It's interesting because they're only realizing this now, but mainly because it could be misinterpreted as "Yeah well, we'll do some research right after we've built this new special edition 997 we haven't researched the market for".

I dunno. I hope they take this seriously. I have gone from being the biggest Porschephile in the universe to despising this absurd brand dilution.

The argument how certain models (Panamera, Cajun ... or Pendejo or whatever) carry the expenses for the fun model doesn't hold up. If you were walking down a street in an unfamiliar city and saw 25 ugly chicks and 1 beautiful one, you wouldn't say that particular area had beautiful women.

 

I'm pretty sure the Cayman Clubsport is safe. It doesn't require much new engineering and clears the 987 parts shelf (not to mention a hefty profit for decontenting the Cayman S starting point)...

 

If you're talking about the Speedster, Porsche did a ton of research. In fact, they released the Boxster Spyder not only as a series production sportscar, but as a research project for the 997 Speedster.

Just remember, it's the Panamera and Cayenne keeping the 911 and Boxster models alive. Think of the Panamera and Cayenne an excuse to many husbands in the world to drive a Porsche. It makes much more sense that way.

 

But the fact of the matter is, I don't care. Porsche seems to be making twice as many cars as the market demands today. Ferrari dilutes their brand too, with after shaves and keychains, but they make fewer cars than the market demands - so they get away with it. Yes, Porsche has always been a volume manufacturer in comparison to Ferrari, but I get the feeling that they have a 10 billion dollar budget in the engineering department, 5 billion for those who design all the different emblems to put on the back and 25,000 dollars for brand management.

The Panamera or the Cayenne doesn't even bother me, and the Spyder definitely doesn't. It's all these idiotic special edition 997s nobody ever asked for, put together using various leftover parts from the shelf.

If I had been on the waiting list for something that hadn't even reached the port before 2 newer special editions were released, I would have gone absolutely mental.

 

^^ For the 997, here is a special editions list.

Sport Classic
GT2 RS
Speedster

That's it. Only 3 special editions. It probably just seems like so many 'special' 911's are coming out because they're are already 18 to start with.

 

Okay, then I guess it is the Cayenne and the Panamera that I hate

 

It's about to be 4 special editions with the upcoming GT3 RS RS(?).
Anyway 4 special editions of one car. Just think about it, which other model do you know from any brand of which there are 4 special editions in limited numbers? And as if that wasn't enough they keep releasing non special editions which also noone asked for. The 997 has definitely ruined the myth of the Porsche 911 in my eyes. Let's hope they make the next one with 8 cylinders so we can leave this era behind us and start off with a fresh new car and hopefully less different versions of it.

 

But it's not just the special editions. I mean, as much as I appreciate the actual accomplishment of what the car is in itself - I am strictly arguing in terms of the brand here - why make the GT2 less good than it could be so they could release the GT2 RS a few months later? They don't have to have a 997 variant for every living soul's certain requirements. There are too many models, period. Just make the Turbo S the Porsche Turbo.

To quote Hammond, "I would like to buy a Porsche please." "Certainly sir, what color would you like?".

 

This.

 

Jox, just relax, freakazoid. Let Porsche run through the 997 production and then you'll be complaining they don't make enough of the 991. LOL