[Scorcher]

Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller has told a German newspaper that the brand is mulling a revival of the classic 550 Spyder.
The open-top 2-seat racer would be less-expensive than the current Boxster model, Mueller told the daily Handelsblatt in an interview.
"I can imagine that such a modern version of the famous 'James Dean' Porsche would be well-received by our customers," said Mueller in a story published last Thursday.
We've previously reported on details surrounding a possible new entry-level Porsche model which would slot beneath the Boxster.
That model is said to be scheduled for launch in the summer of 2014 and would come with a (rear) mid-mounted turbocharged 1.6 liter unit with around 200 PS (147 kW / 197 bhp). The starting price for this new entry-level Porsche will be around €39,000 - about €8,000 less than the current Boxster.

Source: Worldcarfans

A Rendering -

[puneet_b]

Gorgeous ! and affordable...well so to speak . This one also looks less Volkswagon Beetle'ish . The front headlamps remind me of the Porsche Carrera GT for some reason. Any pics of the rear Scorcher ? & 197HP eh, I wonder how much would this car weigh ?

[Cyrus43]

No No No!!! Porsche BAD MOVE!! dont Revive a legend!! Not with THIS!!

[Unknownsatan]

That bumper part looks a bit R8 ish!

[Jayabusa]

Nothing else but the name, '550 spyder' has been used. Irrelevance at it's best.
Almost sounds like 'Lamborghini confirms Diablo revival - Gallardo replacement'!!!!
Why such senseless desperate measures?!

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by puneet_b

Gorgeous ! and affordable...well so to speak . This one also looks less Volkswagon Beetle'ish . The front headlamps remind me of the Porsche Carrera GT for some reason. Any pics of the rear Scorcher ? & 197HP eh, I wonder how much would this car weigh ?

There is nothing and was nothing Beetle-ish about the original 550 Spyder, or this particular concept, or even the Boxster or the Cayman for that matter. It's the 911 that traces its roots back to the Beetle. And let me emphasize 'traces' and 'roots', because there is nothing common with the present 911 and the Beetle.

I don't understand why some people link Porsches to the Beetle straight away, without even knowing the actual facts of the car. The 911, well, is understandable. But the Boxster, the Cayman and now this?

[Mr.Boss]

I would say the look is not so impressive compared with the present Boxster, anyway looks are always subjective. The front bumpers reminds me Audi, to be more specific R8. Is it only to me?

Edit: Just read the post #4

[puneet_b]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

There is nothing and was nothing Beetle-ish about the original 550 Spyder, or this particular concept, or even the Boxster or the Cayman for that matter. It's the 911 that traces its roots back to the Beetle. And let me emphasize 'traces' and 'roots', because there is nothing common with the present 911 and the Beetle.

I don't understand why some people link Porsches to the Beetle straight away, without even knowing the actual facts of the car. The 911, well, is understandable. But the Boxster, the Cayman and now this?

I am of course speaking from a personal point of view and I stand by it. The entire range or Porsche's share the same similar look(as do most german brands across their respective ranges) a look which is reminiscent to the beetle so even though the 911 may be the one sharing its 'roots' etc. with the VW beetle they just all look the same hence....but hey to each his own

[avishar]

Originally Posted by puneet_b

I am of course speaking from a personal point of view and I stand by it. The entire range or Porsche's share the same similar look(as do most german brands across their respective ranges) a look which is reminiscent to the beetle so even though the 911 may be the one sharing its 'roots' etc. with the VW beetle they just all look the same hence....but hey to each his own

Thats a problem thats common to Aston Martin as well,but carmakers like these are not sure whether they need to go radical and a new design language or stick to its tried and tested design with a little tweaking.I really think over the past few years car makers of all kinds have stopped being revolutionary in their new designs,almost are latching on to their "family look".

Cars like the Merc W210 and BMW E60 5 series with their path breaking looks are becoming rarer these days.

[puneet_b]

Originally Posted by avishar

Thats a problem thats common to Aston Martin as well,but carmakers like these are not sure whether they need to go radical and a new design language or stick to its tried and tested design with a little tweaking.I really think over the past few years car makers of all kinds have stopped being revolutionary in their new designs,almost are latching on to their "family look".

Cars like the Merc W210 and BMW E60 5 series with their path breaking looks are becoming rarer these days.

Very true there. Not a big fan of how the new VWs are sharing similar looks between the mid and high end models. They must experiment. Heh, Although after the recent 'new' Honda Civic disaster they may be inclined not to ; )

[Scorcher]

The 550 Spyder get rendered.
Source

[Ascari]

It does have a hint of the new 911 and the rear has clear influences from the Carrera GT.As far as people complaining about the looks of Porsche, that's deliberate and Porsche wants all their cars to look similar to their iconic 911.The similarity helps them sell the cars.The 911 is aspirational and the person buying the Boxster or the Cayman wants a 911 but can't afford it,it is as simple as that.The 911 is a modern classic and now looks better than ever,so what is wrong in having a family design language?

IMHO this looks way better than the present Boxster,which looks too much like a girl's car specially as a convertible.

[suhaas307]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Porsche has scrapped their plans of bringing in an entry-level sports-car.

BERLIN - Porsche has dropped plans to build a two-seater sports car which would have been smaller and cheaper than its Boxster model, CEO Matthias Mueller told a German newspaper.

Such plans would risk diluting the brand and alienate traditional customers, according to Mueller. "We would do no good to the brand if we were to lose traditional Porsche customers" by pursuing a smaller Boxster model, the Stuttgarter Zeitung quoted the CEO as saying in a report published on Saturday.

Last year, Mueller told Automotive News Europe that the company was assessing a small mid-engine sports car as a possible successor to the iconic Porsche 550 of the 1950s. He said such a model could launch in 2014.

In January, Mueller downplayed the possibility of the car's launch, telling business publication Wirtschaftswoche: "Possibly we need to wait until the next generation of customers before the idea of a small roadster will work for Porsche."

More on this here.

I'd say it's not a bad move.