Porsche considering Ferrari 458, McLaren MP4-12C competitor

Besides the upcoming Porsche Cajun, a baby Panamera and a new entry-level model, Porsche is reportedly considering a new mid-engined supercar that would compete with the likes of Aston Martin Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren.

Now many of you may be thinking that this will be a limited-edition super-expensive model, but reports suggest that the model is being conceived as a regular production model. It will be positioned above the 911 but below the Porsche 918 Spyder, which arrives in 2013 as a special-edition model.

Pricing wise, the new model will be in the same territory as the Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C and the Lamborghini Gallardo – so think around or above $250,000.

“We’re looking to extend the range,” Porsche’s new CEO Mathias Muller  said. “We’ve got an idea to do another mid-engined model. We’re thinking above the 911 but below the 918 Spyder (we think the Porsche 918 RSR would be nice). We have ideas on styling and design, which we will continue to develop in the coming months,” he said.

Plans for what will power the new Porsche model is still up in the air but if it wants to compete with the 458 Italia, MP4-12C and the Gallardo LP560-4, it will need to make somewhere around 550 to 600-hp. Porsche’s 3.8-liter twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder pushes out 620-hp.

We really hope this gets approved.

Refresher: The Porsche 918 RSR is built on a stiff carbon fiber plastic monocoque and is powered by a direct-injected V8 from the RS Spyder making 563-hp. The two electric-motors on the front wheels contribute a burst of 150 kW bringing output to peak drive power of 767-hp. The additional jump in power is generated during braking and is stored in an optimised flywheel accumulator.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar