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Right now Porsche can do no wrong, which is why the time is right for a new ‘puristic’ sports car
Check out the News pages in this issue and you will see that Porsche has aced its range average emissions for the EU’S draconian new 2021 targets. In a motoring landscape where some manufacturers are scaling back production – or canning some models altogether – to avoid punitive fines, that’s quite an achievement. A direct result of this is the Cayman/boxster 718 GTS, with its 4.0litre, normally aspirated flat-six. Who would have predicted that not so long ago? In the same news item, CEO Oliver Blume talks of Porsche’s sustainable future and a world where flat-sixes could be powered by synthetic fuels, and frankly you wouldn’t put it past him and trend/industry defying Porsche.
However, even more exciting news from the, er, News pages comes from Porsche’s head of design, Michael Mauer, who reckons “the time has come” to
Mauer is right in looking at the mid-engined 914 for inspiratioin
consider a new entry level Porsche sports car. Well, Michael, don’t let us stop you! It wouldn’t be the first time that this occasionally lucid intro/column has advocated such a thing as the antidote to Porsche’s (and the industry as a whole) increasingly complex and sizeable offerings. The market exists and is still unchallenged. Just ask Mazda. Not that Porsche should attempt to take on the mighty MX-5. Mauer is right in looking at the mid-engined 914 for inspiration, or a “puristic” version of the 550.
OK, so it’s easy for me to say, but surely Porsche has everything it needs to build a simple sports car? As observed by Newshound, Jeremy Laird, the 718 platform would be perfect, and there’s engines aplenty. A normally aspirated flatfour would rather fit the bill. And the timing is right methinks. There is a desire for ‘simple’ in an ever more electronic and connected world, where jumping into a paired back sports car would be a means of escape. A modern classic car, if you like, which is what Mauer is proposing. Go on, Porsche, do it...