Do not get your order books out just yet. This is because the car in the pictures is not a Porsche. Indeed, it is not even a real car yet? It is an interpretation of what Porsche might do if it decides to make a new 928. An electric one, that is.
Brazilian car designer Guilherme Albuquerque Knop thought it was about time to give Porsche some ideas and went to work. With the result below, butet’s take a trip down memory lane first.
The Porsche 928 History
During the design phase of the 928, which went into production from the 1978 model year, the focus was on lightweight construction. The doors, mudguards and bonnet were therefore made of aluminium instead of sheet steel. Behind the plastic bumpers, integrated into the body shape, were also aluminium profiles that could withstand a collision up to 8 km/h (5 mph).
The 928 had round, electrically operated flip-up headlights integrated into the mudguards. The round rear was dominated by a large window in the tailgate.The 928 models were powered by a water-cooled V8 engine in which the cylinders were at a 90° angle. The engine’s displacement increased from the initially 4.5 litre to 5.4 litre. Power was transmitted via the transaxle principle.
To improve aerodynamics, models from the 928 S model onwards (1979 model year) were fitted with a front and rear spoiler. The rear axle of the 928 was a completely new development. What made this double wishbone suspension, also known as the Weissach axle, unique was its stabilising toe-in effect. This worked more or less like passive rear-wheel steering, which contributed significantly to the active safety of the Gran Turismo.
928 (model year 1978 – 1982)
The rounded rear with no rear spoiler was an unmistakable and distinctive feature of the 928. Unlike later successors, this model had no front or rear spoiler. The 928’s 4.5-litre engine produced 240 hp.
928 S (model year 1980 – 1986)
The 928 S had a black front and rear spoiler, body-coloured side protection strips and side indicators. Displacement increased from the initially 4.7-litre to 5.0-litre (1986 model year). Power was 300 hp, rising to 310 hp from model year 1984 and 288 hp (with catalytic converter) from model year 1986.
928 S4 (model year 1987 – 1991)
The 928 S4 had a rounded bumper with air intakes. Its sloping rear end had a black rear spoiler that stood away from the bodywork between the wide, flush-mounted taillights. Its 5.0-litre engine produced 320 hp.
911 vs Taycan vs 928?
The rear-engined 911, with all of its variations, continues to claim the title as one of the best sports cars ever produced, getting better with each new iteration. However, as we transition to an era of electrification, we can’t help but worry what will happen to Porsche’s portfolio. Speaking of all-electric vehicles, Guilherme chose to base his independent design research on the J1 platform because the 2020 Porsche Taycan is a wonderful example of automotive engineering.
The Panamera’s body was initially where the designer had put out his concept, but he soon recognized it was too large for a sportier 2+2 GT vehicle. The Taycan’s J1 platform is a natural choice for his independent project because he plans to make the new 928 an electric vehicle (don’t mind the exhaust tips on the photographs).
Risky Business
The iconic design of the current 928 didn’t undergo any significant changes when it was imagined as a fully electric grand tourer. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive design and original dimensions are maintained in the digital concept automobile. After all, the first front-engined Porsche under development—though the entry-level 924 hit the market earlier—was the 928 created by Wolfgang Möbius under the close supervision of Porsche’s Chief of Design Anatole “Tony” Lapine.
The 928 captured Guilherme’s heart after he saw the Tom Cruise film Risky Business. He adds that the 1972 Volkswagen SP2 built for the Brazilian market had similar body volumes to Porsche’s flagship.
The possible 928 successor has gotten bigger and is inherently larger, as is the case with all modern cars. If that is too big for you, you can always opt for a 912 EV Conversion.
Sources: https://www.porsche.com & https://www.carscoops.com/
