Autocar confidential: Porsche, Ferrari, Peugeot, Skoda

This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news of possible Skoda vRS versions, Porsche's future in Formula 1, new Peugeot 3008 models and Ferrari's technological advancements. 

Skoda denies the Fabia a vRS makeover

Skoda might not do a vRS version of the latest Skoda Fabia, because the numbers “don’t really add up”, according to company CEO Bernhard Maier.

However, he said he could see a Skoda Superb vRS working, because its higher price point would allow the firm to engineer something “really special”. A Kodiaq vRS is unlikely, but there will probably be a Sportline version. 

Read more: Skoda named most reliable car brand in 2016, Skoda electric SUV under development

Porsche's Formula 1 future

Porsche continues to see more merit in World Endurance Championship racing than Formula 1, according to chief executive Oliver Blume, because it offers a better opportunity to research road-relevant hybrid technology.

“In terms of the plug-in hybrid we use at Le Mans, that experience is being carried over to our road models,” he said. “It’s important in terms of long tests of hybrid technology.” 

Read more: Porsche 911 R prices 'rise to almost £1 million', 2016 Porsche 718 Cayman review

Peugeot plots a VW Tiguan rival

Peugeot could make a seven-seat version of its new SUV, the 3008, to rival the Volkswagen Tiguan.

“Everything is possible,” Peugeot product director Laurent Blanchet said. “We are thinking about the future and we see what our competitors do and, of course, Volkswagen is one of our main competitors.”

Read more: 2017 Peugeot 3008 reborn as SUV, Peugeot 308 GTi long-term test review

Ferrari LaFerrari's tech advancements

The amount of electronic vehicle control systems in Ferrari models increased from four to 22 between 1994 and 2015, peaking with the HY-KERS system on the manufacturer’s LaFerrari hypercar.

A team of around 10 engineers works on tuning these systems, which have included the E-diff, F1-DCT gearbox and the manettino switch, for its road cars.

Read more: How to own a special edition Ferrari, 2016 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso review and video