Georg Kacher had an interesting report in Automobile recently, regarding the possibility of a four-door, four-seat car based on the 918 Spyder chassis for 2017 or so:

"One promising potential spinoff that surfaced earlier this year is project 984: 9 for sports car, 8 for the number of cylinders, 4 for the number of seats. The 984 uses a stretched and reinforced version of the carbon fiber cradle of the 918; it keeps the same mid-mounted, dry-sump V-8, is rear-wheel drive only, but gains two seats and two doors...Michael Mauer has created a stunning full-size concept car that is simply too beautiful to spend the rest of its life hidden under wraps. Styling elements include a 911-inspired greenhouse with a daringly low roofline, air intake scoops neatly integrated into the flared rear doors, and three body-color air extrusion bars between the rear window and the fixed wraparound tail spoiler.

The 984 would in all likelihood retain the more exclusive 4.6-liter dry-sump unit from the 918. Rather than 612 hp, as in the 918, the 984 would need even greater output, in order to eclipse the upcoming GT2 RS, which is going to deliver close to 650 hp. Figure, then, on 700 hp for the 984. A seven-speed PDK box is the transmission of choice to relay up to 443 pound-feet of torque to the 20-inch rear wheels. For optimum weight distribution, the radiators and the battery are mounted ahead of the front axle."

The full story (Porsche's Plan for More Models and More Profits - Automobile Magazine) also mentions that the 960 will be powered by a twin-turbo 5.0 liter boxer-eight. Anyone else heard anything like this? I feel like Kacher often "unearths" these hard-to-believe rumors and then nothing ever comes of them, so I'm curious to know if anyone else has heard anything.

 

Got to be the worst idea since the 918 Spyder itself. What's next, McLaren or Ferrari making 4-door versions of the Halo models?

No.

They aren't dumb enough to dilute their Halo models in this way. Why not make an SUV version while their at it. Might as well.

Go ahead Porsche, take some much needed R&D away from the 960 and build the 984. Then promote it's "social responsibilty & consumption" within the first 2 sentences of every marketing statement.

WTF is the world coming to...