We wouldn’t believe it unless we saw it, so here it is. These are images of a mid-engine Porsche with gull wing doors. The significance of these images is that they were used in a patent application from Porsche. Why did Porsche apply for this patent? Obviously, there is no information relevant to what this is in a patent application. So we’ll have to spitball some possibilities-all of them good. 

It looks like it is some variation of a Cayman

HotCars first revealed the images. To our eyes, it looks like it is some variation of a Cayman. A Cayman that has been slightly lengthened behind the doors. This could all be a subterfuge to hide its true origins, but wouldn’t it be great if a reimagined Cayman was in the works with gull wing doors.

Normally, we wouldn’t expect something as gimmicky as gull wing doors coming from Porsche. At least for a production car. So that leads to this possibly being some form of a race car. But why would it need to patent a race car? The clamshell rear opening suggests easy engine access for races. So there’s that.

The vents where a rear-side window should be and the spine running down the rear window is just nothing more than camouflage. Porsche doesn’t need to be honest about details in a patent application. So eliminating those two features-at least the vents in the clamshell, gives a more realistic presentation. It also gives it a more GTS-like look.

There is a historical link to a Porsche from the past

There is a historical link to a Porsche from the past but it was from a long time ago. The 906 Carrera 6 was a mid-engine race car with gull wing doors from 1966. And it was street legal. Porsche needed to produce 50 of them for homologation of Group 4 Sports Car in FIA racing. These were also modified to run in Group 6 as well. Power was from a 2.0-liter pancake-six air-cooled engine based on the passenger 911 engine. 

With Stuttgart relenting to enthusiast’s pressure for a flat-6 GTS, the current 4.0-liter version would be a terrific starting point. So, too, would be the nicely balanced 718 platform. So, if Porsche is looking to expand on its already excellent 718 GTS 4.0 how can it improve on it? Many think it is superior to the 911-that which has grown to ungainly proportions. Let’s be real; it’s a big horse.  

Porsche is built on its flat-6 racing heritage

So, while the Porsche spotlight has shifted over the years to SUVs and then electrification, it is built on its flat-6 racing heritage. If there is fear within the hallowed halls of Stuttgart about the perception that Porsche is projecting with its newfound diversions, then doing a new sports car would be an excellent way of getting back to its roots.

While a normal car company would tally ho! and leave its past in the dust, that would be a huge mistake for Porsche. There are too many diehard enthusiasts to do that. This would swing the racing/heritage/sports car tide straight back to what built the Porsche castle. Let’s hope it is something even bigger than our imaginations can conjure.