Will Porsche eventually build the Carrera(911) as a mid-engine, instead of rear-engine car?

Question

The reviews of the Boxster and Cayman have been glowing lately, with the subtle suggestion that these mid-engined cars are better balanced, better handling, better all-around sportscars than the 911. The Carrera GT supercar is also mid-engined. Is it only a matter of time until the engine in the 911 finds itself on the other side of the rear axle?

Answer 1

Back in 1964 when Porsche introduced the 911, they also introduced the midengined 904. Around the same time competitors like Ferrari were also coming out with midengined cars. Since 1964, it has come up many times "will the next generation 911 be midengined."

In the 1960s the issue was drivability and that in the days before aero elements, the added weight over the drive wheels provided better traction. Moving on to the 1990s, the choice would become more market driven: if you ask someone what a 911 is, you would most likely be told it is a rear engined car with a flat 6. As the most popular model and the key to their financial success, moves to a midengined platform or an 8 cylinder are often rumored, but have never materialized. And unless there is a change in buying habits, unlikely to see such a change anytime soon.

Answer 2

I highly doubt that there will ever be a mid-engine car with a model number of 911.

They tried ending the 911 altogether by encouraging development of the 928 and 944 Turbo. They were afraid that the US government would ban rear-engine cars after the Corvair. That never happened, and the 911 outlived the front-engine cars. There was, and is, demand among enthusiasts for a car with the engine in the wrong place. ;)

I see them ending the 911 when they don't know where to go with it. Which is all the better, as it's the most recognizable sports car, along with the Corvette. I'd rather see the 911 as an icon to the end, rather than being diluted into something that it never was (mid engine, etc).

Porsche has already commented that they will not develop the 911 engine to 4 liters or above. So to continue improving the engine, they'll need to improve the technology, since they're at 3.8L now.

Maybe the 911 will make it to 50 years (MY 2014), but I don't see it going much further than that.

Answer 3

I doubt if Porsche will revise the 911, but the future probably holds a newer designation Porsche with the mid engine design and the power of the 911. The Boxter and the Caymen are grossly underpowered from their big brother. Let's see what happens by 2010.

Answer 4

No. The 911 is an icon. It will not change. That is the point of the 911, it is the origional sports car.

Answer 5

Highly doubt. I think they'll stick with tradition, regardless of the boxster and Cayman's design. When you think about it, they'd have to completely redesign a reigning champ in the sports car world. Doing a redesign would give it more of the cayman/boxster love child appearance in my opinion.

Answer 6

nope

Answer 7

never will happen ever