Porsche Mission E Platform Also Engineered For A Coupe And Cabrio

How about a reborn 928, but as an EV?

Porsche is moving fast into the world of electric vehicles, evidenced not only by the Mission E concept, but also the Mission E Cross Turismo concept, shown last week at Geneva. Consider the latter to be somewhere in between a sedan and a crossover, though with an all-electric powertrain. But don’t think for a moment Porsche is planning to offer only two different body styles on a platform they’ve invested heavily in. According to Car and Driver, that platform has also been engineered to handle a future coupe, convertible and even rear-wheel-drive.

Speaking at a roundtable event, Stefan Weckbach, head of electric-vehicle development at Porsche, said that “If you talk about two-door cars or convertibles, the (Mission E) platform will be ready for that.” This is not to say that the Mission E platform will also be used to underpin a future generation 911. Think beyond that. What other sports cars has Porsche built in somewhat more recent years, aside from the 718 Boxster and Cayman? The 928, for example. Now, this is purely speculation on our part, but we would not at all be surprised to see Porsche launch a reborn 928 as an all-electric grand tourer.

Adding further ammo to this theory is that Weckbach also acknowledged not all future Mission E variants will utilize its dual electric motors and all-wheel drive. “We’re definitely discussing rear-wheel-drive options right now,” said Weckbach. As with all EVs, weight is a serious issue, but leave it to Porsche to come up with creative weight-saving solutions. For example, Weckbach also said the most powerful Mission E will be “almost the same or a little bit heavier than the Panamera.” Take away one electric motor, shorten the platform and add a new body, then voila! A 928-style GT EV with rear-wheel drive. We’d even be down for a convertible as well.

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Porsche Mission E Platform Also Engineered For A Coupe And Cabrio

How about a reborn 928, but as an EV?

Porsche is moving fast into the world of electric vehicles, evidenced not only by the Mission E concept, but also the Mission E Cross Turismo concept, shown last week at Geneva. Consider the latter to be somewhere in between a sedan and a crossover, though with an all-electric powertrain. But don’t think for a moment Porsche is planning to offer only two different body styles on a platform they’ve invested heavily in. According to Car and Driver, that platform has also been engineered to handle a future coupe, convertible and even rear-wheel-drive.

Speaking at a roundtable event, Stefan Weckbach, head of electric-vehicle development at Porsche, said that “If you talk about two-door cars or convertibles, the (Mission E) platform will be ready for that.” This is not to say that the Mission E platform will also be used to underpin a future generation 911. Think beyond that. What other sports cars has Porsche built in somewhat more recent years, aside from the 718 Boxster and Cayman? The 928, for example. Now, this is purely speculation on our part, but we would not at all be surprised to see Porsche launch a reborn 928 as an all-electric grand tourer.

Adding further ammo to this theory is that Weckbach also acknowledged not all future Mission E variants will utilize its dual electric motors and all-wheel drive. “We’re definitely discussing rear-wheel-drive options right now,” said Weckbach. As with all EVs, weight is a serious issue, but leave it to Porsche to come up with creative weight-saving solutions. For example, Weckbach also said the most powerful Mission E will be “almost the same or a little bit heavier than the Panamera.” Take away one electric motor, shorten the platform and add a new body, then voila! A 928-style GT EV with rear-wheel drive. We’d even be down for a convertible as well.

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Rumored Porsche Models Include Cayenne Coupe And 928 Revival

If the rumors are true, when can we expect these new models?

Automotive rumors don't always pan out, but it is still fun to speculate on what new models will be coming from certain manufacturers. Porsche has been unveiling new versions of cars left and right, with the new Cayenne E-Hybrid its latest revelation. But when it comes to completely new models, the company doesn't like to stray far from its core offerings. It's hard to predict what a company like Porsche will release in the coming years, but German site Autobild has attempted to predict what the German automaker will release up until 2022.

The first model on the docket is a coupe-like version of the Cayenne SUV. Porsche would be smart to compete in the lucrative SUV Coupe segment, which includes the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe. This new model will likely share drivetrains with the standard Cayenne, but come with a more coupe-like design and a higher price tag. We could see the Cayenne coupe this year in 2018 at the Paris Motor Show. Porsche will likely reveal a facelifted version of the Macan in 2018 as well as the highly anticipated 718 GT4, which is rumored to borrow the 4.0-liter flat-six engine from the 911 GT3.

One of the most supprising rumors is a revival of the 928 name. A new 928 would be based on the Panamera platform, of course with two doors instead of four. The 992 generation 911 should debut sometime in 2019, along with the Mission E. Finally, an electric version of the Macan is rumored by 2022 when it will arrive with three outputs: 215 horsepower, 322 hp, and 430 hp. Of these rumors, the prospect of a new 928 makes us the most giddy. Which rumored Porsche model are you most excited for?

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Mercedes-AMG GT Four-Door Coupe Final Teaser Image Is Fiery Awesome

This week at Geneva is the big premiere.

Exactly one year ago at Geneva Mercedes-AMG unveiled its stunning four-door GT Concept, and it was pretty darn close to production ready. That was very much on purpose because this week at this year’s Swiss show the real deal will have its debut. Mercedes-AMG has just released a pair of final teaser images of its upcoming Porsche Panamera fighter and, needless to say, we’re stoked. Aside from the previous spy shots we’ve seen, quite a few details about this powerful four-door are already mostly known.

Under its hood will lie the familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that could develop over 600 hp. However, it’s the hybrid variant, set to compete directly against the 671 hp Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, that’s particularly exciting. Why? Try an expected 800 hp, or so. However, we still don’t know its official name and we kind of doubt AMG GT Four-Door will be the chosen designation. Then again, we could be wrong. The two-door AMG GT on sale right now is built on its own unique platform, so don't think of this new four-door as simply a stretched version of the coupe. Instead, it's built on a modified version of the platform underpinning the E-Class and new CLS.

In any case, full details, specs and photos are only a couple of days away. Chances are, there were will be a few executives from Porsche making their way over to the Mercedes-AMG stand to check out the new competition for themselves. We’ll also be on hand at Geneva to bring you the fully skinny. Stay tuned.

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Rumored Porsche Models Include Cayenne Coupe And 928 Revival

If the rumors are true, when can we expect these new models?

Automotive rumors don't always pan out, but it is still fun to speculate on what new models will be coming from certain manufacturers. Porsche has been unveiling new versions of cars left and right, with the new Cayenne E-Hybrid its latest revelation. But when it comes to completely new models, the company doesn't like to stray far from its core offerings. It's hard to predict what a company like Porsche will release in the coming years, but German site Autobild has attempted to predict what the German automaker will release up until 2022.

The first model on the docket is a coupe-like version of the Cayenne SUV. Porsche would be smart to compete in the lucrative SUV Coupe segment, which includes the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe. This new model will likely share drivetrains with the standard Cayenne, but come with a more coupe-like design and a higher price tag. We could see the Cayenne coupe this year in 2018 at the Paris Motor Show. Porsche will likely reveal a facelifted version of the Macan in 2018 as well as the highly anticipated 718 GT4, which is rumored to borrow the 4.0-liter flat-six engine from the 911 GT3.

One of the most supprising rumors is a revival of the 928 name. A new 928 would be based on the Panamera platform, of course with two doors instead of four. The 992 generation 911 should debut sometime in 2019, along with the Mission E. Finally, an electric version of the Macan is rumored by 2022 when it will arrive with three outputs: 215 horsepower, 322 hp, and 430 hp. Of these rumors, the prospect of a new 928 makes us the most giddy. Which rumored Porsche model are you most excited for?

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Porsche Cayenne Coupe Coming To Fight The BMW X6 And Audi Q8

It was only a matter of time.

The coupe-SUV trend is proving to be contagious. It all started with the BMW X6 nearly a decade ago, a sportier alternative to the X5 featuring a coupe-style sloping roofline. Its success paved the way for the Mercedes GLE Coupe, and more recently the Audi Q8. And now Porsche is joining the coupe-SUV bandwagon. Rumors suggested Porsche has been considering building a coupe version of the new third-generation Cayenne to broaden the model’s lineup, but now it’s been given the green light according to Autocar.

Porsche boss Oliver Blume told the publication the Cayenne coupe will arrive in the UK in Q4 2019 to rival the BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe, and Audi Q8. Unsurprisingly, the coupe will be based on the more practical third-generation Cayenne and will be built alongside the SUV at Porsche’s factory in Leipzig, Germany. According to Autocar, the Cayenne coupe will feature the same front-end styling as its SUV sibling but will have a more unique front bumper design to set it apart. It will also adopt a newly styled liftback-style tailgate, altered rear side windows and sleek new taillights that will give the Cayenne coupe a sporty profile similar to the second-generation Panamera.

Unsurprisingly, a diesel engine isn’t being considered. Instead, the Cayenne coupe will be positioned as a performance model with a choice of gasoline engine options including a 440-hp version of Porsche’s twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 and a 550 hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, according to the report. We suspect it will also adopt the new Cayenne’s hybrid powertrain eventually.

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Can You Spot What’s Fake About This Porsche Cayenne Coupe Test Mule?

Look closely. Porsche engineers are a clever bunch.

The luxury SUV coupe market is yet another reason why luxury sedan sales continue to plummet, and it all started with the original BMW X6. You gotta hand it to BMW on that one. It created an entirely new segment with an existing platform (that of the X5), designed a new body and the rest was all parts bin. It became a smashing success and its Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and very soon, Porsche, competitors all followed suit.

While Porsche has had plenty of success of its own with the Macan and larger Cayenne, there’s always more money to be made, hence the decision to turn the current generation Cayenne into an SUV coupe. We’ve already spied an earlier prototype but today our spy photographers have sent us images of a test mule straight from the Nurburgring.

Now, you may be wondering how we can tell this is the upcoming Cayenne Coupe? After all, couldn’t this simply be an upcoming trim level of the regular Cayenne? It’s a reasonable question, but here’s why it’s not: look closely and you’ll notice Porsche engineers very cleverly installed fake C-pillars. They’re visible where the real window frame drops below the fake frame at the C-pillar area. It looks like everything from the B-pillars forward will be about the same as the standard Cayenne. The Coupe will also sport a slightly lower roofline.

Also take note of the retractable spoiler, as these photos show it both open and closed. What we’re not so sure of at the moment is whether the Cayenne Coupe will be offered as both a four- and five-seater.

Compared to the regular Cayenne, there will obviously be less cargo space, but that’s a price X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe buyers are clearly willing to pay in order to have something they feel is more stylish. To each their own. Chances are the Cayenne Coupe will also sport the same engines as the Cayenne, such as the base 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 440 hp. A plug-in hybrid version is also planned.

For now, Porsche is busy rolling out its refreshed Macan and, in the very near future, the next-generation 911, meaning the Cayenne Coupe’s debut is still several months away. Expect for it to debut sometime later this year and will go on sale around this time next year.

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