nsany - 04 September 2008 08:24 PM

has anyone thought that if the Porsche buy of VW goes through, they we could have a single motor rebranded with 3 manufactures? Porsche, VW, Audi.

They could do a lot more than three. For the North American market, you could also throw in Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti.

But I don't think that's going to happen. When Porsche's takeover is complete, I wouldn't expect them to undertake a motorsports program that requires a larger budget (three or four sponsorship campaigns) just to beat themselves. We've seen different companies badge (essentially) the same engine: Acer/Petronas/Ferrari, Playlife/Supertec/Renault, Asiatech/Peugeot. But I don't recall the same parent company ever badging one engine with different (wholly owned) brands in the same series.

I translated the article, with Google. It actually worked pretty well. The only thing mentioned was they were interested in the small turbo with multiple uses as a concept. That was it. No big desire to join the Indy Car series. Just interest in the engine as a concept. I think most of you are getting the cart WAY before the horse. Until the IRL sets the spec in stone, there is no way to tell who will bite. Is Ethanol that important to Porsche ? I don't think it is, at this point. It's not a world wide fuel. Is the idea of a small turbo of interest ? Yeah, it is. They've done Turbos for decades. They may even see this as a huge advantage to them. If they join, and kick butt, watch for IndyCar to try to reel them back in, al a Nascar with Toyota. I'm sure they would predict that sort of thing. So, would they join ? Maybe, they just supply badged engines ?

It's too early to get all excited about. Just as I predict the Dallara chassis idea will be the SPEC for the IRL, the Honda engine SPEC will probably be the engine design for the series.

nsany - 04 September 2008 08:24 PM

has anyone thought that if the Porsche buy of VW goes through, they we could have a single motor rebranded with 3 manufactures? Porsche, VW, Audi.

What's this Porche "takeover" ??? It's been the Volkswagon-Porche-Audi Group for at least 25 years, hasn't it?

TURN8 - 07 September 2008 05:34 AM

nsany - 04 September 2008 08:24 PM

has anyone thought that if the Porsche buy of VW goes through, they we could have a single motor rebranded with 3 manufactures? Porsche, VW, Audi.

What's this Porche "takeover" ??? It's been the Volkswagon-Porche-Audi Group for at least 25 years, hasn't it?

No. VW used to be the importer for Porsche and marketed it with the Audi brand, which they've solely owned since the early 1960's when they bought out Daimler-Benz 50% interest. While there is a certain commonality with certain Porsche's and VW's (356, 912, 914..a joint venture..924, 944..and today the Cayenne), Porsche has always remained independent of any other company.

Porsche has long been held in majority by the Porsche family.

Remarkable really when you look at it. Porsche came very close to being purchased by DB in the 1980's and today they're buying (They already have 33%) the enormous Volkswagon concern. Their stunning success is attributed to their C.E.O., Wendelin Wiedeking, who entirely revamped the firm.

Jag_Warrior - 06 September 2008 01:22 AM

nsany - 04 September 2008 08:24 PM

has anyone thought that if the Porsche buy of VW goes through, they we could have a single motor rebranded with 3 manufactures? Porsche, VW, Audi.

They could do a lot more than three. For the North American market, you could also throw in Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti.

But I don't think that's going to happen. When Porsche's takeover is complete, I wouldn't expect them to undertake a motorsports program that requires a larger budget (three or four sponsorship campaigns) just to beat themselves. We've seen different companies badge (essentially) the same engine: Acer/Petronas/Ferrari, Playlife/Supertec/Renault, Asiatech/Peugeot. But I don't recall the same parent company ever badging one engine with different (wholly owned) brands in the same series.

Interesting point indeed.

With both Audi and Porsche in ALMS, albeit in different classes (LMP1 and LMP2), it really wouldn't behoove the firm to race against it's own interests.

In that vane, it makes even more sence for Porsche to come to Indy Cars.

ChrisR - 07 September 2008 06:56 AM

TURN8 - 07 September 2008 05:34 AM

nsany - 04 September 2008 08:24 PM

has anyone thought that if the Porsche buy of VW goes through, they we could have a single motor rebranded with 3 manufactures? Porsche, VW, Audi.

What's this Porche "takeover" ??? It's been the Volkswagon-Porche-Audi Group for at least 25 years, hasn't it?

No. VW used to be the importer for Porsche and marketed it with the Audi brand, which they've solely owned since the early 1960's when they bought out Daimler-Benz 50% interest. While there is a certain commonality with certain Porsche's and VW's (356, 912, 914..a joint venture..924, 944..and today the Cayenne), Porsche has always remained independent of any other company.

Porsche has long been held in majority by the Porsche family.

Remarkable really when you look at it. Porsche came very close to being purchased by DB in the 1980's and today they're buying (They already have 33%) the enormous Volkswagon concern. Their stunning success is attributed to their C.E.O., Wendelin Wiedeking, who entirely revamped the firm.

yeah, but they made some of their hefty profit in recent years from dodgy stock manipulation that was borderline legal. those results weren't sustainable long term. they're still a very profitable company though, and will be on pretty solid footing for a long time (amazing given how close they go to going under in the early 1990s)...

I remember I had the pull out poster of the IndyCar Porsche entered in the 500 some years ago - Teo Fabi behind the wheel IIRC.

I had that sucker up on my wall. Pretty cool stuff if they do come back.

The more the merrier.

marshallbanana - 08 September 2008 03:29 AM

ChrisR - 07 September 2008 06:56 AM

TURN8 - 07 September 2008 05:34 AM

nsany - 04 September 2008 08:24 PM

has anyone thought that if the Porsche buy of VW goes through, they we could have a single motor rebranded with 3 manufactures? Porsche, VW, Audi.

What's this Porche "takeover" ??? It's been the Volkswagon-Porche-Audi Group for at least 25 years, hasn't it?

No. VW used to be the importer for Porsche and marketed it with the Audi brand, which they've solely owned since the early 1960's when they bought out Daimler-Benz 50% interest. While there is a certain commonality with certain Porsche's and VW's (356, 912, 914..a joint venture..924, 944..and today the Cayenne), Porsche has always remained independent of any other company.

Porsche has long been held in majority by the Porsche family.

Remarkable really when you look at it. Porsche came very close to being purchased by DB in the 1980's and today they're buying (They already have 33%) the enormous Volkswagon concern. Their stunning success is attributed to their C.E.O., Wendelin Wiedeking, who entirely revamped the firm.

yeah, but they made some of their hefty profit in recent years from dodgy stock manipulation that was borderline legal. those results weren't sustainable long term. they're still a very profitable company though, and will be on pretty solid footing for a long time (amazing given how close they go to going under in the early 1990s)...

Porsche make more profit per vehicle than any other manufacturer on earth.

Their parts profit is likewise impressive.

ChrisR -

Their parts profit is likewise impressive.

Tell me about it... :(

boxstermike - 05 September 2008 01:33 AM

parrothead - 03 September 2008 09:23 AM

Porsche would been great, but if you want Americans to get excited about open wheel engine wars you need one of the following Chevy, Ford or Dodge.

I would love to see Chevy beat Honda again.

Not this American. There needs to be differentiation to Nascrud. Bring on Porsche, Mercedes, Cadillac, Audi and BMW to bring IndyCar back to the "status" symbol it used to be.

Especially bring on Porsche!

First of all, there's no need for name calling. Second, I really don't care which manufacturers come into Indycar be it Chevrolet, Cadillac, Audi or BMW. However, parrothead makes a good point. Most Americans, I think, love a Chevy vs. Ford battle more than a Porsche vs. Honda battle. It occured before in Indycar. Why should it not happen again?