As a kid, I just loved Mr. Potato head. Take a big box of body potato parts, choose from it what you will and then stick ’em in a different place or different configuration and BAM! you have a new and different (but not necessarily improved) variation each time. With the addition of the Porsche 911 GTS last week and the Porsche Carrera Speedster this week, you could argue that this is exactly what Porsche is doing. In fact, the number of 911 model variants now stands at 20. An increase of three (3) models in a week’s time. That’s right, 20 Porsche 911 variants (and that’s just the US market).
While there’s no doubt that Porsche will sell all 356 of the new Carrera Speedster, at what cost to brand perception? Reactions I’ve read have been mixed. Here are but a couple of the comments made on PorschePurist.
Regarding the Porsche Carrera Speedster
“The 2011 speedster is ridiculous. A fat arse styling exercise for a bloated price is not in the tradition of previous Speedsters at all. They were lighter and did not bear a premium price when offered. This offering is all about creating an artificial “classic”, but there is nothing inviting about it, except exclusivity. It’s a boutique car. No one will enthusiastically drive these automobiles, rather they will put them into storage, waiting for them to increase in value – to someone. I thought Porsches were supposed to be driver’s cars?”
Regarding the Porsche 911 GTS
“Really? Man up and get a GT3! This is fuel to the fire for the “Porsche has gone soft and watered the brand” argument. There are literally 22 flavors of 911s available for purchase — is this a Baskin Robbins or an automaker?
“I want speed, power, and motorsport-inspired handling capabilities”
Porsche: We have a car for that — get our GT3!
“But I like A/C and am utterly incapable of driving anywhere without a GPS.”
Porsche:… Okay, get a Carrera 4S
“THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH”
Porsche: The GTS!
What happened to “No Compromises” guys?”
Our opinion
Personally, I have no problem with either of the two new Porsches. And, even while I’m a bit confused for the need for the GTS, I do like the Speedster. The fact is, if the public doesn’t like them, they won’t buy them. It’s that simple.
What do you think? Is Porsche going too far? Are there now too many Porsche 911 variants? Or, will Porsche continue to succeed as they have in the past, demonstrating that they know their market better than any blogger or automotive pundit ever could?
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View Comments (10)
I've always found it an interesting paradox, that a brand of cars that can infuse such fanatical puritanism in 'originality' and 'standards' (it's not a Porsche because the engine is water-cooled/in front/not 4 or 6 cylinders/blablabla), is also known as one of the most individualistic vehicles. So many get their car with some form of customization from the factory, so many put a tail on it later down the line, or get new wheels, or different front air dam, or race suspension. I'm all for it - you can either buy the bone-stock(?) car and preserve it in formaldehyde for eternity, get the wild customized ride that cruises the boulevard, or turn it into a hard-core track-stormer. The flexibility of the marque and its ability to adapt to whatever situation you put it in is to me part of its uniqueness.
I definitely am NOT going to buy the new Speedster or GTS!
On this subject have a look at this week's 'not an advertisement' in http://sniffpetrol.com.
The same website has commented aptly on this topic in the past.
Karl, That's a great site and a very funny "non advertisement". Thanks for sharing!
I had been thinking the same thing when the GTS was announced, but I looked at a 1972 brochure that indicates 18 versions of the 911 plus 2 versions of 914. That's not counting whatever "R" or "RS" or "RSR" models may have been available to those with sufficient means "back in the day."
I remember Porsche always did that when near the end of the model run. The 998 is approaching, and they are saying goodbye to the 997 with all these special models. I think they used to do that a lot.
But I also think most of these "special" models are indeed only special in their exclusivity. The only one I really liked was the Sport Classic!
IF customers would simply buy the basic Carrera and have their customization fun there, then all these others would not exist. However, it is BECAUSE folks quite willingly spend rediculous amounts of money on these variants (and they are extraordinarily profitable for Porsche) that they exist at all.
Vote with your wallet. But apparently we who frequent these types of forums are the vast minority of new Porsche buyers.
Keep the 911 Pure !!!.Separate it from all other Porsches,Skip all the GPS,Automatic trans,Dohickys and dodads.At least Keep the Legend alive !!!.TGP
The non-ad is priceless. As for the variations, all the Porsche sports cars are variations on a theme. When I bought my Cayman S, the story was "not a Boxster with a roof". The book I received from Porsche said, 25% Boxster, 25% Cayman specific and 50% Carrera. In general, from the A pillar forward, the parts are very much alike and there's not much different from the B pillar. Doors and interior bits and pieces are much the same. There will no doubt be some big changes coming with VW's takeover. Salesmof the 911 (and the Cayman) are down. The Panamera and Cayenne are keeping Porsche afloat. Making variations of the 911 and the Boxster is simply an inexpensive way (to Porsche) to add sales for those who something a little different and can afford it. My dilemma is that I really like my Cayman and know it to be an excellent car. It, in fact, is the first car I have kept for more than 2 years. While I like the new GTS and the GT3 and wouldn't turn one down, I've finally reached an age where I know my limits and the Cayman exceeds them completely. It used to be all about "want" and these new cars will fulfill that need for some. I still want my Cayman and I have no need for anything faster or better handling... well, there really isn't anything better handling on the street. Besides, mynCayman is destined to be a "classic" since it will likely disappear in a few years as VW kills it off in favor of 4 cylinder roadsters. The 911 will continue, but it just may wind up the bastard child of the VW empire.
I have have been a Porsche fan ever since I was 10 and saw the 928. It made me want to learn about them. I've heard Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear say several times that Porsche is the laziest design studio out there and I always scoffed because what they would bring out was so stunning; however, with the GTS and the Speedster I feel he is right and the Mr. Potato Head reference is very valid. I personally don't like the speedster and feel that if the company wanted to honor the car that started it all they could have done so in a better way than adding some extra plastic to the car and putting more angle to the windshield. I long for the days when they would release a new car and we thought it was awesome, as opposed to today where the response is more of "I like it." We had the "awesome" response with the 918 and it was so refreshing because it had been years since a new Porsche really evoked that sort of a response.
Now don't get me wrong, Despite what I've said above I love Porsche overall and I am very interested in seeing the 991. Maybe it can bring back that "Damn, that is awesome" response of yesterday.