Porsche plans performance car offensive

PORSCHE faces an embarrassment of riches as it decides which new models and derivatives to release when.

The last of the current 996-series 911 model derivatives will be rolled out by the end of 2003, by which time Porsche Cars Australia must also decide whether to import a V6 variant of the Cayenne off-roader.

Then, following the release of an all-new Boxster around 2005 and an all-new 997-series 911 around 2006, Porsche will launch its important fourth model line, which is expected to shore up the sports car maker's long-term success by bringing annual production to 100,000.

First up locally, however, will be a facelifted GT3. Due on sale here by the end of last month, the update follows in the footsteps of a predecessor that, thanks to Australians penchant for high-performance Porsches, realised the high-est sales penetration in the world.

Once again GT3 demand will outstrip supply, with only 70 examples headed Down Under. That number includes 10 to 15 GT3 RS versions - essentially a road-going Carrera Cup car featuring styling cues from the stove-hot GT2 - due to arrive in December.

Before that PCA will launch two new 911-based cabrio models at the Sydney motor show in October. The model year 2004 Turbo Cabriolet and C4S Cabriolet will make a record 11 variants of Porsche's 996-series 911, which first appeared here in early 1998.

At least three left-hand drive Carrera GT supercars will also be snapped up by wealthy Australians this year, however, all are expected to be based in Europe.

Next on the agenda will be an entry level, V6 version of the Cayenne. It's arrival here is yet to be confirmed but a decision is expected before the end of the year based on the sales success of the current V8-powered Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo.

"If we achieve sales volumes with V8 we'll take a long, hard look at whether we need it (the V6)," PCA managing director Michael Winkler told GoAuto at the recent Cayenne launch, adding that Porsche's brand image would also be taken into account before launching a V6 off-roader.

"A six-cylinder Cayenne is virtually ready, it's in the drawer if we need it," he said.

It is believed Porsche dealers are keen to have access to a sub-$100,000 Cayenne - which is expected to comprise no more than 25 per cent of Cayenne sales.

But Porsche draws the line at a diesel-powered Cayenne. "Like our chairman says, in a sports car the fun begins at 4000rpm and in a diesel the fun stops at 4300rpm," Mr Winkler said.

He confirmed the Cayenne V6, if sold here, would "definitely" be priced below $100,000, making it the least expensive Porsche available. If approved, Cayenne V6 production will start in mid-2004, making it a late 2004 starter here. Continued next page With or without a V6, Cayenne will bring annual Porsche production to between 65,000 and 75,000 cars, but Porsche chairman Dr Wendelin Wiedeking says the sports car specialist needs to build 100,000 cars per annum to remain a viable independent manufacturer in the long term.

And it just so happens Cayenne's Leipzig factory has the spare capacity to produce a further 25,000 vehicles annually - enough to accommodate a fourth model, in addition to Boxster, 911 and Cayenne.

"The Porsche brand can sustain four model lines and we'll be thinking of a fourth model line in three to four years - all out of Leipzig," said Mr Winkler.

"Leipzig is very lean and flexible, and Cayenne is a debt-free development, so once you have a production system you can be flexible and can develop more product lines.

"Our chairman has said that number four logically follows number three, so somewhere in the next 12 to 18 months a decision will be made on a fourth model line." Porsche executives will not be drawn on what shape a fourth Porsche model might take, but odds-on favourite remains a replacement for the 928, a large, two-door grand tourer not seen here in a decade. And it seems the front-engined, rear-drive touring car concept - using Cayenne's new 4.5-litre V8 and possibly even four "suicide" doors - has fans within Porsche itself.

"The 928 GTS in my opinion was one of the all-time great touring cars - I'd love to see the concept revived," PCA sales and marketing manager Michael Bartsch told GoAuto.

"It goes without question that, as part of Porsche's product clinics and other research, we'd investigate that concept just as we looked at utes and other concepts - but it has to be volume. Something has to happen with the 25,000 annual capacity they have left at Leipzig." While a possible V8 grand tourer is unlikely to surface before 2006, prior to that Porsche will work feverishly to replace its original core products, the 911 and Boxster.

With Boxster first appearing here in January, 1997, and the current, 996-series 911 being released 12 months later, both models are due for replacement in the next two years.

Mr Winkler confirmed an automated manual transmission similar to BMW's SMG and Audi's forthcoming DSG system would appear "in the next generation", which will likely replace Porsche Tiptronic S automatic gearbox.

The next generation 987-Series Boxster is likely to add a leaned-down race-oriented Clubsport version, and a closed-roof coupe codenamed C7.

Porsche to double sales, not dealers

THE exclusive club of just 11 Porsche dealers nationally will not expand despite a 100 per cent sales increase driven by Cayenne, according to Porsche Cars Australia.

Instead, says PCA, the retail network has undergone a $25 million investment process that began in 2001 to expand capacity.

"In 1992 we sold 64 cars and in the 993 (model) years between 1988 and 1994 many dealers lost lots of money," admits PCA sales and marketing manager Michael Bartsch.

"Boxster brought those that stuck by Porsche in the lean years back into recovery and in many cases created capital reserves.

"We pre-empted Cayenne three years ago by asking dealers to invest heavily to increase capacity. Satellite centres like Cairns, Newcastle and Wollongong have experienced especially heavy investment." Mr Bartsch said Cayenne would also put more demand at a servicing level, not just because of the volume but because Cayenne will be the first car for a much larger percentage of Porsche owners.

"People who own sports cars are more flexible when it comes to servicing because it's generally not their only car. Servicing won't double, however, thanks to Cayenne's 30,000km service intervals and the fact 911 will increase to 30,000km (service intervals) as well from the '04 model year." Mr Bartsch said the average annual mileage for 911 had increased from 3000-4000km to 6000-7000km, with Boxster at 15,0000km.

"ML and X5 have got people used to the idea there is a growing market out there for a premium off-roader. Cayenne will be much easier to rationalise (than other Porsches) because it's less self-indulgent," he said.

"Porsche ownership used to be black and white - Boxster changed all that by being unintimidating, by having no baggage or preconceptions with roadsters. Cayenne will do the same thing." PCA managing director Michael Winkler said two-thirds of initial Cayenne sales would target existing customers, with a third of the first year's allocation already pre-sold and 1000-1500 "strong suspects" on the PCA books. Cayenne is expected to double Porsche sales locally, estimated to number 1500 in 2003.