Porsche CEO Matthias Muller has finally confirmed that the company is working on a rival for the Ferrari 458 Italia – as Auto Express reported in May last year.
Muller wants to bridge the gap between performance models such as the 911 GT2 RS and the upcoming £672,000 918 Spyder hybrid supercar. The perfect car to slot into that space is a mid-engined supercar that Muller envisages will cost around £250,000.
Porsche hasn’t confirmed a name for the newcomer, but rumours suggest it could be badged 961. It will borrow technology from the 918 Spyder, including a lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque chassis.
Our exclusive image reveals a look inspired by the 918 Spyder and the Panamera Sport Turismo concept that made its debut at the recent Paris Motor Show.
Power is likely to come from the 4.6-litre V8 engine used in the 918 Spyder. Expect around 570bhp and a 0-62mph time of just over three seconds – figures to match those of the 458 Italia and McLaren 12C.
The new supercar forms part of Porsche’s plans to sell 200,000 cars a year in 2018, but the majority of those sales will come from high-volume models such as the Macan small SUV and the next-generation Cayenne and Panamera families.
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Considering Porsche's expertise with Turbo's I am surprised, and pleased, to see that their £250K car will be naturally aspirated. They, like Ferrari, unlike McLaren, seem to appreciate that the sound an engine makes is very important from an emotional point of view.
LOL @ David - Porsche cares less about emotion than either Ferrari or McLaren. They'll probably just add a turbo variant later and blow the Fezza's doors off. Unemotionally. ;)