The unusual Porsche econobox was created in four months, and it took its inspiration from the Beetle.
NamePorsche C88 (C stands for China, and “88” represents good fortune and luck in Chinese culture).
Debuted: November 1994 in Beijing
Specifics:1.1-liter four cylinder engine with 48-68 HP, four-speed auto transmission, front-wheel driving, 15-inch steel wheels. 0-62mph (100 km/h) in 16 second, 100 mph (161 Kph) maximum speed
Why Do We Remember It Now?
How is it a Porsche, you ask? The famous crest is not even on it. It’s obvious that there is a problem. It’s not. Porsche Engineering Services designed this sedan to appeal to the Chinese market.
Most people know about Porsche’s role in the creation of the Mercedes 500E (W124), but just as this super sedan was about disappearing, another sedan emerged. The forgotten C88 is a Porsche Engineering Services creation that was created in response to an invitation from the Chinese government to approximately 20 foreign automakers to design a low-cost car.
Porsche developed the econobox to solve its problems. First, a three-door coupe was built. Then, a second car was created that could be used with a variety of body styles, including a sedan, wagon and a pick-up truck. This C88 is the first to be built to full size, the other proposals were just sketches.
The sedan was originally designed for the People’s Republic. However, it could also be exported to Europe. It is fully compliant with all the safety and emissions regulations that were in effect in the 1990s on Old Continent. The C88 proposal was the longest, measuring 159 in (4.03 m), 64 in (1.62 m) wide and 56 inches (1.42 meter) high.
Porsche Engineering Services took just four months to create the sedan. The Chinese government refused to allow the project to proceed. This meant that many other automakers, including Chrysler, Ford and Mercedes, had to abandon their efforts. If the Porsche sedan had been produced, it would have come with a four-speed automatic transmission as well as a stronger 1.6-liter diesel motor. It would have had airbags for both the driver and front passengers, as well as anti-lock brakes to stop those 15-inch steel wheels.
See Other Forgotten Porsche Concepts:
The interior cabin, much like the exterior was simple and contained only the essentials. Porsche created a round dashboard with a tunnel and curved center console to improve things while still keeping costs down. The digital screen looked more like a sticker than it was the real thing. A round cluster of indicators and warning lights surrounded the analog clock that was located to the right of driver’s display.
The logo is not Porsche’s logo. It’s a logo that was created specifically to depict a couple and their child. The engineers originally had in mind the VW Beetle as they were looking to make a reliable, affordable car that could get people from A to B. RanWhenParked explains that Porsche was influenced by a Chinese technician and engineer when creating the C88. This was to better serve the Chinese market as these people were more familiar with what Chinese customers wanted.
The C88, like other unusual concepts like the rad Panamericana or the Cayenne Cabrio will be regarded as a one-off.