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Ever since the debut of the Porsche Panamera, there have been rumors about possible coupe and convertible versions of Porsche’s latest addition to its lineup. This sketch, found on the Web site of Porsche Consulting — the brand’s engineering consulting firm — may be the clearest sign of a Panamera coupe, or 928 revival, yet.
The car in the sketch shown above, with a long hood and sloping roofline, is clearly nothing in Porsche’s current lineup. The car’s proportions also give it the look of a front-engine GT car rather than a revised mid-engine or rear-engine sports car. The long, curved hood even seems to mimic the Panamera’s without the strakes, and the car also displays prominent Porsche styling cues.
Porsche has been encouraged by strong sales of the Panamera, so it’s likely we could see the Panamera lineup expand. Sources have also reported that the constraints of a flat-six engine limited to a displacement of 4.0-liters have frustrated some of Porsche’s senior engineers in designing new 911 variants. The sources indicated that the engineers longed to create a new 928 front-engine, GT car to compete with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Aston Martin.
If the rumors are true, we could see a two-door GT, essentially a resurrection of the 928 that we haven’t seen since 1995, join the Panamera. We’ll only know for sure if we see one surface at an auto show, as Porsche could not be reached for comment.
What do you think? Should Porsche build a new 928 based on the sketch seen above? Sound off in the comments below.
Source: Porsche Consulting
The 928 was supposed to replace the 911. Didn’t happen because the people forking over the cash didn’t like that idea. A new 928 will crash and burn like the old 928. We need a new 924/944 for under $30,000. Bring in new blood.
Of course they should build a coupe’ version because any new Porsche is a good idea. And they need to stop dragging their feet bringing an 8 cylinder 911 to market also or will they leave that to Alois Ruf?
remember there where two side of the Porsche family some owned Porsche the other VW. The Porsche side wanted to build this non-Porsche looking sedan and the ugly SUV. They made so much money they almost took control of VW but they could not get a loan due to the economic turn down. In the end the chairman of the board of vw while not a Porsche by name but a grandchild of the original Porsche took control of Porsche. They have stated the Porsche Brand should be protected so the plans are to let lamborghini use it for it upcoming sedan and let Audi use the platform for the next A8.
The car illustrated in the sketch looks great – much better than the Panamera – which is akwardly proportioned outside and “busy” & overdesigned on inside. The original 928 series was graceful, sleek, simple and functional – especially the 928GTS.
If Porsche produces a new front engined coupe that looks like the one in the sketch – I would definately call it 928. But I am biased – for 20 years I have owned and still (occasionally) drive my 928S4. Recently , a teenager, not recognising a 928, asked me what kind of car I was driving – when I told him – his reply – “WOW”. It is time for a new WOW!!!
Yes, they should. The 928 was a work of art, especially the monolithic doors. I would love to see it revived.
Anything Porsche could come up with had better look better than the Panamera, a remarkably ugly car for the prices it commands. Oh, well, maybe that’s its allure: ugly and expensive.
The 928 was the car that personified the German auto-industry for being innovative, over-acheiving perfectionists – building spirited cars that were capable daily drivers. The 928S4 had 15mph front bumpers, it could tow a large trailer, hold a heavy weight on its roof rack, handle safely in the snow, go 15,000 miles between oil, it had the ride and ammentities of a luxury car, yet it performed and handled well. There was something quintessentially masculine about the car, in that over 96% of the buyers (I don’t remember the source) were male. Porsche should keep the 928 name, but ONLY, if the new car, can live up to the greatness of the original. I would expect a turbo V8 with enough horsepower to upstage the ZR-1.
Please Build It !!!!
The design is stunning and racy, but classy too. This could be a real winner for Porsche. We all love 911′s but they are getting old in the tooth. The 928 is a venerable moniker, but since the 4-door Panamera sedan is doing well, Porsche should follow Cadillac’s lead and produce a sexy, fast, powerful Panamera coupe like GM has done with the CTS. A 500 HP V8 option would be good, to compete with Aston Martin and Jaguar and Cadillac and Mercedes at the high performance end, but it a twin turbo six cylinder with direct fuel injection pushing 400 hp would be a good base engine, and the fuel mileage could be more in line with environmental standards. Most of us are not going to be running 150mph on the Autobahn nor setting new lap times on the Nurmburgring. A front engine AWD version with extraordinary handling dialed in by Porsche engineers would make a great rocket sled for weekend getaways for two or for solo fast forays on the twisty back roads when you want an adrenaline rush. This would be a car that could be driven hard and the brakes better be really good, because stopping is just as important as 0-60 times in the real world where you are not on a track under controlled conditions. Upgrading the interior to true luxury standards and incorporating a functional spoiler in that all business looking rear end with the flared rear fenders and meaty looking rear tire gives the car a very aggressive look but it is still recognizable as a Porsche with a slightly chopped roof line reminiscent of a 911. Porsche should build this car.
I won two Porsches. I thought it a mistake when Porsche left their area of strenght and got into the 4 door market. Apparently, they were right. Making a Panamera GT is a great idea, but don’t call it a 928. A small minority of Porsche lovers are loyal to the 928, but why antaganize the majority of your followers by branding a new car with an old car’s moniker. The Panamera is not a descendant of the 928. American car makers have tried to make sales by producing new cars and giving them old car names — Chrysler 300, Ford 500, etc. Even GM is smart enoguh not to make a new model and call it a Corvair. Porsche, be original. Make this car, but give it a proper name.
Absolutely ! Call it 928 !! One of the greatest GTs ever made! Even today the old 928S4s and GTSs will run and outrun many contemporary sports cars. Always preserve the history of past great cars by keeping their name alive.
The Coupe would be a natural! Would also like to see a supercharged V-6 option (400 HP?) if that would serve to keep weight down a bit.
Build it!!!The 928 was a techno masterpiece meant to replace the 911 and because of that fact was shunned by the 911 faithful, and rightfully so as they are NOT on the same mission.The prospect of a long-hood/short-deck coupe would pit the machine squarely against the Corvette … GT1 in ALMS anyone? Could be interesting.As for the name … if it is a Panamera call it the GT … but if the nose and tail become unique to the build then go ahead and bring back the 928!! Porsche .. there is no substitute!Yes I am Porsche faithful, a Carrera 4 aero…
Sorry but Will is kidding really, should be 928-2 and we all know it. Ray
Sorry to say that Porsche (along with VW) harbor a totally misguided approach to naming new models in America. By no stretch should this car be called a 928. Absolutely not. The person who though this one up should burn at the stake. Porsche needs to create fresh names (important detail: WITH numeral designations) for each new model and stop using unjustified references to past models – particularly those that were bombs in the marketplace – such as the 928. Today’s buyer is not familiar enough with the (expanding) history of the marque and, quite honestly, does not want to be bothered except for reassurance. To have a better understanding of this, read “Naming The Baby” an old marketing book (1972?) where you will learn the importance of naming a product for success. By the same token, the 356 designation should be revered for what it earned in early Porsche history and not be trivialized or diluted on new (totally unrelated) models (oh my, entry level, no less?) that have yet to prove themselves. Remember when Pontiac put the LeMans moniker on an econobox? I wish Porsche (and or VW) would contact me about product naming. I am quite learned on the subject and passionate about it. – WilRod
IT FIGURES!!! I JUST BOUGHT A 911.. NOW IM GONNA HAVE TO START SAVING AGAIN FOR A 928!!! I CAN NEVER GET AHEAD!
Definitely!! This is what Porsche should have built in the first place, not the fugly Panamera. All they need to do is drop a big V8 in it and keep the car trim and sexy (less than 4000lbs!) and this new Porsche will give MB and BMW the willies.