Porsche is a sports car that The engine is flat, located in the rear overhang with air cooling. In any case, that’s what purists thought in the mid-1970s, when the manufacturer’s lineup consisted of the 911, of course, and the more affordable 914. But when the924 arrives in 1976, fans of the brand are in a panic. Front engine in a Porsche? Four cylinders? From a utility company (Volkswagen LT)? Water cooling? Many saw this as an attack on Porsche’s original DNA. PMA (Porsche Front Engine) finally achieved great success (944, 928, 968), and reinforces Porsche’s idea that diversification brings money to the coffers. Unfortunately, in the mid-1990s, the manufacturer accumulated losses. The Boxster 986, released in 1996, opens up access to new market segmentsas well as reaching a more popular clientele.
The Boxster is followed by the Cayenne
It was developed together with new generation 911 (996) which will be released next year. The result: this one inherited its younger brother’s projectors and water cooling. A new insult for purists. Porsche rectified the situation in 2002 by equipping the 911 with new headlights. In the same year, the manufacturer believes that the parade undoubtedly rises above the water. Enter the fast-growing category of premium SUVs. Mercedes and BMW have had success with their ML and X5. “Why not me? Porsche thinks about himself. This is how the Cayenne was born. Developed in partnership with Volkswagen, it is on display near the all new Tuareg. With whom it shares the platform and components. Purists? They eat their teeth, like the journalists of that time.
Doubts, then sanctification
However, curious and change-resistant customers welcome this new model. He introduces a level of finish and comfort that we have never seen before in a car in this category. This observation is confirmed on the road thanks to the many advanced technologies introduced by Porsche. Adaptive air suspension with electronic level corrector, gearbox, four-wheel drive with self-locking differential. Cayenne behaves like a “real” Porsche. Not to mention the melodious sound of its 340 (S) and 450 horsepower (Turbo) V8.
Success is instant. Initially, Porsche expected to sell 25,000 units per year. Eventually it will 35,000 per year for eight years of marketing. Here, Cayenne saved Porsche. But this was not his only feat. Except mother makes history a name and a genealogy which are still preserved today (currently they are at its third generation), he encouraged Porsche to take more risks than before. Panamera, Macan, Taycan… The original 911 with rear six and water cooling has changed a lot!
Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.