Think it’s a trick question? It’s not. The answer is quite simple. A Porsche is not a Porsche when it’s a PGO. According to their website, PGO Automobiles started its journey a little over twenty years ago with, in the driver’s seat, two Car enthusiasts whose initials gave the name to the brand: Prévôt Gilles and Olivier. At the time, the activity was turned towards the production of car replicas. Until the 90s, production is on a small scale.
In 1998, the creative drive of the PGO Automobiles team made it possible to present the prototype of a completely new and exciting car at the Paris Motor Show in 2000: The Speedster II. The aim was to offer customers a car with a neo-retro design, but possessing modern features in terms of design, engine and architecture. Thanks to the presentation of this roadster, PGO became a full fledged car manufacturer.
The PGO Speedster II
Perfect balance between tradition and modernity, the Speedster II is a neo-retro style two-seater roadster with centrally mounted engine. By adopting its elegant sobriety, its driver indicates its penchant for cars with timeless classicism.
With its modern design, rigid and light, you will discover the handling precision of a roadster initially designed as such. The Speedster II is an invitation to traveling with complete freedom and safety.
Performance and Specification of the Speedster II
Maximum Speed: 124 mph
0 – 62 mph: less than 7 seconds
HP: 138
Weight: 2160
If the specs above look at all familiar then you’re probably a fan of early 911s, specifically the 1973 911T (one of my favorite cars). While not an exact match, the numbers are very similar. What’s surprising to me is that the numbers are so similar. More than 30 years separate the two cars. You would think, and I expected, a much different performance footprint.
You might think as a self proclaimed “purist” that I would hate this car. Not so, I like the styling of the PGO (at least from the front and rear) but I’m completely turned off by the performance numbers. Have any of you had a chance to drive one of these? What are they like? How do they perform? Are the similarities to Porsche only skin deep? Or is there more to it than that?
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[Source: PGO]