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It takes fans on an interactive journey through 60 years of Porsche Motorsport history showcasing previously unreleased films, photo galleries and stories. Phase one of the three-stage Web Special highlights the legendary venues of Porsche’s racing history and brings the greatest moments of motorsport back to life.
Each week, new content is added, outlining why Porsche and motorsport are inseparably connected. In addition to historical film documentaries, interviews with drivers, engineers and former race directors allow a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.
Matthias Müller, President and CEO of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, paid tribute to the “invaluable contribution” Mr. Porsche has made for the sports car maker:
“The fact that a member of the founder family is actively representing our company internationally is essential for many Porsche fans in their extraordinary identification with the brand and its products.
As the son of Professor Ferry Porsche, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche supports our company with the greatest personal commitment. He has shaped the development of the Porsche AG over the past 35 years as a Member of the Supervisory Board and since 2007 as Chairman of the Supervisory Board.”
Wolfgang Porsche was born in Stuttgart on May 10, 1943, the youngest son of Dorothea and Ferry Porsche, the founder of the Porsche sports car brand. His grandfather was the brilliant automotive design engineer who shaped the history of the car with his Stuttgart automotive design engineering office.
Chairman of the Porsche Supervisory Board keeps company tradition alive
Wolfgang Porsche spent the first six and a half years of his life at the so-called “Schüttgut” in Zell am See, Austria, the estate of his grandfather Ferdinand Porsche. The family, and the company, returned to Stuttgart in 1950. Wolfgang obtained his Abitur (higher school-leaving certificate) in 1965. He also passed his journeyman’s examination as a metalworker. Afterwards, Porsche obtained his degree in Business Administration from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. He received his doctorate in International Business in 1973.
At first, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche went into business as an independent entrepreneur: As Managing Director of JAMOTO, he became general importer of Yamaha motorbikes in Austria. He returned to Germany in 1976 and worked at the Daimler-Benz AG in Stuttgart as manager in various areas of domestic and foreign sales. In 1978, he was appointed a member of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG, taking over the position of Chairman in 2007. He was also appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche Automobil Holding SE at its incorporation in June 2007.
In addition, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche has been a member of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, since April 24, 2008.
Upon the death of his father Ferry in 1998, he was selected spokesman by the Porsche family. The father of four lives alternatively in Salzburg and the “Schüttgut” in Zell am See, which he acquired from the family estate.
There, in Salzburger Land, he operates an Alpine organic farm with around 200 dairy cows. An ardent hunter, he has always felt close to nature. His enthusiasm for sports cars has been the focus of his life from his very early youth on. Over the course of decades, a private collection of vintage cars has evolved that contains numerous very rare Porsche vehicles, which he drives regularly.
Dr. Wolfgang Porsche has received numerous honours for his services to business. In 2005, he was awarded the “Great Golden Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria” by the Chancellor of Austria, the highest award granted by his homeland.
For his services to the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, he received the Gold “Staufermedaille” Award. At the onset of 2012, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche was appointed Honorary Senator of Salzburg University and was admitted to the University’s Council in 2013.
Résumé Dr. Wolfgang Porsche
Dr. Wolfgang Porsche
May10,1943
Born in Stuttgart
1965
Abitur
1965 – 1971
Academic studies at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration
Graduation in Business Administration
1973
Doctorate in International Business at Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration
1976 – 1981
Active in various sales areas at home and abroad for Daimler-Benz AG, Stuttgart-Untertürkheim
Since 1978
Member of the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, Member of the Supervisory Board or Administrative Board in various Porsche sales companies
1983
Member of the Supervisory Board of the Austrian Porsche Group, Salzburg
1988 -2011
Managing Director in Porsche Holding Ges.m.b.H., Salzburg
Since 2007
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Stuttgart
Tennis idol to become brand ambassador of the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer
**Maria Sharapova to represent Porsche**
Stuttgart. Tennis megastar Maria Sharapova has taken on a new role: Effective immediately, the 26-year-old world class player will be representing the sports car manufacturer, Porsche AG, as brand ambassador.
Maria Sharapova…
The cooperation is initially signed for three years and involves a global communications campaign. The athlete is already very familiar with the vehicles from Zuffenhausen: As last year´s winner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Sharapova not only took home prize money, but also a white 911 Carrera S Cabriolet.
Maria Sharapova to represent Porsche
Born in Russia and living in the United States, Sharapova has achieved victories at all four Grand Slam tournaments in women’s tennis and she was ranked number 1 for a total of 21 weeks.
“Maria Sharapova is an exceptional athlete. She combines top performance in her sports with elegance and power. These are precisely the qualities that are embroiled in our sports cars”, as Matthias Mueller, CEO of Porsche AG, explained in today’s introduction of the partnership. According to Mueller it was not easy to find the right person to be Porsche´s ambassador.
Matthias Müller President and CEO, Porsche AG, Maria Sharapova
“Maria Sharapova is the perfect choice. Her profile and charisma are an ideal fit for Porsche. She is also highly respected around the world and enjoys an outstanding reputation.”
Maria Sharapova did not really have to think twice: “This is a really special day for me. I have had the privilege to be associated with some of the best brands in the world, but now to be partners with Porsche, is such an amazing honor”, she explained during her presentation in Stuttgart.
Maria Sharapova to represent Porsche
For Porsche, the choice of Maria Sharapova as brand ambassador extends its long-term commitment to women´s tennis. The company sponsors the German women’s national team, which competes as the Porsche Team Germany in the Fed Cup, and the Porsche Talent Team Germany, which supports promising young players.
Maria Sharapova to represent Porsche
“We are fully committed to these activities for a long term. And with Maria Sharapova, we are now extending our involvement in women’s tennis globally”, Mueller added.
Maria Sharapova was born in the Western Siberian town of Nyagan on 18 April, 1987. She moved to Bradenton on the Gulf Coast of Florida (USA), when she was seven years old. Two years later she was accepted at the world-renowned Tennis Academy of coach Nick Bollettieri. In 2004, at the age of 17, she won her first Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon, the third-youngest player ever.
Maria Sharapova to represent Porsche
This feat was followed by titles in the other three Grand Slam tournaments: U.S. Open 2006, Australian Open 2008, and French Open 2012. To date, Maria Sharapova has won a total of 28 singles titles, including last year´s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the WTA Championships in 2004, and the silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Along with her involvement in the “Maria Sharapova Foundation”, she is also active as ambassador of the United Nations Development Program.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media – Corporate Communication
Stuttgart. Latest photos from free practice on the Silverstone Circuit, on which the first round of the World Endurance Championship WEC is contested on Sunday.
Visitors to the special exhibition will learn more about the construction techniques employed for the museum from a selection of material samples.
Stuttgart. Ever since it first opened in 2009, the Porsche Museum has fascinated visitors with its combination of unique vehicles and stunning architecture.
From now until 26 May 2013, a special exhibition staged by the sports automobile manufacturer will show the making of what is probably the most spectacular architectural project in the history of the company. For the first time, diverse exhibits and technical drawings will explain how the museum came into being and present the structural challenges involved in its creation.
Diverse exhibits and technical drawings will explain the structural challenges involved in its creation.
“Built in Zuffenhausen” will be centred around the design by Delugan Meissl Associated Architects of Vienna, winner of the architects’ competition in 2005. Visitors to the special exhibition will also learn more about the construction techniques employed for the museum from a selection of material samples. Plans and models submitted by the architectural practices which participated in the competition can likewise be admired – some of them never before seen in public.
The simple facts and figures about the museum building are equally impressive. More tons of steel were used to build the Porsche Museum, for instance, than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The monolithic body, weighing 35.000 tons, rises 45 metres above Porsche Square and is supported on a highly complex steel skeleton.
Resting on just three V-shaped columns, the museum’s dominant main structure appears to hover in mid-air. Its central location on Porsche Square reflects the close ties with the sports automobile manufacturer and its Zuffenhausen headquarters. Today, the Porsche Museum is a centre of knowledge about the history of the sports car brand and Porsche Square would be unthinkable without it.
Visitors can take advantage of an extended themed tour covering both the museum itself and the special exhibition.
“Built in Zuffenhausen” is being used as an opportunity to supplement the one-hour architectural tour with a visit to the special exhibition. At 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays, visitors can take advantage of an extended themed tour covering both the museum itself and the special exhibition at a price of four euros per person (on top of the normal cost).
New special exhibition until 26 May 2013: Built in Zuffenhausen – Construction and architecture of the Porsche Museum
The Porsche Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays to Sundays. The admission price is 8 euros for adults or 4 euros for children and concessions. Children up to the age of 14 are entitled to free admission when accompanied by an adult. More information can be found on the Internet at http://www.porsche.com/museum.
Stuttgart. Never before has Porsche supported so many young drivers at one time. Four Porsche Juniors will tackle Porsche’s brand trophy series in 2013.
Now that they have chosen the teams with which they will compete, the four talented young racers enter the critical phase of preparation for the 2013 season.
Michael Christensen (22) from Denmark drives for the new French Supercup team DAMS, last year’s champions of the GP2 Series.
Michael Christensen, Porsche Junior
In the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland which kicks off in Hockenheim on 4 May, Spaniard Alex Riberas Bou (19) competes for Attempto Racing,
Alex Riberas Bou (ESP), Porsche Junior
with American Connor de Phillippi (20) driving for FÖRCH Racing by Lukas Motorsport.
Connor de Phillippi (USA), Porsche Junior
For Klaus Bachler and Michael Christensen, 2013 marks their second year as Porsche Juniors. Last year the pair contested the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and promptly demonstrated their ability: Michael Christensen celebrated his first victory at the season final in Hockenheim, whilst Klaus Bachler scored a podium spot at his home race on the Red Bull Ring. In the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup run as support for the Formula 1 races they are now eager to forge ahead with their successes.
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport
Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen is convinced that they will succeed in this with the new 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup that was developed parallel to the recently presented 911 GT3 at the Geneva Motor Show. “They have huge potential and are following the path that we had in mind for our junior support programme.”
As a thank you for their strong performance in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, the juniors are not only promoted to the top series of Porsche’s brand championships. With support from Porsche, they also contested the famed 24 Hours at Daytona/Florida in January which proved to be not just a fantastic new experience for the pair but also gave them an added motivation.
“This is a big vote of confidence from Porsche. I will again work hard to live up to these expectations,” says Michael Christensen. And for Klaus Bachler, “it’s a dream come true. I’ve learned a great deal in the Carrera Cup and I’m now looking forward to using what I have learned in the Supercup.”
The duo joined the Porsche works drivers at a training camp in Tenerife to build up the fitness levels required for the demands of a long racing season.
Alex Riberas Bou and Connor de Phillippi tackle their first season as Porsche Juniors. In a tough, two-tiered selection process where factors like fitness, mental strength and technical understanding as well working with engineers, and simulated qualifying laps were taken into account, in Potsdam and Vallelunga the two outshone other talented youngsters from all over the world.
“I’m very proud to be chosen by Porsche, especially when I see how the careers of many successful Porsche works drivers began as junior drivers,” says Alex Riberas Bou.
Connor de Phillippi, who like Alex Riberas Bou has driven single-seaters until now, is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of last year’s spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
“It’ll undoubtedly be a huge challenge.”
Porsche takes on a large proportion of the four juniors’ budget for the season and also assigns them Sascha Maassen as a junior coach. The successful professional racer from Germany won the American Le Mans Series three times with sports prototypes and GT race cars and celebrated class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Sebring 12 hour race. Moreover, he has a great deal of experience as a talent scout, coach and driving instructor.
Stuttgart. The new Porsche 911 GT3 R based on the 997 model generation heads into the 2013 motorsport season with extensive modifications. With its widened fender flares front and rear, the successful customer sport racer, fielded in the GT3 classes, looks considerably brawnier than its predecessor.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
The new aerodynamics generates substantially more downforce, allowing for higher cornering speeds and later braking points. The wider track and the adapted wheels provide additional improvement in traction.
Ever since its launch in 2010, customer teams around the world have gone from success to success with the 911 GT3 R. In 2012 alone, Porsche customer teams raced the 500 hp production-based Grand Touringrace car in 131 races, won 41 of them and clinched numerous championships.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
For 2013, Porsche Motorsport significantly modified the aerodynamics. The front bumper panels, all fenders, the sill covers, the rear panel and underbody with rear diffuser received further fine-tuning in the wind tunnel.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
The rear wing was enlarged to the width of the vehicle and repositioned to work optimally with the redesigned body.
The suspension also underwent modifications. The track of both the front and rear axle grew by 50 millimetres. The width of the front rims is now twelve instead of 10.9 inches. The wheelbase of the latest 911 GT3 R grew by ten millimetres.
Like its predecessor, the highly efficient four-litre, six-cylinder flat engine has an out-put of 368 kW (500 hp). The Porsche six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox with pneumatic shift system is operated via shift paddles on the steering wheel. This technical solution allows very fast and smooth gear changes – an advantage when it comes to high operational safety and a long service life.
An array of electronic driver assistance systems adopted from the predecessor helps turn fast and safe laps.
The E-gas features a throttle-blip function. The gearbox elec-tronics make skipping gears and the resulting over revving of the engine virtually impossible. Thanks to a specially-adjusted traction control and a race ABS, the 911 GT3 R can be very well controlled under braking and acceleration.
With a conversion kit offered by Porsche, customer teams can convert older model years of the 911 GT3 R to the 2013-spec.
The kit is available from Porsche Motor-sport at the price of 45,500 Euros plus country-specific value added tax.
DREAMING? Fond of PORSCHES?
What if YOU could be ALL alone 1 NIGHT @ the PORSCHE MUSEUM? What would YOU want to SEE? …or sit in?
Two high-tech kids sneak inside the Porsche-Museum, …anything is possible.
Stuttgart. Porsche AG has not only begun the year particularly successful, but 2013 also marks the anniversary of the company’s most iconic car: the Porsche 911 has for the last 50 years been equally at home on the racetrack as on the road. Its genetic DNA can be found in every other Porsche model.
At over 820,000 units built, the 911 is the world’s most successful sports car ever.
In addition to the anniversary, the International Motor Show in Geneva also provides a stage for two particularly sporty premieres on the Porsche stand in hall 1. The press conference on the stand takes place on March 5 at 10.45 CET.
The title ‘World Premiere’ truly applies here to the first appearance of an extremely exciting 911 model, which awaits with new engineering highlights, plus a whole lot more. The car’s driving dynamics and driving excitement are at an even higher level than before.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
For the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup this will be its first public unveiling. Delivering 460 hp, this single-make cup racer is the latest version of the car, which is, with a total of 2,400 units, the best-selling and most successful sports car in the world.
The new 911 GT3 Cup is initially being deployed in the international Porsche Supercup 2013.
As a pilot of historic racecars, Hans Herrmann still takes part in many vintage car events for the Porsche Museum.
Stuttgart. Hans Herrmann, one of the most successful and best known works racing drivers at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, will celebrate his 85th birthday on 23 February 2013. Born in Stuttgart in 1928, this long-distance specialist was considered one of the most successful and dependable racing drivers of his era.
His motorsports career lasted from 1952 to 1970, during which Hans Herrmann won over 80 overall and class victories.
Hans Herrmann 1961 test driving the Porsche 787 in Hockenheim.
Hans Herrmann started his racing career in early 1952, piloting a privately-owned Porsche 356 1500 in mountain races, rallies, and endurance races. A year later he and Richard von Frankenberg took overall fifth place in the Lyon-Charbonnieres rally.
Porsche works driver Hans Herrmann turns 85.
Porsche racing chief Huschke von Hanstein thereupon hired him for the Porsche Works team. Herrmann drove the 550 Spyder at the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans, and together with Helmut Glöckler came in first in the 1.5 litre displacement category right off the bat.
Sebring 1956: Hans Herrmann with Porsche Typ 550 Spyder.
In 1953, at the age of 26 Herrmann won the title of German Sportscar Champion and got the attention of legendary Mercedes-Benz racing chief Alfred Neubauer, who hired him for his works team. Hans Herrmann piloted the Mercedes W 196 Silver Arrow in the premier category of motorsports, teaming with top drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling. Parallel to that, in 1954 he continued to drive for Porsche in the smaller displacement categories. In the 550 Spyder he won widely noted class victories in the Mille Miglia and Carrera Panamericana.
1.000 km Nürburgring, Porsche 718 RSK: Porsche employee Huschke von Hanstein in conversation with Hans Herrmann, 1959.
When Daimler-Benz pulled out of racing in 1955, Herrmann went on to drive Formula 1 races for Maserati and BRM, as well as other races as a Borgward works driver. In 1957 he became European Vice “Bergmeister” – Mountan Champion – before returning to the Porsche works team in 1959. Together with Joakim Bonnier, in 1960 Herrmann took the overall victory at the Targa Florio in a Porsche 718 RS60 Spyder, and the Formula 2 championship in a Porsche 718/2. He also won the 12 Hours of Sebring with Olivier Gendebien. In 1963 he left Porsche KG and joined Carlo Abarth’s racing team.
Hans Herrmann 1970 at 1.000 km Nürburgring with Porsche 908/03 Spyder.
In 1966 Herrmann returned to the Porsche works team, not only driving in all the major long-distance races and European Mountain Championship races, but also doing countless test drives in Weissach. With pilots Hans Herrmann, Jo Siffert, Vic Elford and Rolf Stommelen, in 1969 the team took the World Sports Prototype Championship for the first time. In 1970, at his eleventh Le Mans race Herrmann capped off his career with a bang, winning the first overall victory for Zuffenhausen in a Porsche 917 KH.
He took this motorsports achievement as a suitable time to retire from active racing, after 42 years on the track. Since then Hans Herrmann has lived with his wife Magdalena near Stuttgart, successfully operating his company “Hans Herrmann Autotechnik.” As a pilot of historic racecars, he also takes part in many vintage car events for the Porsche Museum.
Major Porsche racing victories by Hans Herrmann
1952 ADAC-Deutschlandfahrt 356 1st place (class)
1953 24 Hours of Le Mans 550 Spyder 1st place (class)
1953 Grand Prix Germany, Nürburgring 550 Spyder 1st place (class)
1954 Mille Miglia 550 Spyder 1st place (class)
1954 Carrera Panamericana 550 Spyder 1st place (class)
1956 12 Hours of Sebring 550 A Spyder 1st place (class)
1956 Grand Prix Germany, Nürburgring 550 Spyder 1st place (class)
1960 Targa Florio 718 RS 60 1st place (overall)
1960 12 Hours of Sebring 718 RS 60 1st place (overall)
1966 Grand Prix Zeltweg 906 Carrera 6 1st place (overall)
1967 1000 km of Spa 910 2nd place (overall)
1968 24 Hours of Daytona 907 1st place (overall)
1968 1000 km of Nürburgring 907 2nd place (overall)
1968 12 Hours of Sebring 907 1st place (overall)
1968 1000 km of Paris 908 1st place (overall)
1969 1000 km of Nürburgring 908 2nd place (overall)
1969 24 Hours of Le Mans 908 2nd place (overall)
1969 1000 km of Monza 908 2nd place (overall)
1970 1000 km of Nürburgring 917 2nd place (overall)
1970 24 Hours of Le Mans 917 1st place (overall)
Just an ordinary picture to tickle our cheekbones……
Note..auto journalist Georg Kacher in the light blue
Amazing image of the assembly workshop of Porsche 918 Spyder prototypes. It shows nine.
For those who follow 918 Spyder, each news is very good. An image of the assembly workshop prototype 918 Spyder . Obviously, they are not all there, but still counted nine 918 prototypes. Some are equipped with supplied “Martini“, others recover 917 sets of prototypes involved in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the past.
The place where all the 918 prototypes are…..
Power up: the Porsche 918 Spyder
The future is an exciting place, and here’s one of the people bringing it closer. Meet Dr Frank Walliser, who takes us behind the development of one of Porsche’s most thrilling leaps in innovation, the Porsche 918 Spyder.
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The final series of the 918 Spyder will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013 when the first deliveries are scheduled for the end of next year.
Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is the most successful race car in the world. Since 1998, 2,395 units of the near standard vehicle for customer sport were produced.
The new edition of the 911 GT3 Cup is the motorsports version of the future 911 GT3 and as such is the first race car that is based on the seventh generation of the sports car icon from Zuffenhausen.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The 911 GT3 Cup will be run exclusively in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2013.
The car for one-make racing made its debut on the occasion of the end of motorsport season “Night of Champions” celebration at the R&D Centre in Weissach.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder flat engine. It generates 460 hp (338 kW) at 7,500 revs, surpassing the predecessor by 10 hp.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
A six-speed dog-type gearbox developed by Porsche Motorsport which is operated via shift paddles at the steering wheel for the first time in a Porsche brand trophy race car transmits the power to the rear axle.
The single piece race wheels with centre mount were also newly designed by Porsche Motorsport.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The width of the Michelin race slicks was increased by two centimetres to 27 centimetres at the front and by ten millimetres at the rear axle to now measure 31 centimetres.
A newly developed race braking system further improves the excellent endurance qualities compared to its successful predecessor. The 380 millimetre slotted and inner-vented steel brake rotors at the front axle are decelerated by six-piston aluminium fixed callipers. The rear axle features a four-piston version.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
During the development of the new car a particular emphasis was put on the driver safety. A newly designed safety cage protects the pilot in case of a roll or a collision as does a newly developed race seat which is distinctively shaped around the head and shoulders and can be adjusted individually with the help of padding. A rescue hatch in the roof provides easy access for primary medical attention and for the extrication of the driver.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
“The new 911 GT3 Cup is much easier to drive at the limit,” says Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard, who was significantly involved in the development of the new vehicle.
“The car is excellently balanced. The new axle geometry is enormously positive for the handling. Apart from that the new Cup 911 is great fun to drive.”
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Like its predecessor the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is produced in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen on the same assembly line as the road legal models.
At the Motorsport Centre in Weissach it receives a general set-up for the circuit and is tested by a professional race driver before delivery to the customers. The basic price for the vehicle, which is available exclusively in white, is 181,200 Euro plus the country-specific value added tax.
Porsche Design unveils the luxury brand’s first women’s handbag
One Design, Different Style: the TwinBag
Stuttgart. Porsche Design is set to launch the TwinBag, its first women’s handbag, for the Spring/Summer 2013 season. Distinguished by a very innovative carrying concept, the new handbag will be available in all Porsche Design stores around the world and in the luxury brand’s official online store from March 2013. The launch of the TwinBag rounds off Porsche Design’s fashion and lifestyle range for women.
Sketch Porsche Design TwinBag
Porsche Design is revolutionising women’s handbags with a puristic new design and a novel carrying concept. The TwinBag combines simple elegance with timeless beauty. The main highlight is the clever carrying concept: adjustable handles allow the Porsche Design TwinBag to be worn as either a handbag or a shoulder bag.
Porsche Design meets Made in Italy
Each TwinBag is produced in the Italian city of Florence, by dedicated and experienced hands and benefiting from knowledge passed down through generations. The selection of materials is also typical of Porsche Design. The luxury brand’s handbags are made exclusively from the finest vegetable-tanned leather and enhanced with timeless high-quality metal fittings.
Porsche Design TwinBag
The Porsche Design TwinBag will be available all over the world from March 2013 in all Porsche Design stores and in the luxury brand’s official online store.
Sketch Porsche Design TwinBag
Porsche Design is a luxury brand with a particular focus on technically inspired products. The brand was founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, whose products have stood for functional, timeless and purist design ever since. The products are designed in the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See, Austria and sold around the world in the company’s own stores, shop-in-shops, high end department stores, exclusive specialist retailers as well as the official online shop (www.porsche-design.com/shop).
Le Mans 1987: Roland Kussmaul, 961-race driver Kees Nierop and Peter Falk (from left to right)
Stuttgart. Former Porsche engineer and race manager Peter Falk will be marking his 80th birthday on 27 November 2012. Peter Falk was a Porsche AG employee for more than three decades.
Not only did he play a vital role in the development of many legendary sports and racing cars such as the Porsche 917, as racing director he was also primarily responsible for the greatest successes of the Porsche 956/962 in the Group C Sports Car category.
In 1959 Peter Falk began his career with Porsche as a young road testing engineer in the vehicle testing department. There he not only played a crucial role in the development of the original 911, he was also behind the wheel for the first race of the brand-new Porsche 911, taking a very respectable fifth overall at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally with co-driver Herbert Linge.
In the following years, many race car types from the 906 all the way to the 917 were designed under his responsibility as the head of pre-series and race car development with which Porsche established itself among the leaders in international motor racing.
Rallye Monte-Carlo, 1965: Porsche Race Driver Herbert Linge (right) and Peter Falk (left) with the Porsche 911 2.0 Coupé.
From 1973 to 1981 Peter Falk was the head of road testing for series development of the 911, 924 and 928 models. His special areas of expertise were bodywork and transmissions as well as track testing and endurance tests.
As the head of racing development and racing director, starting in 1982 Peter Falk was responsible for the highly successful era of Group C 956 and 962 sports-prototype racing cars. With seven overall Le Mans wins and eleven world championship titles, this racing car project proved to be the most successful in company history. Two overall victories at the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1984 and 1986 were additional high points in his career.
Peter Falk, 1968.
As the head of chassis development, from 1989 until his retirement in 1993 Peter Falk was responsible for many successful vehicle projects. He thus had a key role in the development of the 911 derivative 993 as well as advance development of the 911 derivative 996 and Porsche Boxster. Peter Falk also remained very active in the motoring world after his retirement. In addition to his work as a participant in and organizer of classic car rallies, Peter Falk is high in demand as an interview partner on automotive topics.
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.
Dennis van de Laar, Connor de Phillippi, Levin Amweg, Alex Riberas Bou, Jeffrey Schmidt, Pieter Schotthorst (l. – r.), Porsche Junior Programme, Vallelunga
Press Release29/10/2012
Porsche Junior Programme …… Stay tuned for more updates from this post.
Six finalists at evaluation drive in Vallelunga
Porsche Motorsport International Scholarship
Latest video from the shootout on the Porsche press database
Stuttgart. A video from the Porsche Motorsport International Scholarship on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested today
Porsche Junior Programme
Fifth video from the final of the process on the Porsche press database
A further video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday
Porsche Junior Programme
Fourth video from the final of the process on the Porsche press database
A further video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday (10/29 & 10/30)
Stuttgart. Six young pilots aged from 18 to 20 years will front each other to determine who receives intensive support in the 2013 season as a Porsche Junior in the Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Dennis van de Laar, Pieter Schothorst, Jeffrey Schmidt, Alex Riberas Bou, Levin Amweg, Connor de Phillippi, Porsche Junior Programme, Vallelunga
Porsche Junior Programme
Third video from the final of the process on the Porsche press database
Stuttgart. A further video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday
At the finale of the international youth selection process, two Swiss drivers Levin Amweg (18) and Jeffrey Schmidt (18), two Dutchmen Dennis van de Laar (18) and Pieter Schothorst (20), a Spaniard Alex Riberas Bou (18) as well as American Connor de Philippi (19) will undertake a comprehensive test programme this Monday and Tuesday in Vallelunga (Italy) with the 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
Porsche Junior Programme – 6 Finalisten – 6 Finalists
Stuttgart. A video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday,
In the lead-up, the six finalists had come out on top in an extensive selection process against young talents from around the world. Factors taken into account were fitness, mental strength, demeanour and technical understanding.
Pieter Schothorst, Dennis van de Laar, Levin Amweg, Connor de Phillippi, Alex Riberas Bou, Jeffrey Schmidt, Porsche Junior Programme, Vallelunga
Now working alongside engineers on the track, the junior drivers, all of whom were successful in various national and international formula race series, will be tested for consistent times over a race distance as well as in simulated qualifying laps. Moreover, candidates must demonstrate their skill in handling the media with television interviews and photo shoots.
Porsche Junior Programme 2013 – Second video from the final of the process
Stuttgart. A further video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday.
In the weeks following the selection process, two pilots will be chosen after careful analysis of all data and given support in their 2013 Carrera Cup Deutschland campaign as Porsche juniors. Porsche provides a large part of the season’s budget. The junior pilots choose their own race team based on a defined set of criteria from Porsche Motorsport
Dennis van de Laar, Levin Amweg, Pieter Schothorst, Connor de Phillippi, Jeffrey Schmidt, Alex Riberas Bou, PorscheJunior Programme, Vallelunga
Aside from financial funding as well as support from an experienced coach who accompanies the two drivers on and off the race track, the Porsche juniors receive assistance similar to the internationally successful Porsche factory pilots.
Fitness tests with constantly adapted training plans as well as media coaching, technical seminars and sponsor obligations are also part of the programme. In the 2012 season, both Porsche juniors Michael Christensen (Denmark) and Klaus Bachler (Austria) started the programme which initially runs for four years.
Porsche has intensively supported talented youngsters in motorsport since 1997. T
Stuttgart. With the artistically designed wall calendar “Mega City”, Porsche offers twelve good reasons to look forward to the future now.
Form, colour and technology combine in the official Porsche Calendar 2013 to create a unique symbiosis, promising unusual Porsche moments throughout the year.
Porsche Calendar: Mega City 2013
Month for month, the multiple award-winning Porsche Calendar 2013 in the format 59 times 55.5 centimetres guarantees an exciting year. “Mega City” displays the full sporting spectrum of the Porsche range – in a completely unexpected setting. Rather than design graphics, this year’s Porsche Calendar features striking perspectives based on realistically photographed vehicles, shown against a futuristic Mega City backdrop.
Porsche Calendar: May 2013
Contrasts in harmony: the colours of the automobiles are reflected in the tones of their surroundings, creating a harmonious whole.
Porsche Calendar: June 2013
There is also an overview page presenting all the calendar motifs, together with information on the individual vehicles.
Porsche Calendar: January 2013
This year, too, the official Porsche Calendar comes with an exclusive, 40 millimetre diameter collector’s medal showing the new Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (Type 991) on the front and the calendar motto with the number of the year, 2013, on the reverse side.
The official Porsche Calendar with the medal costs 39 Euro and is available as of now in Porsche Centres worldwide, and on the Internet at http://www.porsche.com/shop.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Christian Ried, Gianluca Roda, Paolo Ruberti
Stuttgart. The World Endurance Championship showcases the world’s fastest sports cars in the Gulf region on 29 September. At round six of the new long distance championship in Bahrain, the Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) und Richard Lietz (Austria) are keen to score their second win of the season with their Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Christian Ried, Gianluca Roda, Paolo Ruberti
More reports from qualifying and the race over the course of the weekend.
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Porsche pilots set sights on second win of season
The race
The six hour race is contested on the Bahrain International Circuit close to Sakhir. On the 5.407 kilometre track, two Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup races are held each year as support to the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Porsche drivers
Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz, the winners of the race in Spa-Francorchamps, share the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the hotly-contested GTE Pro class against strong opposition from Ferrari and Aston Martin. Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti, the winners of the season-opener in Sebring, contest the GTE Am class the 2011 model year Porsche fielded by Felbermayr-Proton.
The vehicle
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR is the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s customer racing vehicles. For the 2012 racing season, the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR received extensive modifications. Additionally, the race car was fitted with a new front splitter and an adapted rear wing after Le Mans.
The schedule
The six hour race starts on Saturday, 29 September, at 16.00 hrs local time (17.00 CEST). Eurosport 1 shows highlights on 2 October at 00.15 hrs.
Quotes before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport: “Motorsport fans in Bahrain already know and love the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup from the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and the GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East. At the World Endurance Championship, we are now looking forward to showing them some racing action with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR – our top model of customer racing vehicles – and to win them over with its performance.”
Marc Lieb: “The track is very flowing and huge fun. The decisive factor will be how well we can set-up the car for the track and the very high temperatures. Our performance in Sao Paulo was very good in the second half of the race. In Bahrain we now have to try to maintain that pace over the entire distance.”
Richard Lietz: “I competed on this circuit in 2006 with the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. It suits our car very well. In the many fast corners our aerodynamics could turn out to be a decisive advantage. I think we have the speed to win. Our minimum goal is to finish on the podium.”
The World Endurance Championship
Sports prototypes and GT vehicles race in four different classes in the World Endurance Championship: LMGTE Pro, LMGTE Am, LMP1 and the LMP2. They start together but are classified separately.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
Richard Lietz, Team Felbermayr-ProtonChristian Ried, Team Felbermayr-Proton
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team JWA-Avila: Paul Daniels, Joel Camathias, Markus Palttala
Porsche 918 Spyder-Prototyp auf der Nürburgring-Nordschleife
One year before its production launch, the plug-in hybrid super sports car from Porsche AG is already proving its superlative dynamic performance potential far surpassing all expectations placed in it. Dr. Frank Walliser, overall project leader for the 918 Spyder:
“By turning in a fabulous time of 07:14 minutes, the 918 Spyder prototype has already fully confirmed the viability of its future concept after just a few months on the road.”
Dr. Frank Walliser, Gesamtprojektleiter 918 Spyder
The lap time of the Porsche 918 Spyder prototype is one of the best ever clocked for street-legal vehicles with standard production tyres.
Porsche 918 Spyder-Prototyp auf der Nürburgring-Nordschleife
The course was only available to the development team from Weissach for one lap, and it had to be started from a standstill.
Porsche 918 Spyder-Prototyp auf der Nürburgring-Nordschleife
The plug-in hybrid super sports car with over 795 hp was equipped with production tyres from development partner Michelin as well as the optional “Weissach” package, which integrates modifications that boost driving performance.
Porsche 918 Spyder-Prototyp auf der Nürburgring-Nordschleife
