Supervisory Board of Porsche AG appoints Detlev von Platen Head of Sales and Marketing

Detlev von Platen (51) who will be a member of the Porsche Executive Board for Sales and Marketing

Press Release 30/09/2015

Oliver Blume is new Chairman of the Executive Board Stuttgart. At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG appointed Dr. Oliver Blume (47) the Chairman of the Executive Board of the sports car manufacturer effective October 1, 2015. Blume succeeds Matthias Müller (62), who was appointed by the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG to be the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the Wolfsburg-based group. It has been exactly five years since Müller left Volkswagen to become the CEO of Porsche AG. Since the beginning of 2013, Blume has been a member of the Porsche Executive Board responsible for Production and Logistics. Dr. Oliver Blume Another new appointee is Detlev von Platen (51) who will be a member of the Porsche Executive Board for Sales and Marketing. Von Platen comes to Zuffenhausen from the USA where he was Head of Porsche Cars North America for just over seven years. The new Head of Sales will assume his new post on November 1, 2015. Detlev von Platen On the same date, his predecessor, Bernhard Maier (55), will be reassigned from Zuffenhausen to Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic where he will assume the position of Chairman of the Board of Management of Škoda. The Supervisory Board appointed the Executive Board Member for Finance, Lutz Meschke (49), as the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board. The previous Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board was Thomas Edig, who is leaving the company at the end of September to take a position as Board Member for Human Resources at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand. Lutz Meschke The Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, is especially pleased to see that “our new member of the Executive Board and new Chairman of the Board come from within the company. Porsche not only has a highly motivated workforce, but also has a very large number of exceptionally qualified managers,” stressed Dr. Porsche. Moreover, appointing people from within the company emphasises the family aspect of the Porsche culture. Dr. Porsche thanked the departing Chairman of the Executive Board Matthias Müller for achieving a unique balance during his five years of service. “Under Matthias Müller, Porsche introduced ground-breaking new products,” said Dr. Porsche, mentioning the 918 Spyder supercar and the compact SUV Macan in particular. “The first-second finish at the legendary Le Mans racetrack with our 919 Hybrid technology platform was the icing on the cake,” is how Dr. Porsche expressed his great respect. Furthermore, during the Müller era the sports car manufacturer experienced economic gains that most would not have predicted five years ago. “Porsche practically doubled its unit sales, revenue and workforce size over this time period,” said the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and he avowed this an accomplishment that is certainly unequalled in German industry. Uwe Hück, Chairman of the Group Works Council of Porsche: “Ever since 2010, Matthias Müller has been the ‘turbocharger’, the driving force for great advances at Porsche. He embodies our Porsche DNA. We are not happy to see him go. But his successor, Oliver Blume, is no budding manager; rather he is in full bloom. He has the right drive technology in him, and he is a Porsche person through and through. What I value in him is his down-to-earth nature, his social-mindedness and the way in which he enthuses and rouses our colleagues. He has a big heart and he is one of us. And I think that appointing a Production person to the top position is a strong statement. I am certain that Oliver Blume is the right choice for successfully continuing and further developing what we have built up together with Matthias Müller. If we want to follow through on our planned projects and assure our future, we need continuity.” Oliver Blume will take the helm in Zuffenhausen in an exciting time. Porsche is investing over 1.1 billion euros in its current production sites over the next five years. For instance, a new engine plant and a new body manufacturing plant will be built at the company’s main business site. The assembly line in Zuffenhausen will also be extended. In the future, not only will all 911 and Boxster cars come off the assembly line here, but also Cayman models starting in summer 2016. As the board member for Production and Logistics, Blume himself oversaw the extensive preliminary groundwork for this and also the setup of the shop for handcrafting the 918 Spyder and further expansion of the Leipzig plant for the Macan and full production of the Panamera. That is also why Dr. Porsche has expressed his confidence that “we have found the best possible successor for Matthias Müller considering his exceptionally high professional competence and pronounced teamwork skills.” In upcoming weeks, a decision will be made on the successor to Blume as the Board Member responsible for Production. Dr. Porsche also expressed his thanks to departing member of the board Bernhard Maier: “In 14 years, Mr Maier advanced the professionalism of the entire sales organisation and systematically drove the company’s international growth – first as CEO of Porsche Germany and then, starting in 2010, as Board Member for Sales and Marketing. Under his leadership, brand value was boosted significantly, and his high level of commitment helped Porsche to attain top customer satisfaction ratings. This has sustainably increased the brand’s appeal,” explained Dr. Porsche. Maier took Porsche Sales to new dimensions with the successful market launches of the Panamera and the compact Macan SUV – which led to significant increases in sales and workforce figures. According to the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, his successor, Detlev von Platen, has the greatest possible experience for seamlessly continuing the success of his predecessor. Under von Platen’s leadership in the USA, for example, he succeeded in nearly doubling the number of new vehicle deliveries from around 26,000 when he assumed his post in 2008 to the current level in this business year. The crowning achievement of his time in the USA was the opening of the new headquarters of Porsche Cars North America this spring in Atlanta, which includes a Customer Experience Center with its own circuit track. SOURCE Communication Porsche AG Corporate Communications

 

VIDEO: Porsche 918 Spyder Test Drive by Faster Magazine on backroads near Stuttgart

Awesome #Porsche 918 Spyder Test Drive !
Our friend, editor in chief Jakub Rejlek @Faster magazine pushed the Porsche 918 Spyder hard on some backroads near Stuttgart. CHECK it out!
Love the DRIFTING at 1:30 – and be sure to TURN YOUR VOLUME UP and experience what it’s like behind the wheel.
Enjoy! And thank you Jakub Rejlek!

 

40 Years of Porsche Design – Special exhibition at the Porsche Museum

The world’s first black timepiece, and at the same time luxury brand Porsche Design’s first product: The “Chronoprapgh I”.

40 Years of Porsche Design

 

Stuttgart. The world’s first black timepiece, the legendary exclusive spectacles and the Porsche 911 – for decades, all these products have stood for a unique design by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche: In 1972 he founded the “Porsche Design Studio” in Stuttgart, the head office of which was relocated to Zell am See in Austria in 1974.

Starting today, the Porsche Museum is marking the company’s 40th anniversary with a special exhibition: from 13 November 2012 to 17 February 2013, visitors can experience the most important, most interesting and most extraordinary products as well as how Porsche Design came to exist.

40 Years of Porsche Design

The focus of the anniversary exhibition is on the “Porsche Design” brand, which in recent years has been developed into one of the world’s leading luxury brands with its own sales network. F.A. Porsche designed numerous classic men’s accessories such as watches, spectacles and writing implements, which achieved worldwide recognition under the “Porsche Design” brand. In parallel, with his team, he designed a plethora of industrial products, household appliances and consumer durables for internationally renowned clients under the “Design by F.A. Porsche” brand. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche won numerous honours and awards for his work as a designer.

40 Years of Porsche Design

For example, the “Chronograph I”, a milestone in the watchmaker’s craft, is a compulsory exhibition piece. The world’s first black timepiece, and at the same time luxury brand Porsche Design’s first product, created a furore in 1972 because the automatic chronograph – considered unthinkable at the time – was designed in matt black throughout and provocatively unadorned. With this chronometer, F.A. Porsche was anticipating a trend that is part and parcel of today’s watch industry and even then was considered to be revolutionary. In addition to the chronograph, the visitor will also be presented with other products from the accessories and spectacles range. For example the Porsche Design P’8478 exclusive spectacles will be on display, already purchased by more than 7 million wearers. Writing implements and pipes will also feature in the exhibition.

The adjustable “Antropovarius” lounge chair is also on display as the “Alternative Motorcycle Concept”, AMK.

A highlight of the special exhibition is the grand piano, which the Porsche Design Studio designed for the Bösendorfer piano factory in 2003. This grand piano symbolises the studio’s design output, characterised by a clear, functional design language, meticulous choice of materials and top quality workmanship. The adjustable “Antropovarius” lounge chair developed by the Porsche Design Studio in 1982 in collaboration with the Institute of Ergonomics of the University of Munich will also be on display as will the “Alternative Motorcycle Concept”, AMK, devised in 1980 as an alternative solution to the car and to conventional motorcycles.

The Porsche Museum is marking the company’s 40th anniversary with a special exhibition from 13 November 2012 to 17 February 2013.

In addition to a selection of special design developments, the visitor will also gain an insight into the everyday creative life of Porsche Design’s employees. This is where those who are interested will discover not just the individual steps in creating the product – from conceiving the idea through to design – but also the sources of inspiration. For example, in the case of the pipe, it is explained that when it came to the cooling ribs, F.A. Porsche took his lead from air-cooled single cylinder motorcycle engines. The Porsche museum also looks back at the life’s work and man that was F.A. Porsche, who created legendary cars such as the 904 Carrera GTS and Porsche 911. In the process the visitor will find out things such as why in 1974 F.A. Porsche decided to locate the Design Studio in Zell am See.

At 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays, the visitor has the opportunity to experience the special exhibition in the course of a one hour themed tour.

The Porsche Museum is using the anniversary exhibition as an opportunity to extend its tour programme. At 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays, the visitor has the opportunity to experience the special exhibition in the course of a one hour themed tour at a price of four euro per person. The Store at the Porsche Centre in Stuttgart Zuffenhausen also offers a ten per cent discount on Porsche Design products upon presentation of the museum entrance ticket.

The volume “Porsche Design 40Y – The Book” is also being published in time for the anniversary, available in both German and English for 98 euro in the Porsche Museum shop as well as in book stores. In the course of more than 570 pages, the reader is acquainted with an insight into the history of Porsche Design.

The Porsche Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is eight euro for adults and four euro for concessions. Further information is available on the Internet at http://www.porsche.com/museum.

SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database

Communication Porsche AG
Porsche Museum

 

 

Go-ahead for the extension of the new R & D Porsche site in Weissach

Weissach R&D – Picture of site – (l.-r.): Walter Uhl, Chairman of Works Council of Porsche Weissach, Thomas Fritsch, Mayor of Mönsheim, Ursula Kreutel, Mayor of Weissach, Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG, Wolfgang Hatz, Board member in charge of Research and Development of Porsche AG and Uwe Hück, Chairman of the Group Works Council of Porsche AG.

First cut of the spade in Weissach: start of extensive building work at the Development Centre

Stuttgart. With the symbolic first cut of the spade, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, today heralded the start of the extension of its Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg).

Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg)

The site is being enlarged through the addition of a highly modern design studio, a high-tech wind tunnel and an electronics integration centre. Porsche is investing around 150 million euro in this respect. Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management, welcomed Ursula Kreutel, Mayor of Weissach, Thomas Fritsch, Mayor of Mönsheim, Roland Bernhard, Chief Executive of the Böblingen District, and Karl Röckinger, Chief Executive of the Enz District, at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg)

“The extension of our Development Centre is a good, far-sighted investment in the future of Porsche”, said Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG. “The expansion being made by Porsche in Weissach also represents a clear commitment to Baden-Württemberg as an industrial location.

” Uwe Hück, Chairman of the Group Works Council, added: “These investments which we agreed in July 2010 to safeguard the site – ‘Independence through competitive advantage’ – will not only protect the jobs of our permanent staff, but will actually increase the number of permanent jobs. This will strengthen the independence of Porsche.”

Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg)

The new wind tunnel will also enable the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer to cope with technological challenges in vehicle development in future.

“Good aerodynamics make a major contribution towards low fuel consumption and high performance – both of which are important aspects in implementing Porsche Intelligent Performance”, said Wolfgang Hatz, Board member in charge of Research and Development of Porsche AG.

The new electronics integration centre will combine segments which were previously spread over several buildings.

“Our objective is also to continue developing electric and hybrid technology. We are creating the ideal conditions for attaining this objective with our new electronics integration centre”, added Hatz.

“Thanks to Porsche, we have the highest per capita trade tax revenue in the whole of Germany. The town will also profit from the extension of the Development Centre”, said Ursula Kreutel, Mayor of Weissach with confidence. Thomas Fritsch, Mayor of Mönsheim, agreed with his fellow Mayor: “Porsche is a great addition for the surrounding towns. We are therefore now all the more delighted with the extension of the Research Centre.”

Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg)

In addition to the extension of the site, Porsche is starting a wide-ranging human resources campaign. In the first six months of 2011, the company recruited well over 100 new engineers. Over 100 new employees will also be appointed by the end of 2011 in order to support the around 3,400 staff currently working in Weissach.

The new offices and the design studio will probably be ready for occupation in summer 2013. The wind tunnel will be completed in the first six months of 2014.

SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database

Public Relations and Media
Corporate Press
Dirk Erat

 

Disappointing race for Porsche – American Le Mans Series, rd 4 in Mosport/Canada

 

Stuttgart. The detour of the American Le Mans Series to Canada was not rewarded with success for the Porsche teams: After their second position in Lime Rock, the Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) went home empty-handed from round four of the season on the Mosport International Raceway close to Toronto.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers

The best-placed Porsche team was factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) and America’s Bryan Sellers who secured fifth place in the GT class with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Falken Tire squad.

Wolf Henzler (Germany)

Bryan Sellers (USA)

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long

With Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, four-time Mosport winner Joerg Bergmeister made a clean start and at times even took the lead. But during a pit stop after the halfway point in the 2:45-hour race, the #45 vehicle lost fluid from the power steering unit. Following the repairs, Patrick Long rejoined the race with a nine-lap gap to the GT front-runners to finally see the flag in twelfth place. This yielded zero points for the title defenders.

Patrick Long

Jörg Bergmeister

“Our car ran very well over the whole weekend,” said Joerg Bergmeister. “During my stint we were always in the top three and even had the lead. But when I tried to avoid a slower competitor, I spun, we lost the lead and then the power steering went. It was simply bad luck.” Patrick Long said: “After the pit stop we collected a lot of data but unfortunately no points.”

Jörg Bergmeister

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman

At his maiden race in Mosport, Porsche factory pilot Marco Holzer (Germany) took over the wheel of the second Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports from his American teammate Seth Neiman while in 14th and pushed through to finish eighth.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman

Marco Holzer

Seth Neiman

The GTC class victory went to Americans Spencer Pumpelly and Duncan Ende in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Round 5 of the American Le Mans Series takes place on 6 August in Lexington in the US state of Ohio.

Statistics: 4th race in Mosport, Canada

Result GT class
1. Magnussen/Gavin (DK/GB), Chevrolet Corvette, 121 laps
2. Melo/Vilander (BRA/SF), Ferrari F458 Italia, 121
3. Werner/Auberlen (D/USA), BMW M3 GT, 121
4. Müller/Hand (D/USA), BMW M3 GT, 121
5. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 120
6. Beretta/Milner (MC/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 119
8. Holzer/Neiman (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 118
10. Maassen/Miller (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 117
12. Bergmeister/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 113

Result GTC class
1. Pumpelly/Ende (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 112 laps
2. von Moltke/Pierce (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 112
3. Faulkner/Pappas (IRL/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 111

Points’ standings GT class
Drivers
1. Dirk Müller, Joey Hand, BMW, 80 points
2. Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, Chevrolet, 57
3. Dirk Werner, Bill Auberlen, BMW, 46
4. Jaime Melo, Toni Vilander, Ferrari, 41
5. Olivier Beretta, Tommy Milner, Chevrolet, 39
6. Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Porsche, 34

Manufacturers
1. BMW, 83 points
2. Chevrolet, 61
3. Ferrari, 52
4. Porsche, 50

Teams
1. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 83 points
2. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 61
3. Risi Competizione, 41
4. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 40

Facts and figures

The American Le Mans Series

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race.

GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup).
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and an 825 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

All race cars start together but are classified separately. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.

SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Public Relations and Media
Motor and Sports Press

 

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, rd 6 at the F1 race-Nürburgring/Germany-René Rast wins 200th Supercup race

René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

René Rast wins 200th Supercup race

Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

Stuttgart. The hero of the day in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup is René Rast.

René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by VELTINS Lechner Racing, the title defender from Frankfurt in Germany won the 200th race of the world’s fastest international one-make series on the Nuerburgring.

René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

René Rast (D)  – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

This marks his fourth win so far this season.

Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

In a gripping race under typical Eifel weather conditions, he relegated Poland’s Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team) to second place and further extended his championship lead.

Start zum 200. Rennen – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

The anniversary race of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, which has run as support to the Formula 1 worldwide since 1993, started with a worried glance at the low-hanging clouds.

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

When the rain stopped shortly before the start, the majority of drivers opted for slicks – with Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (Team Bleekemolen) in position 12 on the grid selecting rain tyres.

Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

On the partly wet track, the Dutchman fought his way through half the field in the first lap to promptly move into first place. But his blaze of glory was short-lived: The slowly drying circuit foiled any further plans.

Sharing this fate were Britain’s Nick Tandy and Frenchman Kévin Estre. The title aspirant from Konrad Motorsport and the Supercup newcomer driving for Hermes Attempto Racing had such a lively encounter in the second corner that they were thrown remorselessly to the back of the field and went home without any championship points.

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

This was particularly bitter for Nick Tandy, who as reigning vice-champion has yet to notch up a victory this season and for whom this setback is possibly decisive in his bid for the title.

René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

At the head of the pack René Rast and the first-time pole-sitter Kuba Giermaziak delivered a tough fight for victory right to the flag. Still, the Pole drove a cautious race to clinch his best Supercup result so far.

Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

Britain’s Sean Edwards, who eventually brought home third in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup run by Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, posed no threat from behind.

Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

Trailing the Barcelona winner, Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing) secured fourth, but not before fending off a strong attack from Stefan Rosina.

Stefan Rosina (SK) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

Driving for VERVA Racing, the Slovakian secured his best result to date with fifth ahead of Jeroen Bleekemolen (Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit), two-time Supercup champion from the Netherlands.

Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

Putting in their personal best Porsche Mobil1 Supercup performance to now at the anniversary race in the Eifel were William Langhorne and Mathias Lauda. The American, who races for SANITEC Aquiles MRS Racing, finished tenth with the Konrad Motorsport pilot from Austria and son of racing legend Niki Lauda in eleventh.

René Rast (winner):

“That was a perfect race. The conditions were unbelievably tough. First it was totally wet, then dry again. When you’re at the front it’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen. You never know what to expect in the next second. It’s a lot easier for the guys behind me. They can just wait to see what I do. Towards the end I slowed the pace a little to bring my victory home safely. With an eye on the championship, this was a great weekend for us.”

René Rast (D) –  Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

Kuba Giermaziak (second):

“Congratulations to René. He drove a strong race under the most difficult conditions. As the track dried up I was quicker, in fact I could have won today. At least we had the speed. But René is not one to make silly mistakes when he’s under pressure. And I wasn’t prepared to risk anything. So now we just have to keep waiting for our first win, but I’m quite sure it’ll happen this season.”

 

Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

Sean Edwards (third):

“A great race. I started from seventh on the grid and finished in third – that’s not bad under such tough conditions. In the dry we simply didn’t have the speed to attack.”

Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

Race result
1. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 30:00.552 minutes
2. Kuba Giermaziak (PL) VERVA Racing Team, + 1.001 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 5.288
4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 8.042
5. Stefan Rosina (SK), VERVA Racing Team, + 8.628
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 9.964

Drivers’ standings after 6 of 9 races*
1. René Rast (D), 105 points
2. Sean Edwards (GB), 90
3. Norbert Siedler A), 83
4. Nick Tandy (GB), 72
5. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 70
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 68

* It has yet to be decided if and when there will be a replacement for the cancelled Formula 1 race in Bahrain with two rounds of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.

Round 7 of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup takes place on 31 July as support to the Formula 1 race in Budapest/Hungary.

SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Public Relations and Media
Motor and Sports Press

 

Porsche 928 May Come Back As Porsche 929

Most of us remember the Porsche 928, one of only four front-engined coupes and Zuffenhausen’s first ever mass-produced V8 car.

Porsche 928 Period Photos – 1992 Advertising Poster

It was left in the pages of history just before the death of the 968, the last of the front-engined Porsches for the 1990s. Now, it’s pegged for revival and scheduled for a 2014/2015 release.

Rumored to be badged the 929, sources high within Porsche have said that this new model will give Porsche a chance to participate in an influx of sales involving cars such as the Aston Martin DB9, Bentley Continental GT, and the Ferrari California.

Porsche Consulting screenshot, Porsche Panamera coupe 928 design sketch

As part of the circulating idea, the 929 will possibly be made in two variants: coupe and soft-top convertible. If Porsche were to produce the 929, it would be based on the preexisting Panamera platform. However, whether that would be a feasible option is up for question.

Porsche-929-A-new-two-door-front-engined-Porsche-coupé

“At the moment, derivatives of the Panamera are not planned for the first generation,” said the inside source. “We hope to add them to the second generation, provided we can find necessary capacity.”

Porsche earlier announced that it will be investing some big bucks to increase production in its Leizpig plant, where the controversial Cayenne SUV is made. This implies that Porsche may very well have the ability to produce the 929 and opens up opportunity for the Panamera to be produced in Leizpig due to the plant’s expansion. That said, the new Volkswagen Tiguan-based Cajun compact-SUV can be made along side the Tiguan at VW’s Hannover plant, which ultimately can lead to the Panamera platform’s expansion and in turn, the 929.

“We have ideas to extend the Panamera line-up, including other body derivatives — a shooting brake, for example,” the source finished.

– By: PhilcUK –  according to Autocar, who broke the story.

Source: AutoCar

 

Porsche Zuffenhausen plant meets latest energy management standard

Porsche Zuffenhausen plant is first German car manufacturing plant to be audited in accordance with globally applicable ISO 50001 standard

Porsche production meets latest energy management standard

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG’s main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen is the first plant in the German automotive industry to have successfully passed an audit in accordance with the new, globally applicable energy management standard ISO 50001. Porsche’s central parts warehouse in Sachsenheim near Stuttgart also successfully passed this audit, carried out by TÜV SÜD.

The new 50001 norm from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) governs the requirements on an energy management system enabling companies systematically and continuously to improve energy-related performance and increase energy efficiency. The energy management system was integrated with the existing environmental management regime at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen and Sachsenheim sites, an important partial aspect of which is the “Porsche Resources and Energy Management”.

Porsche’s goal is to be able to improve even further on recording and evaluating energy consumption and highlight potential improvements, thus enhancing the sites’ energy efficiency. Wolfgang Leimgruber, Board of Management Member for Production and Logistics, said:

“We are delighted about the successful audit because it shows that we are on the right track to a production which is energy-efficient and saves resources. Highest levels of environmental compatibility and sustainability are enshrined in our environmental policies. We will, therefore, continue to work on improving our energy balance.“

Porsche’s Zuffenhausen and Sachsenheim sites have managed to improve their energy efficiency in recent years. The energy management centre has been completely overhauled and equipped with the latest technical facilities, and during construction of the cogeneration plants – one at the Zuffenhausen site and one at the Sachsenheim site – system engineering and equipment with very high efficiency was used.

In addition, the central parts warehouse roof at Sachsenheim is used to generate solar power: 8,500 photovoltaic panels generate approximately two million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. And in Zuffenhausen the new paint shop is on the verge of going into production. It employs the latest plant technology – especially for protecting the environment.

This is the first time that innovative technologies have been used by a car manufacturer: lower emissions allied with reduced energy and resource consumption accompanied by higher quality.

Source: Public Relations and Media
Corporate Press
Dirk Erat
Phone: +49 (0) 711 / 911 27941
E-Mail: Dirk.Erat@porsche.de

 

24-Hour Race Nürburgring – Interim report after 6:30 hours – problems for the 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Porsche is second best – problems for the 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, Porsche Team Manthey: Jörg Bergmeister, Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer, Patrick Long

Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR by Manthey Racing runs in the 24-hour Nürburgring race continues at the forefront.

After six hours between the Porsche works driver Marc Lieb (Germany), Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) together with Lucas Luhr (Switzerland) in second place. Previously they had to not quite five hours to the forefront of the field and up to their pit stop four laps claimed the lead.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid rendered the endurance classic in the Eifel also been leadership. After just over four hours of the Porsche Manthey used innovative racing car was the Porsche factory drivers Jörg Bergmeister (Langenfeld), Richard Lietz (Austria), Marco Holzer (Lochau) and Patrick Long (USA) two laps ahead, before the give guidance for a scheduled pit stops needed.

After presumably at a contact with a competitor, a flange of the differential was broken, had the 911 GT3 R Hybrid to the pits for repairs and lost by six laps on the top.

At the Porsche 911 GT3 R, the shares Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Peter Dumbreck (UK), Martin Ragginger (Austria) and Sebastian Asch (Germany), the engine was replaced. Parallel to the Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 911 GT3 R was used for a smooth start-up phase after two hours taken out of the race as scheduled, so the team can concentrate on one car.

Voices of the driver

Martin Ragginger (No. 44 Porsche 911 GT3 R, Falken Motorsports):

“We were really good at racing and have in the initial phase is not too much risk. Too bad that we have now lost so much time. But we go further and see how far we can still come forward. “

Timo Bernhard (No. 18 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey Racing):

“My stint was no problem. It was mainly in the central part of the route many places where yellow flags were waved and I had to drive slowly in order to not risk a fine sport. “

Lucas Luhr (# 18, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey Racing):

“At the pit stop the fuel pump did not work the Nurburgring. There simply was no gasoline. So we had to push the car to another column and have thus lost almost a minute. “

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

SOURCE: Porsche Media database
Public Relations and Media
Motor and Health Care

 

PORSCHE NEWS: Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister visits Porsche AG

Baden-Württemberg’s new prime minister in consultation with Stuttgart sports car manufacturer

Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister & Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG Photo: Porsche AG Database

Stuttgart. Baden-Württemberg’s new prime minister Winfried Kretschmann is visiting at the invitation of Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG, the parent company of the sports car manufacturer in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

During an extensive tour of the production of the Porsche 911 and Boxster / Cayman, the Prime Minister also spoke with staff and trainees of the company.

Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister & Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG Photo: Porsche AG Database

“This first exchange is a good start for an intense and above all constructive dialogue with the Prime Minister and his government,” said chief executive Mueller said: “I am confident that with the necessary understanding for each other together to further strengthen the automotive state of Baden- Württemberg and help expand its international significance.”

Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister & Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG Photo: Porsche AG Database

Kretschmann Prime Minister said: “The visit to the Porsche AG was in a very harmonious atmosphere and gave me a deep insight into the company granted. Porsche is certainly one of the great success stories of our country.”

He was able to obtain get an idea of ​​the performance and the quality awareness of the company, said Kretschmann. With the Boxster with electric drive, which is now being implemented as a prototype, and with the first hybrid models Porsche show that even in the luxury segment more fuel efficient options are possible.

Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister & Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG Photo: Porsche AG Database

“Porsche is right to build in the premium segment cars that use less fuel, thereby harming the environment less. I am firmly convinced that the company Porsche is overcome with his broad technical expertise, its highly qualified staff and its ability to innovate the new challenges,”said the Prime Minister.

Source: Porsche AG Database

Public Relations and Media
Corporate Press
Dirk Erat

 

PORSCHE ANNOUNCES: “Rennsport Reunion IV” along with “Porsche Race Car Classic” concours to be held Oct. 14-16th, 2011

Legendary automotive artist Dennis Simon has once again been chosen to create the event posters for Porsche’s Rennsport Reunion, a not-quite-annual gathering of historic Porsche racecars.Simon has created the posters for two of the previous three Rennsport Reunions. His 2004 poster featured three 908s crossing the finish line at the 1970 Daytona endurance race, and the 2007 version included a 917 in Gulf livery and a 962 in Lowenbrau colors.

For Porsche-philes, these posters have become instant collectibles.
The 2011 Rennsport Reunion IV will be held at

Laguna Seca from October 14-16.

it’s official…..Here’s the press release:

Quote: PORSCHE ANNOUNCES RENNSPORT REUNION IV TO BE HELD IN OCTOBER ~ World’s Largest Gathering of Porsche Race Cars and Drivers Seeks New Frontiers, Moves West

ATLANTA, GA – March 8, 2011 — Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca today announced Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV will take place at the famed California racetrack the weekend of October 14 – 16, 2011.Sponsored by PCNA, Rennsport Reunion IV brings together an unprecedented gathering of significant Porsche vintage and current race cars, as well those who have driven them to victory in the world’s most famous sports car races. The three-day program of on-track competition is complemented by a concours d’elegance, which is open to invited race participants, and special activities celebrating the decade-long, illustrious history of the legendary 911 race cars.

This is from the archives and from the 2007 Rennsport Reunion III. A bunch of 917s, 908s, 906s, etc

After the highly successful staging of three venues in the East, held every three years, with the first one held in Lime Rock in 2001, Rennsport Reunion IV will now be moving west, tapping a vast array of car aficionados and Porsche enthusiasts.

Porsche 917 and 956/962 racecars during Rennsport III, held at Daytona International Speedway in 2007. The 917 debuted in the late 1960s and the 956 in the early 1980s with the 962 shortly thereafter. It was the largest gathering of the legendary machines with Coupes, Spyders and Longtails both racing and on display.

(Photo Source by PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA )

“While the Rennsport name has become a staple fixture for international collectors and racers over the past ten years, choosing the Monterey Peninsula will open up this one-of-a-kind gathering to the many Porsche fans in California and beyond who were previously unable to attend,” said Detlev von Platen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche Cars North America. “Now they’ll have the opportunity to see, feel and hear from up close hundreds of famous Porsche race cars and dozens of their drivers from past and present during a truly memorable weekend dedicated to Porsche’s motorsport heritage.”

Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV will assemble the wide variety of Porsche’s most historic racing models from the nimble 550 Spyder of the mid-Fifties through the mighty 917 and 956/962 of the Seventies and Eighties to the highly successful RS Spyder of the last decade. Special tribute will be paid to the numerous racing versions of the Porsche 911 and their countless victories on the dawn of what will become another milestone of this iconic sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

911 CARRERA Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbos lined up during Rennsport III, held at Daytona International Speedway in 2007. The 911 RSR was the first turbocharged 911 racecars, starting in 1974. Rennsport Reunions are an extraordinary gathering of significant Porsche vintage racecars and those who have driven them to victory in the world’s most famous sports car races.

(Photo Source by PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA )

“This will truly be a rare gathering of significant Porsche race cars on the West Coast,” commented Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Porsche has a long racing tradition in Monterey and we look forward to celebrating its heritage in a befitting manner for everyone to enjoy.”

Laguna Seca tickets for Rennsport… look here!
Additional details of the Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV will be published on Porsche’s press web site (press.porsche.com), and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s web site (www.mazdaraceway.com), as they become available.

(Rennsport IV Release.pdf…More !!.)

Ticket information is available by contacting 800-327-7322 or online at www.mazdaraceway.com.

For more information on the Porsche Race Car Classic or to purchase tickets visit www.porscheracecarclassic.com.

Porsche and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca are working in association with the Porsche Race Car Classic to combine efforts to raise awareness for the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and the UCSF Thoracic Oncology Program.

Complementing the Rennsport Reunion IV venue is the Porsche Race Car Classic, an exclusive concours held at nearby Quail Lodge in Carmel on Sunday, October 16. Steve Heinrichs, producer of the Porsche Race Car Classic, explained, “this once-in-a-lifetime gathering of vintage Porsche race cars solely from Porsche’s break-out era of 1950-1965 will raise critical funding to directly support lung cancer research. We’ll have Gmünds, Glöcklers, 550s, 718s, 804s, 904s, 356s, Abarths and more – in numbers and provenance never before seen.”

(Photo Source by PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA )

A feature on the 2007 Porsche Rennsport Reunion III held at Daytona International Speedway.
Courtesy of Porsche Cars North America / GrandTouringPrototype.com

Pelican Parts is to be a sponsor of Rennsport Reunion IV at Laguna Seca!

Link to 3000+ photos from Rennsport Reunion 3: Pelican Parts Photos – Porsche Rennsport Reunion III at Daytona Speedway – November 2007 – Rennsport 3

Link to 3000+ photos from Rennsport Reunion 2: Pelican Parts Photos – Rennsport Reunion – Daytona 2004

[Source: PCNA, Pelican Part, 6Speed, Early 911S Registry]

Come October the world’s finest examples of 1950-1965 Porsche race cars will roll onto the Monterey Peninsula. Cars from the Porsche AG Museum, Ingram Collection, Ranson Webster Collection, Dr. Julio Palmaz Collection, and Seinfeld Collection will all be represented on the grassy fields at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California on October 16, 2011 for the Porsche Race Car Classic.

[Source: Porsche Race Car Classic]