Porsche 911 Safari SUV Crossover heading for Beijing Motor Show

It seems Porsche are planning to get more sales out of their ‘SUV’ models by launching an SUV/Crossover version of the 911 – the Porsche 911 Safari.

Porsche anoraks bemoaned the arrival of the Porsche Cayenne SUV as a sacrilege, but its overwhelming success has allowed Porsche to garner huge profits and plough a chunk of those in to keeping the iconic 911 relevant, appealing and cutting-edge.

It’s also allowed Porsche to take the Audi Q5 and turn it in to what appears to be a hugely capable and appealing baby Cayenne in the guise of the new Porsche Macan, but it seems Porsche is planning another SUV step with a model that really does seem a  step too far – a Porsche 911 SUV.

Auto Bild’s Motor Revue is reporting that a Porsche 911 Safarai is heading for the Beijing Motor Show in April 2014 sporting bigger wheels and tyres and a raised suspension to deliver a 911 Crossover.

Based on the 4WD 911 Carrera 4, the 911 Safari will also get off-road capable suspension and skid plates and is aimed at drivers in countries like Russia, China and the Middle East where there’s a demand for high-performance sports cars but where there are many, many roads which aren’t suitable to get the most out of a normal 911.

If the concept 911 Crossover concept at Beijing gets a favourable reaction it seems Porsche are planning to roll out the 911 Safari as a production model in 2016.

We love the Cayenne (and think the Macan has huge promise) but we really do think a 911 SUV is a step too far.

Or are we wrong, and Porsche are right to see a demand for a 911 SUV?

Related Photos: Porsche 911 Carrera 4

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Source: C&D