The Porsche 989: A Forgotten 4-Door Performance Concept - AllCarIndex
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In the late 1980s, Porsche was riding high on the success of their 928 model. However, increased sales of this grand touring car prompted the executives at Porsche to consider adding another large, sporty touring vehicle to their lineup. Enter the Porsche 989, a 4-door performance-oriented sedan concept that was meant to offer luxury, comfort, and exceptional sportiness all in one package.
Dr. Ulrich Bez, a Porsche engineer, was given the task of creating this new concept. He designed a front-engine, rear-drive platform with a wheelbase of 2,826 mm and outfitted it with a powerful 80-degree, water-cooled V8 engine producing around 300 horsepower. The design was sleek and modern, with styling cues that would influence future Porsche models.
The prototype, styled by Harm Lagaay, featured innovative design elements such as control-arm suspension and 959-esque headlamps. Despite some similarities to the iconic 911, the Porsche 989 was a unique and exciting concept that promised to push the boundaries of what a luxury sedan could be.
Unfortunately, after Dr. Ulrich Bez left Porsche in 1991, the project lost momentum. With sales of the 928 slumping and overall profits down, the executives at Porsche decided to halt development on the 989 in January 1992. While they initially claimed that the prototype had been destroyed, it is now believed to be in storage, waiting to be rediscovered.
Even though the Porsche 989 was never produced, its legacy lives on in the Porsche Panamera, which was launched in 2009. The Panamera can be seen as the spiritual successor to the 989 project, offering a blend of luxury, performance, and practicality that would have made the original concept proud.
While the Porsche 989 may have been forgotten by many, its impact on Porsche's design and engineering can still be felt today. Who knows what the automotive world would look like if this innovative 4-door sedan had made it to production? Perhaps we'll never know, but the legacy of the Porsche 989 lives on in the hearts of Porsche enthusiasts everywhere.
