Sharing sucks, doesn't it, Porsche? Welcome to the world of no longer being an only child.
Porsche, you see, is the official, designated maker of sports car platforms for the Volkswagen Group, but they won't be building the platform for their own Ferrari 458 fighting supercar.
This new sports car that will hang out between the 911 and the 918 Spyder has been confirmed by Porsche's boss Matthias Muller, but we haven't heard anything specific. Now rumors are swirling that Porsche may not be able to make their own platform, but be forced to share with the next-generation Audi R8.
The new R8 is already well underway and is carbon-fiber intensive. To spread the cost VW has determined that this new vehicle architecture is suitable for a high-po Porsche and that a bespoke platform isn't necessary. Porsche is reportedly fighting this mandate and is even considering putting off the new car until they can engineer the platform for the 3rd gen R8 which they will then be happy to share.
(Autocar)
gregnv says:
11:25 AM, 11/ 8/11
"Porsche, you see, is the official, designated maker of sports car platforms for the Volkswagen Group"... What then is Lamborghini in the VW Group? Will Lamborghini will it have a car on the same platform as well?
stoppre75 says:
11:37 AM, 11/ 8/11
Seeing as the Italians don't have the balls the guys from Stuttgart have, yes, they will bend over and take it and work with the R8's platform.
billt9 says:
11:40 AM, 11/ 8/11
Porsche owns VW.
So how can Porsche be forced to use VW architecture? Nonsense.
Instead, VW is granted the privilege of using a Porsche platform for the next R8.
csubowtie says:
12:01 PM, 11/ 8/11
I thought Porsche tried to own VW, and basically got put in their place. It does seem like having Porsche and Lambo on the same platform is too much of a cultural divide. Might as well have Camaro's and Mustang share parts.
coolb944 says:
04:03 PM, 11/ 8/11
@billt9
You're pretty behind on auto news bud. Porsche tried to overtake the VW Group but couldn't do it. They strained themselves financially trying to push through this acquisition, and instead got taken over by VW. So yes, Volkswagen does own Porsche now. That's been known for over a year now.