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 Hatz, 54, is the R&D boss at Porsche. Before that, he was the head of engine and transmission development for the entire VW Group. He also served at Audi, BMW, Fiat, and Opel. Consider his vision of the future reliable.
C/D: Why has Porsche embraced hybrid technology so enthusiastically?
WH: Because it's the technology of the future. I pushed very hard for plug-in hybrids because they allow us to meet tightening greenhouse-gas regulations while offering improved drivability. Also, it's a great experience to drive in city centers using only electric propulsion. C/D: Do you expect the Volkswagen Group's diesel technology to migrate to Porsche sports cars?
WH: Diesel is not the answer for our sports cars. For them, we prefer hybrid technology, with diesel engines reserved for Cayenne and Panamera. C/D: Do you expect naturally aspirated engines and manual transmissions to survive much longer?
WH: There is definitely a market for this technology. Many individuals prefer mechanical watches even though they're aware electronic watches may be more precise. A hybrid sports car with a naturally aspirated engine is definitely one of our future options.  2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S C/D: In that vein, does the 911 platform have a future?
WH: Absolutely. The new versions we've just introduced prove that the 911 concept is more than alive. C/D: Porsche has a very rich R&D budget as a percentage of its revenue. Where does most of your investment spending go today?
WH: We specialize in driving dynamics, engines, and, more recently, plug-in-hybrid technology. We're spending lots of money reducing CO2, but these investments are necessary to prepare Porsche for the future.
C/D: Considering the quest for higher efficiency, is there a future for the VW Group's 8-, 10-, 12-, and 16-cylinder engines?
WH: Some customers still wish to have something very special. Downsizing is a common practice these days, but we expect to have very powerful engines in the future. When customers continue asking for 12-cylinder engines because they like them, they will remain available.  Porsche Le Mans Prototype C/D: With Porsche's move to electrically assisted steering, we've noticed a loss of feedback from the road. Do you consider that a legitimate concern?
WH: No. Steering feel is critically important to us. We believe that the special rack and pinion we developed for our new models provides excellent feedback, and we've had no complaints from the field. And there are excellent opportunities for future improvements—more with electric assist than with the hydraulic approach. C/D: Two years ago Porsche announced plans to return to international endurance racing in 2014. What do you hope to learn that will apply to your road cars?
WH: Our LMP1 project is on schedule, and the car will be ready to test in a few weeks. This program is very important to us because the new motorsport regulations place heavy emphasis on energy efficiency. That makes it the perfect school for our young engineers. Knowledge learned from racing will be very useful in the design of our road cars. 
from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | 
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