The rumor mill has been reporting that Porsche was considering adding a shorter, lighter, and less expensive mid-engined roadster to its lineup, based on the Boxster and to be named 718. But if your had your heart set on getting an entry-level Porsche, let go of your dreams. Porsche, while confirming that the project was being considered, has killed the idea.
“You won’t see anything lower than the current Boxster model,” said Detlev von Platen, CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “We had many discussions about this in the group, and the decision was made that the time is not right.”
Not-so-subtly reinforcing the notion of Porsche as an snob-appeal brand, von Platen continued to say that “We’re not talking about entry models at Porsche. Our entry model is our pre-owned program.”
Nor was he talking about two other ideas that have been rumored to be under consideration within Porsche, a four-door smaller than the Panamera and a top-of-the-line “Ferrari fighter.” What he was willing to discuss is the recent addition of the Macan midsize crossover to the Porsche portfolio. The Macan went on sale in May, and by all early indications is a hit.
Von Platen said that the conquest rate for the Macan – meaning the rate at which Macan buyers are coming to Porsche from other brands – is 60 percent, and that the buyers new to the brand are “younger, with more women than we have seen normally, and they are more urban.” Porsche expects both increased sales and a higher conquest rate as availability of the Macan is increased.
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