Now that Volkswagen has acquired Porsche, it is important for the sports car manufacturer to share vehicle platforms with its parent company.

Michael Macht, new Porsche boss, has said that Stuttgart would be willing to share the platforms of its 911 and new Panamera with other vehicles within the Volkswagen stable.

"Porsche needs to become a strong pillar of Volkswagen," he said, "as well as having its own production and research and development capabilities. It is important to use synergies as well as having independence."

While Panamera and 911 platforms would be made available to sister firms for vehicles in development, engines will remain almost exclusively Porsche. Macht said that the Cayenne's V6 is the only engine that will be shared, noting that engine development is at the core of Porsche’s values.

Future development

While Porsche is riding out the global downturn, it aims to focus on increasing sales from 75 000 to 150 000 units with its current models. It is, however, planning to expand the model family.

Macht noted though, that any addition to the lineup would have to have the essence so typical of Porsche's vehicles. "In any segment Porsche has to be the most exclusive, as well as being the best quality and capable of delivering the best driving experience."

Porsche is also willing to venture into greener pastures, so to speak, Macht indicating that a six-cylinder Panamera is on the cards for next year, as well diesel and hybrid Panameras in the not-too-distant future, and even a full electric car.

Before you panic though, Macht has said that these greener Porsches would have to have the same driveability, performance, acceleration and range as a typical Porsche, adding that the technology available now cannot meet these requirements and would need a minimum of two years to be up to the desired level.

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