A question in 2 parts...

If the 928 superseded the 911 back in the late 70s, and Porsche sold only 924/944/968/928/boxters through the 80s and 90s....

1. Would they be able to pull off a Cayenne and/or Panamera?

In essence, would they have as much credibility as a legendary sports car manufacturer? So much that simply placing a porsche crest on the hood of an otherwise 'good' vehicle can make it a sales success?

2. Are the Cayenne and Panamera good enough intrinsically on their own to actually improve Porsche's image as a sports car manufacturer (if the 911 was discontinued....?)

* for the purpose of this question, assume that Porsche's racing record remains the same from the 80s to the present - just without the successes of the 911

 

No...

I am sure some people will say yes but most are hard core fans. The average person knows only one form of P-car, the 911. Sure maybe they could have pushed the other models more if the 911 wasnt there but clearly they tried and failed yet somehow continued with the one model all along.

 

it would have disrupted the space-time continum and we'd all be dead and gone long ago in the days of Miami Vice and Mulletts.

All joking aside, what a profound question... Similar to the Ford Probe FWD that was to replace the Mustang... Ford made the right choice IMO...

 

that fit the bill for me, I was not a life long porsche person but the 911 is the perfect fit for my current situation

 

The other models finance our addiction though. Without the Cayenne, there might not be a new 911.

 

This idea has been passed around, but what about the fact that Porsche's parent company VW is swimming in money right now...

It seems that building a visionary car is at total odds with profit.

BMW offered a unique product in the 70s and 80s...a premium sedan that placed a large emphasis on performance. The ultimate driving sedan - it should have been called. But in an effort to capture more market share, its cars have gotten, bigger, heavier and in the process more disconnected from the road. So the quality that made it unique has been watered down in the interest of sales - ironic right.

It would be a huge shame if Porsche started to soften up its sports cars by virtue of its production of sedans and SUVs. Ride in an SL or 6 series then in a 911. The comfort, isolation, smoothness and quietness in the Merc and Bimmer are the result of engineering designed to produce those qualities. The 911 is isn't designed for these things. It's a pure sports car. The Cayenne isn't designed with a sports car mentality, nor is the panamera. If they were, no one would buy one. They'd be loud, ride hard and be missing all the heavy luxo goodies that buyers demand (full glass roof, hydraulic anti roll bars, automatic tailgate, extensive soundproofing, 4 zone climate control, 9 amp stereo with 16 speakers).

So, as long as the 911 engineers are sequestered from the SUV/sedan department, the "profit" argument is fine with me. Problem is....aren't people buying the Cayenne and Panamera -because- they think the 911 engineers had some input on those vehicles????

 

The 911 has always been an icon in the industry at all levels and even considering the possible discontinue can not be fathomed. The car has always produced what it has promised, thus making it a success. I think the same can be said for either the Cayenne and/or the Panamera and adding the Porsche Crest adds to the prestige and the backing of the factory engineering.