Sounds like an april fools joke to me, but they seem serious about it. This is so not Porsche. The hedge fund strikes again!
The only thing I would have been more surprised about, would have been a boxer diesel engine, because the Director of Powertrain Development of Porsche recently said in a lecture at my university that this is a big no go. (being asked about the Subaru boxer diesel)
It's Porsche's philosophy to only build boxer engines. And only gasoline because diesel doesn't go to well with a boxer alignment (put simple: it's no good for the crank shaft).
Furthermore 176 kW is (imho) a ridiculously low power output for a Porsche. I think Audi offers better engines. (Even though 550 Nm is more torque than the standard Cayenne offers. So, only the top speed but not the acceleration is affected.)
Why wouldn't they have the knowledge to do a proper boxer? It's the only thing they do. Furthermore they are always on the forefront of new technology. Well ok, they're not among the best when it comes to engines, like BMW, Honda, Ferrari, etc, but they're good.
RIP Porsche because part of Porsche's philosophy and culture is being buried.
See, they make the same car for decades and still sell it.
but still http://www.mercedes-amg.com/SL65BlackSeries/wallpapers/1920x1200_airport3.jpg FTW!
Furthermore 176 kW is (imho) a ridiculously low power output for a Porsche. I think Audi offers better engines. (Even though 550 Nm is more torque than the standard Cayenne offers. So, only the top speed but not the acceleration is affected.)
But SUV's in general are epic fails. They are not suitable for offroad nor to drive in normal traffic.
Who cares for what Porsche does or doesn't do, they have been making the exact same car for decades, 911.
RIP Porsche because part of Porsche's philosophy and culture is being buried.
See, they make the same car for decades and still sell it.
Still, I have no feelings to direction or another. They haven't really evolved along the years, and that has worked for them.