Porsche 989 Concept 1988

[COLOR=black]Porsche 989 Concept[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]This is all I've got.[/COLOR]

Taken from Wikipedia:
[COLOR=black][B]989[/B] is the internal Porsche project number for a four-dour luxury sports sedan that never went into production.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]Type 989 development was initiated in 1988, and was overseen by Dr. Ulrich Bez, who was also responsible for the 993 series.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]The platform for the 989 was front-engine, rear-drive, with a wheelbase of 2826 mm.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]A new 80-degree, water cooled V8 engine with a displacement of 3.6 liters and a power output of at least 300 bhp at 7000 rpm was developed. (Various sources cite different engine displacements. According to [I]Autoweek[/I], the 989 V8 engine was to be all-aluminum, displacing 4.2 liters.)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]The prototype was designed by Harm Lagaay, the result foreshadowing the lines of later models such as the 968, 993 and 996. Specific design influences to later Porsche models include the control-arm suspension, which would later be used on the 993, as well as the headlight and tail-light designs which were obviously adapted for the 996. (Autoweek)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]After Ulrich Bez left Porsche AG in September 1991, the project lost momentum, and in January 1992, development of the 989 was halted. Although Porsche officials initially claimed that the only prototype was destroyed, they now contend that it still remains in storage. A rear-view photograph of the prototype (silver color, 17 inch Cup II wheels, unregistered licence plate BB-PW 989) is published in the German classic car magazine Motor Klassik, No. 4/2003, p. 28.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]The Porsche Panamera, due in 2009, can be considered as the successor of the 989 project.[/COLOR]

If you have any high-res shots please post them. This image is slightly below 1024*768, but it'll have to do until somebody posts more.

EDIT: My 200th thread :). Enjoy

Porsche 989 Concept #2

(still slightly below 1024*768 :()

The magnum opus on Porsche: Excellence was expected, by Karl Ludvigsen gives a bit more, including a pic of BB-PW989, according to Bez to the Learjey for the Road.

There were tow competing designs, one by Giugiaro and one by Harm Lagaay, who had just taken over the styling department. His was the design of the car shown. Bez: Piech and I spent half an hour in the studio alone with a model of Lagaay's design and could not find enything wrong with it.

The new engine was a 3.6 all-alloy V8, DOHC, weighing 419 pounds
engine size could be stretched to 4200 cc, giving 344 in stead of 300 BHP (after the 989 was axed Porsche tried to sell the engine to others, but nobody wanted it).

Development of the car was done by using a Mercedes 300CE body fitted with engine, powertrain and suspension of the 989.

The cancellation of the project in January 1992 was mainly based on the horrendous cost overrun already experienced and the uncertain market chances of the car.

Ludvigsen does not mention whether the prototype still exists, but he quotes Wiedeking: We tried to something of the project (i.e. selling the engines) but we failed so we scrapped everything.
Whether he meant this literally is unclear.

What was certain is that the project created a lot of antagonism within Porsche, with blames mostly going to Bez and Arno Bohn, who became Porsche MD in March 1990.

hmmmm, just looks like a stetched 911, oh wait, thats what it is, at least the rapide managed to keep the DB9 syle, this just lookes like a 928 had some sick affair with a 911 and then mutilated the child!

it looks stupid, porsche should not make a sedan..

[QUOTE=HondaNSX]it looks stupid, porsche should not make a sedan..[/QUOTE]

or a SUV?

[QUOTE=henk4]or a SUV?[/QUOTE]
Especially not since it's only their best selling model and Porsche defintely can't use the additional capital to invest in developing new sports models.

[QUOTE=henk4]or a SUV?[/QUOTE]

I think it's for Porsche one of the best desicions ever. They made some big money and can now invest in new cars and other development.

[QUOTE=jorismo]I think it's for Porsche one of the best desicions ever. They made some big money and can now invest in new cars and other development.[/QUOTE]

Maserati is currently being kept afloat by the QP:)

man that thing is UGLY

[QUOTE=Cotterik]man that thing is UGLY[/QUOTE]
I second that.

Good thing they never sold that ugly pile.

It is a concept...not many concepts look nice but I really think the idea of a 4-door Porsche is bad. It just doesn't feel right but then again, I can't wait to see what design they come up with.

not feelin it

[QUOTE=Wolf03]It is a concept...not many concepts look nice but I really think the idea of a 4-door Porsche is bad. It just doesn't feel right but then again, I can't wait to see what design they come up with.[/QUOTE]

it was not a concept, it was really being prepared for serious production, but economic circumstances prevented that.

[QUOTE=henk4]it was not a concept, it was really being prepared for serious production, but economic circumstances prevented that.[/QUOTE]
In this case, can we thank god for that?

[QUOTE=spi-ti-tout]In this case, can we thank god for that?[/QUOTE]

God will retaliate wilth the new Panamera, which looks pretty much like the 989:)

[QUOTE=henk4]Maserati is currently being kept afloat by the QP:)[/QUOTE]

never mind kubang will be along soon :rolleyes:

doesn't look too bad actually

My god. The front end is the ugliest front of a car I've ever seen.

[QUOTE=6speed]My god. The front end is the ugliest front of a car I've ever seen.[/QUOTE]

yeo\p, it looks exactly like a 911......

Porsche 989 prototype. Pictures taken in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

[url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_989"]Porsche 989 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url]

Another one.