After a long period of silence, we now have an answer to the “can I have an affordable Porsche?” question and we can tell you it’s not positive. Porsche North America CEO Detlev von Platen has recently confirmed that the company won’t build anything below the Boxster too soon.
In an interview for Automotive News, von Platen broke the silence that had settled over the rumors. "You won't see anything lower than the current Boxster model," the CEO said. "We had many discussions about this in the group, and the decision was made that the time is not right."
What stands between these cars and the light of day is a decision that will influence even more models in the company - in its race for becoming the world’s number one carmaker (by production volume), the company aimed to fill all the possible niches, but that has changed. The company realized that building so many models would bring serious risks in terms of profit, so they’re toning down the strategy.
The CEO nominated Porsche’s pre-owned program for those who target an entry-level Porsche. Nowadays, you can get a good first-generation Boxster for as low as $10,000, so you can’t argue with that point.
Heck, Porsche had even prepared an engine for its cancelled entry-level model. We’ll remind you the carmaker is preparing to introduce a family of turbocharged four-cylinder boxers. This was supposed to consist of three engines, of which the base 1.6, delivering 210 hp, was destined for the sub-Boxster model. Oh well, at least we all have time to save up until the chances of getting such a car increase.
The big picture
While Porsche was supposed to wrap the entry-level sportscar story in details such as a spiritual connection to the 550, the iconic roadster linked to the 356, the story is obviously bigger than that. The sub-Boxster model was part of an entry-level sportscar plan that covered multiple VW Group brands. Had the scheme gone through, we would have seen sister cars from VW and Audi.What stands between these cars and the light of day is a decision that will influence even more models in the company - in its race for becoming the world’s number one carmaker (by production volume), the company aimed to fill all the possible niches, but that has changed. The company realized that building so many models would bring serious risks in terms of profit, so they’re toning down the strategy.
The CEO nominated Porsche’s pre-owned program for those who target an entry-level Porsche. Nowadays, you can get a good first-generation Boxster for as low as $10,000, so you can’t argue with that point.
Past and future
Still, this doesn’t mean that, one day, the idea won’t be back on Porsche’s table. For one thing, the Zuffenhausen people has offered such models twice in its history. It all started in the late 60s with the Porsche 914, while in 1975 Porsche introduced the 924. Both were more or less Porsches, having strong VW connections, but they were still loved.Heck, Porsche had even prepared an engine for its cancelled entry-level model. We’ll remind you the carmaker is preparing to introduce a family of turbocharged four-cylinder boxers. This was supposed to consist of three engines, of which the base 1.6, delivering 210 hp, was destined for the sub-Boxster model. Oh well, at least we all have time to save up until the chances of getting such a car increase.