Porsche looks to 5 Series

Porsche is looking at a four-door to undercut its own Panamera... And BMW's 5 Series and its ilk are in its sights.

That's just some of the news from motoring.com.au's 'fireside chat' with Porsche development head, Wolfgang Hatz, in Los Angeles this week. The on the record discussion took place at the function to welcome the new 991 Series 911 to the automotive press ahead of the LA Motor Show and its launch drive this weekend.

The effusive Hatz is a member of the Porsche board and Vice President Research & Development. In addition he is currently Head of Engines and Transmissions Development for the Volkswagen Group.

Without doubt a car enthusiast first and foremost, Hatz cut his teeth in the racing departments of BMW and Porsche including F1 programs for both brands. He ran Opel's motorsport division and, before taking over the reins as Head of Engines and Transmissions Development at VW and then Audi, did the same job at Fiat. He is in a word, connected!

When Herr Hatz talks, you listen – there's plenty to hear about.

In a wide ranging discussion motoring.com.au asked Hatz whether Porsche would venture into the small sedan space. He was unequivocal with his answer... It must... Though Hatz' definition of small took us by surprise.

"It is certainly something we could consider... That we should consider," Hatz told motoring.com.au.

"But I cannot see Porsche going smaller than a C-segment car. It would be about 5 Series sized – I can see that," he said.

There is no dichotomy in the statement. Though in Australia and in some other markets we categorise C-segment as Golf sized car, in the German marques' terms Golf is A... It follows that Passat, Mondeo and the like are B and 5 Series and E-Class are C.

Hatz was clearly excited about the prospect, though guarded in details.

"For sure it is something that would be related to MSB platform. It would have to be," he stated.

Thus, according to Hatz, the 5 Series sized car would still be based on the same platform as its big brother – the Panamera. In this instance it will therefore share some architecture with the next generation Audi A8 and Bentley's next Continental (and larger models).

"It would be a car that is shorter than Panamera [though].

"Shorter but with [Hatz hunkers down to indicate the planted stance of the car] width... That I could see."

Second picture shows current Bentley Continental Flying Spur, built on MSB ('Mid-sized Bentley') platform.

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