Porsche expands its range with a new rival sedan with the BMW i4 Car News

Porsche is developing a business case for a seventh model line that could see it challenge the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4 with a fastback-style electric sedan closely tied to Audi’s A4 E-tron.

The new model is proposed to use the EPI platform developed in partnership by Porsche and Audi and place under the Taycan at a starting price of around £ 50,000 in the UK.

Details remain scarce, although there have been suggestions that the new model could take the Cajun name first registered by Porsche in 2011. Insiders told Autocar that Porsche’s third all-electric model is intended for to share key platform, drivetrain and battery components with the upcoming Macan EV – alongside which it is expected to be produced at the Porsche plant in Leipzig, Germany.

An engineer said: “The modular nature of the EPI platform will allow us to expand our range of electric cars with a range of different models. It is designed for standard and high ground clearance. A second sedan [saloon] the model is a possibility.

Audi and Porsche have cooperated in the development of the Taycan and the E-tron GT and are currently involved in the joint engineering of the electric Macan and the Q6 E-tron.

Previously, they worked together on the development of the Macan and Q5, as well as hybrid variants of the Cayenne and Q7.

As with the A4 E-tron, the proposed Porsche model will likely offer the choice of single-engine rear-wheel drive and dual-engine four-wheel drive powertrains.

The decision on whether or not to produce the new five-door model has yet to be made, but sources say Porsche is building sufficient production capacity for a possible seventh model range with a € 600million upgrade. (£ 519million) from its Leipzig plant. The investment, announced last year, will allow the creation of a new body shop of 75,500 square meters. It will also allow Porsche to manufacture gasoline, hybrid and electric drivelines on a single production line.

The Porsche factory in Leipzig is also home to a 7 MW charging park, and models currently produced there include the Macan, Panamera and Panamera Sport Turismo.

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