Photo: CAR Magazine
A second source is confirming our report from two weeks ago that Porsche is developing a “717” battery electric vehicle similar to Tesla’s Model S. CAR Magazine is strapping on its “me-too” pants and boldly saying that, yes, Tesla might be onto something and Porsche is exploring the space.
While many articles online will document the technical details that are under consideration, we want to focus on an aspect that no one else is talking about: form.
The original design of the 911, one of the most iconic in automotive history, was based on the rear placement of the engine. All vehicles are structured around the placement of the engine. So when you add in topographic battery pouches and electric motors, can you still be a Porsche?
Obviously, any new designs have to connect with existing design language. No one is going to buy a Porsche that looks like a Prius. However, Porsche engineering excels when form follows function. Letting the engineers push the constraints of the body to the limit is how we got class-leading vehicles like the Macan and Cayman GT4.
The Porsche 717 will be grounded upon Volkswagen Group’s MSB architecture, the spiritual successor to the popular MQB platform that delivers outstanding results in the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf GTI, among others. The MSB frame will also support the Panamera Mk2 and new Bentley Continental.
Those are hefty cars, however, and the 717 is supposed to be smaller than the Panamera. The Panamera is already, at its heaviest, 200 lbs. lighter than the Model S. Porsche will also be able to draw resources from QuantumScape, a California battery-innovator that is partially owned by Volkswagen. QuantumScape is working on solid state batteries that provide three times the range of the lithium-ion batteries that Tesla uses.
While this battery technology is not ready yet, the 2018 or 2019 launch date of the Porsche 717 leaves some time. All this geek trivia will feed into Porsche’s designers, along with a constant stream of Red Bull, or whatever German engineerss drink. Will they have the license to create something truly iconic, nearly 60 years after the 911 originally appeared?
We hope so. The engine changes provide an opportunity to do so. We wonder, however, if pressure from its Volkswagen owners to continue being a profit center will outweigh the chance to be risky and historic. Ironically, the smash financial success of the Macan might prevent Porsche from being hungry enough to go for greatness.
Seize this opportunity to snap up a used Porsche in North Carolina by visiting our showroom. Enjoy life!
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