Miguel Sánchez
With his philosophy of "all behind", Porsche has managed to be one of the brands with the greatest identity on the European scene. Its characteristic rear engines mark a sharp, sporty, nervous behavior in the curves, with a tendency to oversteer and a very particular sound as a result of air cooling.. Not surprisingly, many porschists have always defended the idea that "A Porsche is not driven, it is piloted".
And suddenly, when that identity is fully established ... the Stuttgart brand appears with the 928. A stylish 4-seater GT, with a front engine, all the comforts of a saloon and even the possibility of mounting an automatic transmission. Clearly the car was - and is - excellent. As excellent as it is far from the most purist porsch identity.
What had happened?
FROM GERMANY YOU SEE AMERICA
In the early 70s, Porsche managers sat down with calculators in hand and began to do the math. The conclusion was simple: Although the brand was valued in America by lovers of European sports equipment, Porsche did not have enough sales in that very important market.
In addition, the rear engine architecture was becoming somewhat archaic and the United States was studying new environmental and safety laws. Porsche feared - rightly - that its 'savage' 911s would begin to have serious marketing difficulties on the New Continent; consequently, a somewhat more civilized and modern car had to be developed.
For all this, in 1971 the German factory began to work on a GT with a front engine located behind the axle - which actually makes the 928 a mid-engined car - that brings together the best of the brand, although not necessarily its identity. more classic. The idea was simple, but the execution was really audacious, involving create a completely different range from scratch than the existing one. A 180 degree turn. However, the work progressed at an excellent pace: in 1972 the first models were ready, and in 1974 the prototypes were already rolling.
1977: THE YEAR OF THE DISPUTE
After six years of development, the Porsche 928 was finally presented at the Geneva Motor Show. Of course the result was impeccable: a 2 + 2 with 8-degree V90 engine and just over 4 liters, capable of producing 5 hp, equipped with an excellent rack and pinion steering, a 5-speed manual or a three-speed automatic gearbox, water-cooled, air conditioning, a diagnostic unit on the control panel, meticulous finishes and a futuristic design with the first synthetic material bumpers integrated in the same body color.
In short, one of the best Gran Turismo of the moment. A powerful car with stability thanks to an intelligent weight distribution in which the gearbox is mounted just in front of the rear axle.
In addition, the commercial result was excellent: 60.000 units during its 18 years in production over seven different evolutions. Seven evolutions that, although they always kept the V8 engine at 90 degrees, increased from the 4.474 cubic centimeters and 240 hp of the first version to the 5.397 and 350 of the 1991 GTS. The same happened with the bodywork and equipment.
Porsche had succeeded in developing an impressive GT that was as powerful as it was comfortable, the buyer responded by spending with enough courage and the 928 won the Car of the Year award in 1978. However, not everyone was happy ...
As we know, purists don't always understand changes. The most staunch porschists, lovers of the energetic reactions of the rear engine and air ventilation, disavowed ipso facto of the 928. The contradiction between its general good reception and the rejection caused by the fans of the brand created the image of the 928 as the “cursed” Porsche, the ugly duckling that would never be seen as an equal despite its successes. The same happened, although to a lesser extent, with his brothers 924/ 944.
END OF THE CENTURY AND UNEXPECTED RETURN
The 928 was called upon to make a 180-degree turn in Porsche's trajectory, leaving the philosophy of "everything behind" in the background. However, the flame of the 928 was gradually extinguished unexpectedly compared to its predecessor. And it is that, at the height of 1995, Front-engined Porsches seemed like a thing of the past and what had survived it was 911, undisputed brand icon.
Much of the blame had also been borne by the Americans, especially the recently deceased Peter Schutz, the first CEO of Porsche North America. As it turned out, 911 was not necessarily old fashioned.
The "original sin" of 928 caused its price to be devalued in excess of what, by quality, should be its true value. If we add to that the great production of this model in relation to the exclusive GT range it occupies… it results in really low prices that allowed “popular” collectors access to this model.
Just 40 years after its launch, the 928 is a classic with a relatively accessible futuristic design: although you have to take into account the cost of its spare parts and maintenance, so if you are thinking of acquiring one we recommend that you do your calculations well.
It is easy to see it in concentrations and highways, but it is even easier to "see" it under the more contemporary bodywork in which it is now presented. And it is that, although this is a very particular opinion, in short ... front engine ... 4 habitable seats ... Sporty Gran Turismo but easy to use ... Don't you think the 928 has returned under the guise of the current Porsche Panamera? It seems that we are not the only ones to think so.
