Porsche Small Car: Sizzling Hot Hatch

Motoring Channel Staff - 10/June/2008

Stuttgart, Germany — According to a respected German car magazine, Porsche is developing a hot hatch.

Rumoured to be set for a 2012 launch and possibly based on the VW Golf platform, the baby Porsche would compete against the BMW 1 Series, Mini Cooper S and Audi's upcoming A1 and S1 models.

While Porsche die-hards are already railing against such a move, correctly arguing that a cheap compact sports hatch would reduce the brand's prestige, the decision would no doubt boost revenues for Porsche.

At the end of the day, shareholders will demand more revenue, so the chance of seeing a new Porsche model after the launch of the upcoming Panamera 4-door sports sedan - whether a compact hatch or perhaps a new compact SUV - are very likely.

The German magazine that broke the story, AutoBild, is calling the new model the Porsche-Golf because it may be based on the Golf platform.

Porsche's rumoured pocket rocket could also use a number of components from the upcoming VW Scirocco, upon which these CG renders appear to be based.

Porsche and Volkswagen have had a close working relationship since the joint venture between the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne came about, and with Porsche trying to take over the Volkswagen Group the two companies could end up merging in future.

Keeping with the its exotic branding, Porsche would likely offer a BMW 1 Series rival with its new super hatch. Here's one scenario:

• Power would come from a front-mounted 4-cylinder (possibly boxer) turbo or supercharged engine from the Volkswagen group with around 170kW (228hp). 

• This small engine would power the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and options would include PASM (Porsche active suspension management) and possibly a more powerful 'S' model with aero and engine optimisation.

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- Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2008)
- Rich Britons Prefer Porsche (2007)
- Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 (2007)
- Porsche 911 GT2 (2007)
- Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet (2008)
- Porsche Cayenne (2007)
- Porsche 911 Targa 4S (2007)
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS (2006)
- Porsche Carrera GT by TechArt (2006)