Motorator Blog - Four-Door Sports Cars?

Motorator Blog

Four-Door Sports Cars?

February 28, 2007

Sure, we all expect powerful, elegant sedans from the likes of Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi and now even Maserati. But do we need super sedans from companies such as Porsche and Aston Martin? Mercedes is trying to position their CLS as a "four-door coupe." Porsche is trying the same thing with their upcoming 2009 Panamera. Aston Martin is doing it with their new flagship, the Rapide. Will anyone buy a four-door coupe from Porsche or Aston Martin? Porsche is betting on it, having invested more than $1.2 billion in the new front-engine, rear-drive platform and expects to sell 20,000 units per year.

Purists still think Porsche should have never created an SUV, but until recently, sales have been strong. For my money, I'd rather see this new platform in true coupe form, possibly as the new 928. Then again, with $1.2 billion invested, it's only a matter of time before Porsche sees the same thing.

Posted in General Automotive | 2 Comments

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Martin (over 3 years ago)

I am a huge fan of what the brits call a Q-car, and to my mind the ultimate Q-car have always been the BMW M5, Audi RS6 and more recently the CLS 65 AMG. These cars are a perfect blend of discrete styling (it takes a petrolhead to spot the difference between a 520 and a M5) and awesome performance, a car you can happily take your grandmother for a sunday drive in, only to whip a porsche or two on your way home.

My concern with this new crop of cars, then, is whether they're discrete enough to be a proper Q-car. And if they're not discrete nor cheaper than their significantly better looking and handling 2 door brethren, why would you choose one?

Basically, I'd have the the DB9 over the Rapide any day. And if the Panamera is as much of a design disaster as the Cayenne... Well... you get the gist... Porsche should focus on a proper GT like a revival of the 928 instead.