Porsche News: Porsche Steps Out of the Power Race... On Certain Models

[William Maley]

Sports and supercars have been stepping up with power it seems with every new model. There comes a point where the question is raised is there such thing as too much power. Someone at Porsche believes so.

Andreas Preuninger, the head of Porsche’s GT division (group behind the 911 GT3) tells Car Magazine that future GT models will pass on the horsepower wars.

"I’m not a believer in this horsepower monster, up, up, up, more, more, more. For my personal tastes, around 500bhp is enough, because 700-800bhp calls for bigger brakes, sturdier suspension, it gets heavier and heavier logically," said Preuninger.

Preuninger went on to suggest that future GT and RS models will focus on shedding weight and hit a power-to-weight ratio, not adding 50 horsepower for each generation. Now you might think that Porsche will shrink the power that comes out of their engines for these models. Preuninger says the automaker will not do that.

Source: Car Magazine

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[David]

I agree that not every auto in the companies lineup needs to be the most powerful for that class compared to everyone else. Driving dynamics can make up for less HP / Torque.

[Escoda]

For the 'normal' drivers you definitely don't need anything above 700bhp unless you are tracking the car weekly. Every Porsche I've driven so far didn't even have anything above 400bhp which felt like more than enough for me. 

 

Power to weight ratio is definitely the better option in my eyes, let's see them use more weight efficient materials on their 'slower' models. 

[oldshurst442]

I agree with his Preuninger's assessment that 700-800bhp calls for bigger brakes, sturdier suspension..it does  gets heavier and heavier...

 

My ideal muscle car...because  I prefer muscle cars rather than sports cars like a Porsche 911... would be making 300 minimum-400 maximum horsepower ...torque would be in the same range. no need for more really...but here is the kicker...

I wont want any large LCD screens...no need for wi-fi connections...no need for back-up cameras and every little elecronic nanny.  Blind spot alert and all that jazz...just a modern suspension set-up for cruising and for taking turns...nothing too soft...nothing too hard...but no electronic suspension set-ups that lets you choose...none of that crap...a just a plain ol'radio...with 4 speakers...and a USB port though...because I cant go back to CDs...or worse yet...cassettes...the only electronic nanny I welcome are ABS brakes amnd a mild traction control system so it could save my ass from monumental mistakes...but like I said...300-400 HP and torque...aint that much to begin with...and the weight...because muscle car...the size of a Challenger...a tad bigger...maybe max weight 3500/3600 lbs...

With out any luxury features...and electronic crap....I think that is possible...maybe the mandatory safety stuff like au=irbags might hinder that...

OK...I think its time for me to sleep as I am just speaking in circles...

[Cmicasa the Great]

I agree that not every auto in the companies lineup needs to be the most powerful for that class compared to everyone else. Driving dynamics can make up for less HP / Torque.

 

 

Yup.. The Hellcat proves to me that at a certain point.. enough is enough for PUBLIC consumption. What that means is that having people capable of tuning.. or getting tuning done, normally signifies a willingness to actually drive proper as well. The average citizen is pushing an effin 140HP max Corolla or the like. What does that do to U when U come up on the highway.. in the fast lane with your 400-700HP vehicle and essentially come to a stop.. because that SOB is travelling 55MPH?? It makes U re-evaluate what the hell U bought, because outside of a weekend run on the track.. when are U really gonna use it.?

[oldshurst442]

Yup Casa, that would be another reason why I wouldnt need 700 HP...because you cant use it on the street...even if the street is empty...law enforcement is awaiting for you to give you a massive ticket...

[Drew Dowdell]

The average person can barely handle a 180hp Camry at 6/10ths.   While I'm fairly skilled (for an amateur, I didn't land the ATS-V into a wall like the Jalopnik reporter did with the Camaro, but I was still going all out) at hustling a high-horsepower car around a track, I find myself perfectly content for my daily drivers to be sedate, lower horsepower cars.   I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to live with a 700hp car day in and day out. 

 

The highest horsepower car that interests me personally is either the Chrysler 300C Hemi or the Cadillac XTS V-Sport... and even the V-Sport is a bit much.

[David]

With Electric motors that can give you that same performance numbers, I see the day when petrol / CNG / Diesel engines do go away once we get fast charging and long drives covered with proper storage.

[Drew Dowdell]

With Electric motors that can give you that same performance numbers, I see the day when petrol / CNG / Diesel engines do go away once we get fast charging and long drives covered with proper storage.

 

If it had AWD, I would be perfectly happy with a Volt.  In sport mode it its performance characteristics are roughly similar to a 210hp gas powered sedan.  I've even considered it as a replacement for the Encore, but then there is the no AWD sticking point.

 

We just had the electrical service upgraded in the house 2 weeks ago. We were on 60amp fuses and upgraded to 150amp breaker service.  I made sure they set aside a provision for a future plug-in car.

[Cmicasa the Great]

The average person can barely handle a 180hp Camry at 6/10ths.   While I'm fairly skilled (for an amateur, I didn't land the ATS-V into a wall like the Jalopnik reporter did with the Camaro, but I was still going all out) at hustling a high-horsepower car around a track, I find myself perfectly content for my daily drivers to be sedate, lower horsepower cars.   I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to live with a 700hp car day in and day out. 

 

The highest horsepower car that interests me personally is either the Chrysler 300C Hemi or the Cadillac XTS V-Sport... and even the V-Sport is a bit much.

 

 

Well I was considering getting rid of my Impala, or most likely giving it to my kid , and using the Yukon or CTS-V as a commuter. The new one when it comes out. I'm skilled.. very skilled at driving, but again it has little to do with ME, and everything to do with the idiots out on the road doing everything else in their cars BUT driving. More HP??? No.. we need engine down when a Data is being used

 

[Cmicasa the Great]

 

With Electric motors that can give you that same performance numbers, I see the day when petrol / CNG / Diesel engines do go away once we get fast charging and long drives covered with proper storage.

 

If it had AWD, I would be perfectly happy with a Volt.  In sport mode it its performance characteristics are roughly similar to a 210hp gas powered sedan.  I've even considered it as a replacement for the Encore, but then there is the no AWD sticking point.

 

We just had the electrical service upgraded in the house 2 weeks ago. We were on 60amp fuses and upgraded to 150amp breaker service.  I made sure they set aside a provision for a future plug-in car.

 

 

 

Good Move. CT6 PHEV??? I think that car is gonna be damn sweet. I think I'm more excited for this one than the V

[Drew Dowdell]

 

 

With Electric motors that can give you that same performance numbers, I see the day when petrol / CNG / Diesel engines do go away once we get fast charging and long drives covered with proper storage.

 

If it had AWD, I would be perfectly happy with a Volt.  In sport mode it its performance characteristics are roughly similar to a 210hp gas powered sedan.  I've even considered it as a replacement for the Encore, but then there is the no AWD sticking point.

 

We just had the electrical service upgraded in the house 2 weeks ago. We were on 60amp fuses and upgraded to 150amp breaker service.  I made sure they set aside a provision for a future plug-in car.

 

 

 

Good Move. CT6 PHEV??? I think that car is gonna be damn sweet. I think I'm more excited for this one than the V

 

 

Outside of my budget unfortunately.   Not sure if the Plug-In will be AWD though.  

[Cmicasa the Great]

 

 

 

With Electric motors that can give you that same performance numbers, I see the day when petrol / CNG / Diesel engines do go away once we get fast charging and long drives covered with proper storage.

 

If it had AWD, I would be perfectly happy with a Volt.  In sport mode it its performance characteristics are roughly similar to a 210hp gas powered sedan.  I've even considered it as a replacement for the Encore, but then there is the no AWD sticking point.

 

We just had the electrical service upgraded in the house 2 weeks ago. We were on 60amp fuses and upgraded to 150amp breaker service.  I made sure they set aside a provision for a future plug-in car.

 

 

 

Good Move. CT6 PHEV??? I think that car is gonna be damn sweet. I think I'm more excited for this one than the V

 

 

Outside of my budget unfortunately.   Not sure if the Plug-In will be AWD though.  

 

 

 

I hear ya.. but for that car.. I'd have to figure out a way to make more cash 

 

As it stands I will have to just get the VSeries CTS. I need that car. I just do. The CT6 is me in a few years when I no longer feel the need for boasting I have 640HP. When I do go to that type of car, a Flagship or such, I will most like drop my garage down to two cars and a SUV.. if I stay in MD or NEast. If I move to warmer state, that gets little to no snow.. I am gonna stay with just luxo car (Cadillac) and a sports car (Vette)

[Drew Dowdell]

Maybe if I can find another few good apartment building deals.....

[smk4565]

Porsche makes a 900 hp car though.   So they went well past 700.  But on the 911 and Boxster, keeping weight down is more important than adding power, I would agree with Porsche on that one.