What is a Porsche? Could it be a large family hauler with seating for seven? Word from the US suggests it could well be in a few years time.
According to Automotive News, American dealers were shown a rendering of a new flagship passenger vehicle at meeting with the automaker last week.
The unnamed vehicle will reportedly make its debut in the second half of the decade.
One unnamed dealer told the trade publication it was a very “rakish” car that was “part sedan, part crossover”.
Another said it had a “flat rear design”. They claimed it was “un-Porsche-like”, and quite distinct from the existing Cayenne and Macan.
While the dealers spoken who spoke with Automotive News believe the new car will be a plug-in hybrid, a full electric variant is likely, and would be a requirement if the car is to be sold in Europe.
Cayenne
We shouldn’t discount the possibility of an EV-only model given the vehicle’s premium positioning, estimated launch date, and Porsche’s belief 80 per cent of its sales will be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.
For its part, Porsche wouldn’t confirm or deny production plans for a three-row model.
A spokesperson told Automotive News the company is “very open in sharing ideas under an initiative, Porsche Unseen, the majority of which do not make it beyond the ideas stage”.
They went on to say, “Whether these go any further than renderings and ideas to make it to the production stage — let alone how they will be powered or configured — is undecided.”
Macan
While the thought of a three-row vehicle might send chills down the spines of many enthusiasts, it’s likely to be less of a leap into the unknown compared to when the Cayenne was launched back in 2002.
Adding a large three-row crossover with up to seven seats to its lineup would make a lot of sense in terms of sales.
The three-row segment is hot right now in the US, and would allow Porsche loyalists to stick with the brand even after their family has outgrown the company’s existing models.
