Porsche targets seventh model : E-Class rival favourite

The smaller relative to the company’s large four-door, the Panamera, has been the subject of speculation, including a development name of ‘Pajun’.

The name is a play on Panamera Junior, as Cajun – for Cayenne Junior – was the working title for Porsche’s new compact SUV, the Macan.

Consistent industry word is that the Pajun would use Audi’s evolved MLB platform to be twinned with models such as the A4, A6 and A8 passenger cars, as well as Q5 SUV that’s already twinned with the Macan.

Porsche boss Matthias Muller didn’t confirm the smaller sedan to motoring media, including CarAdvice, at the launch of the new Macan in Germany this week, but he said seven models would be an ideal number for the company’s range.

“If you include the super sports car, the 918, [our range] adds up to six. In our opinion, seven model series would be perfect,” said Muller. “The typical lifecycle of a vehicle is seven years… by way of calculations we would have a major launch event every year.”

The Porsche Pajun – or whichever name it would adopt for production – would join the 918, Macan, Cayenne, iconic 911 and the Boxster/Cayman twins the company counts as one model series.

Pricing would be expected to start somewhere between $100,000 and $150,000 to distance the Pajun from the Panamera that starts from just above $200,000 and target more powerful versions of models from the German luxury car brands as well as Maserati’s upcoming Ghibli.

A seven-model range has the potential to nearly double Porsche sales from the 162,000 units of 2013 – itself a figure that already doubled the company’s 2009 sales of 80,000.

Macan production has been set for 50,000 a year, which should push Porsche past the 200,000 mark.

Porsche had been considering an even smaller sports car to sit beneath the Boxster/Cayman but eventually went cold on the idea.

The 918 is limited run only, but is tipped to be replaced by a more affordable sports car that rivals the likes of the Ferrari 458 and McLaren MP4-12C.