Porsche's Quad-Turbo Flat-Eight Supercar Delayed by VW TDI Scandal
One of the most exciting rumors we've heard this year is about Porsche's secret mid-engine supercar, set to do battle with Ferrari, McLaren and others. We reported in April that Porsche aimed for a 2019 launch. Unfortunately, though, that date might be pushed back, and it's all due to Volkswagen's diesel cheating.
In a report on the Volkswagen Group's future products, Automotive News reports that this mid-engine supercar, thought to be called the 960, has been pushed back to as late as 2026. Citing anonymous sources, Automotive News reports that while there is some likelihood the 960 could arrive in 2020, it's also possible that the project could be shelved entirely.
Indeed, VW Group CEO Matthias Müller pledged in a statement last year that any project "that is not absolutely necessary will be cancelled or postponed." Müller wasn't speaking about a specific product in this statement, but a limited-production supercar likely costing around $250,000 could qualifiy as "not absolutely necessary."
It's also been previously reported that the 960 could use the VW Group platform shared by the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan. Rumor has it the 960 would be powered by an outrageous quad-turbo flat-eight, based on the same architecture as Porsche's 2.0-liter flat-four in the 718 and 3.0-liter flat-six in the 911 Carrera and making up to 650 horsepower. The 960 would slot below the 918 Spyder (pictured above), and above the 580-hp 911 Turbo S.
We really hope VW's diesel cheating doesn't kill this project, because a Ferrari 488-fighter from Porsche would be incredible.
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