Render: Reborn Porsche 928 is fronting up!

[Aiolos]

If it looks like that,

Pictures are as attachments, unfortunately couldn't link the photos directly.

Reborn Porsche 928 is fronting up!

Source: AutoExpress via Autoblog

AutoExpress:
Get ready for a blast from Porsche’s past! The German firm is developing a luxurious, front-engined grand tourer – a spiritual successor to the 928 built between 1977 and 1995. The ‘new 928’ will be a fifth model line, and is designed to sit above the sportier 911 in the range.

With the compact Boxster and Cayman, the 911, the Cayenne SUV and four-door Panamera, Porsche would appear to have most bases covered. But it’s notable for its absence in the front-engined GT segment. The newcomer will allow the brand to take on rivals such as the Ferrari 599 GTB, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin DB9. And our exclusive pictures show exactly why the curvy, Panamera-based coupé is set to stun the competition.

Essentially it’s a two-door, short-wheelbase version of the Panamera, which will help to spread the £1.1billion development costs of that model. Its front-engined layout has a number of inherent benefits, too.

A rear-engined 911 has barely more than 100 litres of luggage space, but a similarly sized GT with its motor up front would offer a useful 320 litres – a vital attribute if the new 928 is to be taken seriously as a grand tourer.

While the nose is virtually identical to the Panamera, the shortened wheelbase and 2+2 layout mean the 928 features far smoother lines at the back. One of the major criticisms levelled at the four-door Panamera was its bloated rear, but this model’s muscular haunches and neater proportions should attract a new wave of style-conscious customers.

As you’d expect from Porsche, though, driver appeal remains a top priority. The engine line-up will mirror that of the Panamera, so a 4.8-litre V8, with or without a turbocharger, producing 500bhp or 400bhp, will be available. The naturally aspirated variant is set to come with four or rear-wheel drive, while the range-topping turbo model will be 4WD only.

Thirsty V8s aren’t the only power units on the agenda. The Cayenne SUV hybrid is ready to go on sale next year, with a petrol-electric version of the Panamera following closely behind. As the new 928 shares the latter’s platform, it’s sure to get the hybrid drivetrain, too.

An Audi S4-sourced 369bhp 3.0-litre supercharged V6, coupled to a 38kW electric motor, will give the hybrid 928 fuel economy that breaks the 30mpg barrier. That will make it the most frugal petrol-powered Porsche ever, while still providing hair-raising performance.

The 928 will slot into Porsche’s pricing line-up somewhere between the 911 and Panamera. The four-door ranges from £70,000-£95,000, while the 911 starts a little lower, at just over £60,000, but stretches to £128,000 for the GT2.

With this is mind, expect the 928 to be pitched between £65,000 and £90,000 – enough to safely undercut its Ferrari and Aston rivals when it goes on sale in 2012.

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...#ixzz0VNBIeMZz

Autoblog:
The Brits at AutoExpress (essentially The Sun of car-related sites) have rendered Porsche's supposed 928 successor, and as expected, their report is rife with speculation, innuendo and conjecture.

According to AE, the big sports car would basically be a two-door Panamera positioned above the 911 because it hauls more luggage. Put another way, this reborn 928 would be an actual grand tourer and compete with the likes of other GTs. Think of it as a Ferrari 599 more than a 458 Italia. Naturally -- and with the big turbocharger not so naturally -- all of the Panamera's engine choices will be present. The range topper gets AWD just like the high end Panamera Turbo. And a hybrid powertrain using an Audi supercharged V6 and an electric motor will also be available. Hey -- why not?

One thing AutoExpress can't answer is what Porsche will call the car. 928 might seem nice and logical to us, but remember what Porsche has been doing since the Boxster -- using actual names. Boxster, Cayenne, Carrera GT, Cayman and lastly Panamera. So it goes to figure that only the 911 will be retaining it's numeric naming convention should a new car come to pass. We're going to go ahead and suggest Soldado, especially if they're sticking with the Spanish theme (Cayenne, Panamera). Again, hey, why not?

[HatePersonified]

Originally Posted by Aiolos

If it looks like that,

Pictures are as attachments, unfortunately couldn't link the photos directly.

Reborn Porsche 928 is fronting up!

Source: AutoExpress via Autoblog

my god... Porsche doing something new AND gorgeous?

[2Billion]

If you're going to paste an Aston roof on top of a Panamera lower body, at least try to get cars on the same rough angle. The rear 3/4 render is bizarre.

[jayhawk]

That would aim directly at the Ferrari 612 (is that the latest?) GT tourer.

*EDIT* saw the price. Hmm. Still, I think Porsche needs a GT car, instead of silly ass sedans and metrosexual SUV's.

[Reckoning]

Lol, it's a California crossed with a XK.

[argatoga]

If the Panamerica had a better rear I'd love it. A coupe could save it.

[Labcoatguy]

Porsche must be the only manufacturer that's moving from naming its cars with numbers and letters to actual words, so if that trend stays, this won't be called the 928. That being said, do these render "artists" have any tools at their disposal apart from an "if they mated" program?

[Sruikyl]

annnnd I jizzed in my pants.

[Rokovak]

There was talk of a 928 successor years ago slated to be named the 998, some time before the plans where shelved and Porsche got hooked on actual names. It's about damned time they took another look at the huge gaping hole in their lineup, hell I was complaining back in the late 90s that Porsche needed another GT car.

[SpitfireMK461]

It's like a DB9 rear ended a 612. I LOVE IT!

[maxtortheone]

Looks like something from our monthly Photoshop competition.

[NooDle]

do NOT want, if it'll look like that.
Weird, eh?

[epp_b]

This just in:



... and Porsche designs a car that doesn't look like a 911! It looks like a Ferrari-Martin 599 Vantage

I like it!

[Jimi Hendrix]

Originally Posted by Aiolos

If it looks like that,

It looks like a photoshopped Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaag XK-R

[Labcoatguy]

Originally Posted by Jimi Hendrix

It is a photoshopped Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaag XK-R

[Lilleput]

Originally Posted by Sruikyl

annnnd I jizzed in my pants.

Avatar + Post =

[matyas]

Woah....very nice looking car

[nsx_23]

I'm going to go against the grain here - it still looks far too fat.

[Pedrocas]

Originally Posted by Aiolos

If it looks like that,

Pictures are as attachments, unfortunately couldn't link the photos directly.

Reborn Porsche 928 is fronting up!

Source: AutoExpress via Autoblog

Looks like the bastard child of a 911 and a Renault Laguna Coupé.

[Shentar]

I love the front. The back is too Jag XKR/Aston Martin for me.

I really wish they would do it though. They need a new 928.