Porsche and VW could share more models

New models that could be sold as Volkswagens and Porsches are being examined including vehicles that would lower the entry point for the Porsche line-up.

VW and Porsche previously co-operated to build the Toaureg and Cayenne twins before VW took over Porsche last year. Now the German sportscar maker has been absorbed into the massive Volkswagen Group, which also includes Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, Skoda, Seat and Bugatti, more models and technology will be shared.

VW board member and research and development chief Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, says Volkswagen and Porsche will share technology and some common models.

"I think both companies will get a good benefit. Porsche has a good experience and competence in sporty cars and we have a lot of potential in hi-tech engine and gearbox from the volume side and also the concept side of cars that are not available at Porsche now," Dr Hackenberg says.

He says Porsche will be able to save a lot of money by tapping VW. "So Porsche get technology from our side but also electronics and can use it for their cars that are in development now, but also has a possibility to grow with new cars that will fit to the philosophy of Porsche," says.

In response to a question, Dr Hackenberg says it would be unlikely Porsche would do its own version of the Golf, but suggested other models could be shared. "If you think about a small sportscar that can also be used for Audi for Volkswagen I could imagine that we have a collaboration with Porsche to create something that is used for all three companies," he says.

Dr Hackenberg added that no model that would be shared between Volkswagen and Porsche had been approved. He says that whatever is shared between Porsche and the other brands in the Volkswagen Group, the vehicles must be sufficiently different to maintain Porsche's image. "The character of the Porsche brand is a very wealthy image. We would never do anything against the position of the brand," he says.

He points to the Cayenne and Touareg as a good example of how models can be shared without damaging the Porsche brand. "The Porsche Cayenne and Touareg, they have a different character but shared technology," he says. "They are not totally common, they have their own engines, Porsche has some differences in the drivetrain, so there always have to be differences that are very important for the positioning of the car."