Porsche Ferrier
 

So, I just received my "local" Zeitung from the Intermountain Region/PCA and they had a blurb about the new Porsche Ferrier. Basically, it is a Porsche El Camino. Has anyone else heard about this? According to the article, they will be available at the dealerships on April 1st.

A what??

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Hmmm. April 1st. April Fool's Day. Hmmm.

You mean like this "CorveLmino" or would it be a El Corvetteo???

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...in/a0_8b_3.jpg

:D

Here is the story as written by Eric Flynn:

"Did somebody say NASCAR? With the numbers of Porsche drivers who enjoy boating, horse-back riding, motorcycling, or just like to haul their kids and in-laws to Wal-mart on Friday night, it was inevitable that there would be an addition to the line. The very first sighting of the new Ferrier (apparently a word play on the name of the famous company founder and the pick-up's ability to haul large loads) have been in New Mexico.

Officials from Weissach -- who have a great fascination with Native American culture -- have hand-picked a Navajo family from over by Standing Rock to test one on their ranch and they've been using it since last September. According to various "sources" they styling and drive-train are unique to the heritage, incorporating a number of themes already in use. The front end is unmistakably inspired by the SUV. There is a 4.5 liter, conventionally aspirated V-8 and a truck version of the GT's 5.7 turbo-charged V-10. First versions will be gas powered, but will eventually convert to the ever more popular French0fry oil (Chalk up on for the environmentalists!).

Front wheel drive with rear wheel steering is the most radical design element on the hauler (notice the turned rear wheels in the photo), along with a solar-assisted ceramic braking system. Kentucky blue-grass hay bales or a carbon-fiber Lazy-Boy in the bed are optional, but the titanium gun-rack is standard.

A little calling around to the PCA newsleter spy network confirmed a launch date New Mexico. Apparently, the CEO, board, and the entire family (yes, that family) are coming to New Mexico early this spring for the unveiling. It'll be in the center atrium of the famous Algodones Civic Center, precisely at 11:59 midnight of March 31 of this year. And they'll be available in all the dealer-ships so you can buy one on April 1. See you in line!"

Believe it or not!

*L* The picture is too funny! I'm trying to access my photobucket but due to lags it may have to wait.

This must be the test mule.

That's a better pic than the one I have (and can't seem to load). Too funny. Usually, I don't get much out of the Intermountain mag, but this article was good.

El Corvetto where have you been my whole life?

Actually there is a porsche/truck looking thing in switzerland, the people at rennsport or renn something made it. seen it on discovery channel

Hi,

Porsche has talked about a pick-up for years. Whatever, they are increasingly not the company they have been for 50 years, diluting the brand tremendously all the while pretending not to...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Yeah, what's next, a front drive Lotus or a Lamborghini SUV or a 4 door Maserati or...oh...

Auto manufacturers are continually trying out new markets. It's nothing new. Some see it as dilution, others see it as survival.

This won't be Porsche's first venture into the truck business. Check out this little sedan delivery from the early years...
http://www.tajmagaraj.com/images/jewels/kruz/4.jpg





April Fools.

Hi,

Darwinism - what a concept! Some things maybe should pass to the Ages rather than seeing their greatness fade incrementally away instead...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Actually, the "throw some new s**t on the wall and see how it sticks" concept is exactly how evolution works -- random mutation followed by natural selection. If the amoeba thought it was the best thing since sliced bread and looked down on stupid mutations, we wouldn't be here pontificating. So I say, let the designers experiment (mutation) and the free markets decide (selection). It's the only way.

Z.

Ack, I didn't have enough coffee this morning. Please disregard my deleted post.

What was the FWD Lotus? I am unaware of it.

That isn't any type of Porsche prototype. That's a Honda Del-sole with a modified back. Ugly and stupid as hell.

The second coming of the Elan.

Hi,

The M100 (new Elan). Produced jointly by Lotus, GM, and Isuzu when the General owned them both. It was the last project (X100) that Colin Chapman had a direct hand in, albeit slight, as he died in late 1983.

It was a hand-made low production two seater. While it never really caught on, it was a pretty nice car. Very reliable and easy to maintain.

Had an initial issue with the CAS (Cam Angle Sensor), but these were corrected on production models and through recall. The only other real issue was that the top tended to leak, not a lot, but annoyingly so, drivers used to drape a towel across their lap because the leak was at the winshield header - known as Wet Thigh Syndrome.

It was a front mid-engine design, transverse DOC in-line turbocharged 1.6L 4 cyl. producing 162BHP and 148 ft.lbs. of torque, with a maximum boost of 9.7PSI or 0.65BAR. It was also available as an NA model to ROW, not the US. The block was from Isuzu, but Lotus created a special twin cam head, crank, pistons, intake (using the same technology they (Lotus) developed for their creation of the Corvette ZR-1 Motor - LT5 for GM) and exhaust.

With a Curb Weight of 2,422lbs., the Elan went from 0-60 in 6.2 sec. and a Top Speed of 137 MPH (220KPH).

Lotus produced 3,855 M100 Elans in total with only 539 being imported to the US (117 of these in California Spec) between January 1990 and July 1992. Later, Bugatti bought the rights to the design, after purchasing a Lotus Factory warehouse and finding 1,200 Isuzu 1.6L Crate engines inside. They produced another 1,100 Gen II M100s from July 1994 to August 1995, though none of these were imported to the US.

I actually looked for one instead of the Boxster, but it sold out from under me and so I went ahead with the Porsche. To me, they were same-same with the M100 having a slight edge because it handles much better than the Boxster, lighter, more nimble...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Sadly, the vehicle previously posted started life out as a 1987 Porsche 928.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-928-1987-Porsche-928-truck_W0QQitemZ110052737324QQihZ001QQcategoryZ6432 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I had my tongue firmly placed in cheek when I made my post. Sorry if I appear to present it as the actual test mule for the "Ferrier."

Ah yes, I can definately see it now. Poor little Porsche. :barf:

Not the best picture, sorry -- even if I scanned it, it wouldn't be too good since the mag is black and white.

http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u...B/DSC00939.jpg

Thank you for this detailed response. It was very interesting!

Blue2000, thank you for your response also.

Actually there is a 4-door Maserati too. Or at least a protoype that I have seen made.

The SUV killed the high end car market when Catalac introduced the Escalade. Soon after it was BMW then Porsche and Volvo and etc... Now trucks are next????? Horible. Next will be Ferrari.

The picture looks strangely similar to my 914....I wonder if Porsche will set the price point at $3999.00? They may have to.

Many companies are converting to the 4-door Sedan....
 

Here is a Porsche 4-door. Makes me sick. :barf:
http://www.dancewithshadows.com/auto/images/porsche-panamera.jpg

I was aware of the Maserati Quattroporte and the Lamborghini LM002 (even the military version), but the FWD Lotus was interesting to learn.

I think it is a wonderful thing - a car like that would be very useful to me. I can only imagine my Box with more power and a backseat - :D. At the price point I am hearing Porsche is planning their 4-door at, I am imagining that it will be an amazing car indeed.

Here are some better pictures for you. I hate it!

Sigh. The development of a Porsche pickup is not as farfetch as I thought it might be.

http://www.trucktrend.com/future/spied/163_0508_volkswagen_porsche_trucks/

http://www.stern.de/sport-motor/autowelt/erlkoenige/porsche/:Porsche-Cayenne-PickUp-Laden-Rasen-/524759.html

That's just wrong!!

Ok so Lambo had Hummer type car and Merc has SUV and station wagons and their brands aren't really diminished at all. Although Merc doesn't quiet have the allure it had just a few years ago.

But a pick up has the conotation of blue collar activities.
That's a no go for the brand image Porsche is now enjoying.

A luxury sedan is a big risk I think for Porsche but it could in theory work if they make it very very expensive and give it "unmistakably Porsche" looks.
If it ends up looking like a Lexus with a Porsche crest on the hood it won't work.
Now if it looks truly exotic like a Quatroporte Maserati with a Porsche crest that will definitely make some more dough and maintain the brand image.

so no on the pick up and low cost anything...

Gotta love Alta-Vista. I translated the German text under the picture of the Porsche Pickup. This is what it came back with:

"The Cayenne alone is already an absurdity: Hochbeinig like a jeep, but motorizes like a Racer. On the four-wheel insanity one can still draufsetzen, if one wegflext the rear cab. Cool ones, now must still specially-strong straps on board, so that the rasenmaeher does not fly with accelerating from the loading area"

Glad to know one can still draufsetzen if one wegflext the rear cab! lol...

How come no one ever looks at the links I post? Here is the picture that was in the link that I posted earlier. It looks like an elongated Viper to me. With an extra door. The shape is cool, but the whole concept should NEVER have been attempted to begin with. NO 4-DOOR PORSCHES!!!!! I think this is the death of the sports car. :barf:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...nameraAll1.jpg

See, I look at this in a different way:

Some times people need a car with 4 doors due to whatever reason. I think this is a much better direction for a 4 door than an SUV or the current trend of tall cabins, high seating position, and FWD.

That Lotus Elan was also made as a Kia in its later years... ouch.

There have been more recent spy shots of the Panawhatever (N-Ring I think)....its been significantly toned down from the concept photos. I'm guessing building a car that looks remotely anything like those concepts photo shops what cost at least $300K. That defeats the point of cashing in on popular sedan like Porsche cashed in on the SUV.
The spy shot car didn't seem inspiring to me at all, like another Lexus. But then again it may be only one of more working concepts.

If I were a Porsche Company dude I would come up with a game plan to spin off a new car company with a New brand name and Crest design. Maybe call it Hockhenheim Motors, Rennsport Ltd., Schumacher & Co.,..whatever, get David Beckham to be the spokesman for some cheesy Euro Glam appeal. But It would be strictly to build very high end Sedans and GT's all starting at $150K.
The Luxury brand of Porsche if you will. You've got to strike while the whatever is hot!!

Actually the former owner of my 986 replaced it with a 4dr Maserati.

Yeah, that is probably the smart thing to do - would protect Porsche's brand identity. They should sell the Cayenne under that brand too.

Hi,

Ouch? That's ignorant. The Kia Elan was produced by Kia from 1996 to 1997. It was a licensed copy of Lotus Type M100 Elan, which was built from 1989 to 1995.

After the final production run of the Lotus Elan in 1995, Kia began manufacturing their own version under license. The Kia version is identical to the original. The biggest difference is the 1.8 liter, 151 hp NA engine Kia used in place of Lotus 1.6 liter, DOC Turbocharged 162 hp Isuzu engine.

The Elan made by Kia was never imported here, but Lotus North America had one in Atlanta, which I drove. It is identical to the Lotus M100, except for the power delivery which due to the NA lower power engine, really gelded it. But, the manufacture, Fit & Finish and quality of components were all top knotch.

Lots of companies make cars under license from the original creator. Lotus spun the M100 off because they, and their current parent - Maylaysia's National Automobile Enterprise - Proton, wanted their production facility back to produce the Elise and fulfill a contract with GM to manufacture the Vauxhall VX220, VXR220, and Opel Speedster. This is not at all unusual.

BMW in fact, started in the Car business by producing a licensed version of the Austin 7. Kia is an excellent manufacturer with a very high customer satisfaction rating. The fact that they choose to build mid-end economy cars shouldn't be construed as a sign of inferiority...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Did you know that the new Lotus Espre???(spelling not sure) has a Toyota Celica GTS engine! It's not that powerfull, but it is a very light car. :cheers:

I really do hope the Panamera looks more like the concept. I realize that the actual production model must change to accomodate reality but in some cases, such as the Boxster, the prototype remains the most desirable to me.

Some of these supposed Panamera snapshots are just plain scary: