VW Chairman Spills The Beans, A Baby Boxster Is Being Considered

Although it was one of the lesser talked about rumors swirling around the 'net, it has been said that Porsche was going to consider building a reborn 356 or a baby Boxster.

Someone hit it on the head, as today we hear from Autocar that VW Group chariman, Martin Winterkorn, has came out and said that an entry-level offering "...is being evaluated."

Although it is said to be an entry-level model, it will not carry entry-level prices as Autocar says it would cost approximately £33,000 pounds. Not exactly a cheap car.

Also intriguing is that the car may be loosely based on the upcoming Audi R4. Granted, expectations are assuming that the Porsche variant will be significant different and bleed true Porsche characteristics.

Autocar reports:

"VW Group chairman Martin Winterkorn has given the first official confirmation that a new entry-level Porsche sports car is being evaluated.

Talking to Autocar in Wolfsburg as the new VW Polo received its the 2010 Car of the Year Award, Winterkorn said: "The Porsche model range is firmly based on the 911, Boxster, Cayenne and Cayman, and it will stay that way. We are also investigating opportunities for a smaller sports car and a smaller SUV - but I cannot say more at the moment."

When asked how likely the new models were to make production, he responded: "Let’s just say we do not usually waste our effort…"

Dubbed by some insiders as the “new 356”, the mid-engined machine will not, however, be a bargain basement model, despite initial rumours to the contrary. Given the final green light, it would cost from about £33,000 in today’s money..."


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CarCrazedinCali - 1/27/2010 3:26:58 PM

+5 Boost

Oh, you mean an Audi/VW Based (R4) Porsche, yay, another VW based Porsche, can't wait!

Joe_Limon - 1/27/2010 3:50:44 PM

+1 Boost

Wasn't the Porsche 911 originally based on the vw beetle as well?

LauderdaleDriver - 1/28/2010 6:11:45 PM

+1 Boost

While the 356 and Beetle share similar engineering traits, and some parts here and there, the 356 is not Beetle-based, and the 911 is in no way based on VW mechanicals of any type. You can certainly see the hands of the same "father" on each, though.

The 356 block is entirely different from any VW block, and the crankshafts even rotate opposite directions.

On the other hand the 914, 924, 944, and 968 were VW/Audi based, and the engine of the 914 and 912E were based on VW mechanicals.

I'd welcome a 356 type Porsche.....and given fuel economy, and the bad image of the cars these days, I suspect they'd be insane not to build it.

Joe_Limon - 1/28/2010 7:05:30 PM

-1 Boost

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911

"The famous, distinctive, and durable design is notable for being rear engined like the Porsche-designed Volkswagen Beetle it had been based on."

There you have it. Of course after almost 50 years of development it isn't the same, but that wasn't my point.

Whelan - 2/3/2010 12:15:52 PM

+1 Boost

considering the first Boxster missed the mark terribly for where Porsche was claiming to have it sit in the lineup, it was too high priced for the many it was supposed to attract. Good thing resale is horrid on them and you can get one used for a great price.