Page "Porsche 928" Paragraph 5

Ordered by Ferry Porsche to come up with a production-feasible concept for his new model, Fuhrmann initiated a design study in 1971, eventually taking from the process the final specs for the 928.

Several drivetrain layouts were considered during early development, including rear and mid-engined designs, but most were dismissed because of technical and / or legislative difficulties.

Having the engine, transmission, catalytic converter ( s ) and exhaust all cramped into a small rear engine bay made emission and noise control more difficult, something Porsche was already facing problems with on the 911 and wanted to avoid.

After deciding that the mid-engine layout didn't allow enough room in the passenger compartment, a front engine / rear wheel drive layout was chosen.

Porsche also may have feared that the U. S. government would soon ban the sale of rear-engined cars in response to the consumer concern over safety problems with the rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair.

The Corvair's alleged safety issues were famously detailed in the book Unsafe at Any Speed by consumer advocate Ralph Nader.