Porsche Design Chief Breaks Silence: Has The Iconic 911 Lost Its Compact Soul? - Storyboard

The average car has experienced a substantial 20% increase in size over the past two decades

Porsche's iconic 911 has not been immune to this trend with an increase in both weight and dimensions

The latest models weigh nearly 1,000 pounds more than the original 1963 model's 2,300 lbs designed by F.A. Porsche (Butzi Porsche)

Porsche's current design boss, Michael Mauer, acknowledges the negative impact of the 911’s growth

Speaking to The Drive, he recently expressed his desire for the 911 to return to a more compact form factor

The 911’s growth accelerated after the mid-90s, with the water-cooled 996 generation

However, according to Mauer, balancing customer demands for space and comfort with the brand's heritage presents a significant challenge

Regulations and performance expectations imposed on modern vehicles further complicate efforts to reduce size and weight

While electric powertrains offer performance advantages, their associated battery packs contribute significantly to vehicle weight

However, Mauer states that advancements in battery technology could hold the potential for a future compact 911 in the E.V. era

We need to see if the auto industry's potential shift towards smaller, more agile vehicles creates opportunities for Porsche to develop more compact sports cars.