German firm looks to expand line-up with sub-Panamera coupe and convertible.
Life at Porsche is set to get a whole lot busier! Not content with ambitious plans to refresh its current line-up over the next three years, the German firm is seeking VW Group approval to add a new front-engined coupe and convertible to the range.
If the firm gets the nod from VW’s board, the new cars will be based on the second-generation Porsche Panamera platform, which is due to arrive in 2014. Once the Panamera is launched, the firm will add a smaller, two-door coupe to the range – which is being referred to internally as the Pajun, short for Panamera Junior.
The smaller coupe will be front-engined, recalling the old 928, and use the same six- and eight-cylinder engines as the larger car. It is unclear whether the new car will be rear-drive only or offer four-wheel-drive on top-spec models like the Panamera.
We expect to see the coupe later in 2015, priced from around £55,000, with a convertible model expected to join the range a year later. A shooting brake estate model is also a possibility, offering buyers a cut-price rival to the Ferrari FF.
The new models are also likely to share components with the next Bentley Continental GT, particularly now former Porsche R&D boss Wolfgang Dürheimer has been installed as Bentley’s new chief, signaling the VW Group’s desire to increase economies of scale at its luxury brands.
The second-generation Panamera and new Pajun will join the range after a host of new models break cover.
Last year we got the all-new Cayenne SUV, and this year we’ll see an all-new 911, which will arrive at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, to join hybrid and Turbo S versions of the Panamera.
The new Boxster is scheduled for Geneva in 2012, with a new Cayman and long-wheelbase Panamera in early 2013.
Porsche has already confirmed that its Audi-Q5-based Cajun SUV and 918 Spyder will arrive in 2013, then comes the Panamera and new coupe and convertible models. A smaller roadster, based on the VW BlueSport concept is also in the pipeline.
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