unveil a sports car concept at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, it appears that the German automaker has once again resurrected its plan to build an affordable midengine coupe and roadster.

But even bigger news could be coming from VW's new masters, er, partners at Porsche. Inside sources say that VW's majority shareholder is said to have shown strong interest in the same project -- opening the door for a possible revival of the 914.

The original 914 -- Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year in 1970 -- was sold in the U.S. from 1969 to 1976, and was a collaborative effort between Volkswagen and Porsche. The guiding force behind the 914 project at the time was none other than Dr. Ferdinand Piech, now the head man in Zuffenhausen and the driving force behind the takeover of VW.

According to reports, the Volkswagen model will borrow heavily from VW's vast parts bin in order to keep development costs low. The new VW coupe and roadster have been described as cars designed to be stylish and lightweight but, at the same time, offering sporty performance in combination with all important fuel economy.

Based on a midengine, rear-wheel-drive layout, two four-cylinder powerplants are said to be under consideration: a 170-horsepower version of the 1.4L twincharger TSI gasoline mill, and a new 125-hp, 1.6L TDI common-rail diesel engine, both mated to VW's new seven-speed DSG gearbox. The model could possibly be assembled in Germany by VW's longtime partner Karmann, also another key player in the original 914's production.

The new car is expected to be less than 2200 lbs and VW is reportedly inquiring with fellow VW Group member Audi about aluminum space frame construction. The collaboration could also mean that a much rumored Audi R4 version could also be potentially on the horizon.

The VW project is resurfacing for the fifth time in five years but insiders are expressing optimism that the car will finally make it into production this go round. Depending on the public's acceptance of the L.A. show concept, the new car could be in showrooms by as early as 2011.

As for the Porsche model, any 914 would almost certainly have one of the automaker's flat sixes on board, with the 2.7-liter base engine from the Boxster being the most likely candidate. Rumors have also been circulating recently about the possibility of Porsche returning to four cylinder power, with the 914 being an extremely logical candidate for an engine smaller than six cylinders. The original four cylinder 914 was more popular than the six.

Porsche has continued to expand from its 911 base with the Cayenne and the coming Panamera, and the addition of a model priced below the Boxster could be just what the Dr. (Piech) orders. ""

[Root_Werks]

I like the concept picture and would be happy to see a comeback of the 914. I don't think it'll happen, but fun to dream.

[Ferg]

I like the concept picture and would be happy to see a comeback of the 914. I don't think it'll happen, but fun to dream.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[messix]

lotus killer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[monkeyboy]

I will only buy it if the Porsche purists hate it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[carr914]

I agree with Root

T.C.

[r_towle]

Just as long as the Cayenne V8 motor will fit in it...go for it.

Rich

[turboman808]

I really like the concept picture. 300 hp and 2000 lbs and I am in. I will be first in line.

[naro914]

I will only buy it if the Porsche purists hate it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Then I guess you own a 996?

[nycchef]

i wonder if it will come in a rust color?

[carreraguy]

I really like the concept picture. 300 hp and 2000 lbs and I am in. I will be first in line.

Yeah! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

How about a flat four turbo tuned to over 300HP? Oh, nevermind, thats the "Anklebiter". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Zimms]

Just to add to the speculation....

Porsche considering return of four-cylinder engines

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[beech4rd]

Given the current economic climate, the price of fuel and the strong possibilty of a reduced supply of fuel, this could be a great idea. A new Scirocco and a new 914. I recently drove a very new 997 and it is a really wonderful car but it's so far from my pay scale and the driving experience was almost too civilized for a sports car. I could really get behind a new 4 cylinder Porsche.
Chris

[Sleepin]

i wonder if it will come in a rust color?

It may come with pre-rust options, just so we don't feel left out. You could get the surface rust option, the some body holes option or the about to snap in half rust option.

I love that concept drawing however!

[beech4rd]

The vent immediately behind the driver's door and in front of the rear wheel is cunningly designed to direct any water within several feet of the car to the top of the battery. And the rear suspension mount for the trailing arms is located below the battery. Just for old time's sake.
Chris

[914werke]

Looks like a Del Sol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

[Maltese Falcon]

Porsche will kill off the vintage value of all of our REAL 914s if they go thru with this. Sounds like what happened in 1979, when they built the last of the 930 turbos (I own #742).
Then in 1980, Porsche decided to keep building the 930; and upped the ante again in 1986 by bringing it back to the U.S. market.
I'll buy a new 914 if it has this option...
Marty

[wbergtho]

The vent immediately behind the driver's door and in front of the rear wheel is cunningly designed to direct any water within several feet of the car to the top of the battery. And the rear suspension mount for the trailing arms is located below the battery. Just for old time's sake.
Chris

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[melnyk]

The vent immediately behind the driver's door and in front of the rear wheel is cunningly designed to direct any water within several feet of the car to the top of the battery. And the rear suspension mount for the trailing arms is located below the battery. Just for old time's sake.
Chris

i just spit coffee everywhere

[jgara962]

Porsche will kill off the vintage value of all of our REAL 914s if they go thru with this. Sounds like what happened in 1979, when they built the last of the 930 turbos (I own #742).
Then in 1980, Porsche decided to keep building the 930; and upped the ante again in 1986 by bringing it back to the U.S. market.
I'll buy a new 914 if it has this option...
Marty

I think that this will build interest in our cars and possibly have the opposite effect. The difference between the 914 and 930 is that Porsche isn't building it one or two years after discontinuing it. We're talking about bringing something back 35 years later. The new Mini, GT40, etc. haven't hurt the values of those originals.