Quote:
Originally Posted by GuidoK
The 718 should have been called the 914 imho.
Thats its true predecessor, a smaller more affordable consumer model placed under the 911. Historically that would even have given a good oppertunity to name a 718 if some special version would ever get a 6cyl: the 914-6. That would complete the historical reference 
I never understood why porsche didnt go this way. The 914 was very succesful, over 100.000 made (which was a lot in that time) |
Two big reasons, IMHO:
- The 914 is associated far too closely with VW -- and it was branded as such in many countries in Europe. It would have diluted the Porsche brand and served as a partial de facto reinforcement of the flat-6-vs.-flat-4 debate.
- Reinforcing the Porsche brand through racing pedigree -- as the original 718 has in spades, and as previous generations of the Cayman have established in various series -- make far more business sense. Though the 914 was raced, it was primarily as the 914-6 because the original intent was to sell the 914-6 as a Porsche and the 914 as a VW ... which circles back to Reason #1.