Porsche 911 Turbo v Ferarri 360 Modena

[Justin]

Autocar says the Porsche is better!. That's the first time that has ever happened. This means that the gradual move upmarket and in favour of a GT style car hasn't been at the expense of old style Porsh driving dynamics. I can now aspire to owning a 10 year old one in due course.

Hasn't Porsche moved on a lot since the early 1990's when they were nearly bankrupt with an aged model range? Their share price has increased tenfold and they produce three times as many cars. Even the Boxster makes them money. But are they right to produce an SUV? I've seen a picture/mock-up of it - imagine a BMW X5 with a Boxster nose - quite unnerving and not a little ugly. Will this pollute the mainstream image? Would you want one?

[Tony]

I'd be quite confident that Porsche would make a good job at the SUV. It would have to be aimed at the higher end of the exclusive market, you certainly wouldn't be buying one with a measly 1.4 engine, that’s for sure. Whatever they end up designing, you can be assured that its not going to be similar to anything else on the market. I'm sure they'll attempt to carve out another niche area for themselves, and produce another little gem that will be high up on the wanted list.

[Tony]

Oh, forgot to add, does anyone know if there's any images of the SUV available one the web?

[Justin]

check out http://www.automedia-online.com/e_spion.htm

[Tony]

I just had a look at the spy photo's. The first one certainly mirrors the Prosche front all right. I'm not too sure about the rest of the vehicle though. Any ideas when its due out?

[Anders]

The SUV thing is a must to achieve volume in the US. Americans have a strange fixation with SUVs. Personally I don't see the point with a Porsche SUV, and as it is developed with VAG I doubt it will ever be considered a true Porsche. But I suppose what else should Porsche be doing? They have the sports car segment pretty well covered now, unless they wanted to make an even cheaper roadster. They obviously figure that the SUV would sell better than a normal saloon car.

Sounds like the 911 turbo is a pretty good package, from that review. It would still not be a car I would go around dreaming about. Once you have heard a screaming Ferrari V8 that's pretty much it.

[BeCos]

I think in real terms the Porsche would be easier to live with everyday, and the running costs would be less than the Ferrari.