The Porsche anniversary year 2018

The first vehicle to bear the Porsche name was registered on June 8, 1948: It was the 356 “No.1” Roadster. This is the day on which the Porsche brand was born. The Type 356 turned Ferry Porsche’s dream of a sports car into a reality. In January, representatives from the state of Baden-Württemberg as well as from the city of Stuttgart and the worlds of politics, economics and society, joined Porsche to celebrate the beginning of its anniversary year with the slogan “70 years of the Porsche sports car”.


356, Mission E, l-r, 2018, Porsche AG

A clear focus on motorsport: In February, Porsche has announced the new 911 GT3 RS. The new high-performance sports car with is based on the 911 GT3, which has been refined still further to combine the performance-enhanced engine with a running-gear setup that features re-calibrated rear axle steering designed for maximum dynamics and precision.


911 GT3 RS, 2018, Porsche AG

In addition to the 911 GT3 RS, Porsche presented the concept study of an electrically powered Cross Utility Vehicle (CUV) at the Geneva International Motor Show. The four-door Mission E Cross Turismo is characterised by its emotional design language and striking off-road elements as well as the new display and operating concept with touch screen and gaze control.

Karolina Pliskova is not yet in possession of a driver’s licence – but a dream car. By winning the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, the 26-year old Czech received, alongside the prize money and world ranking points, a 718 Boxster GTS as the main prize. In the high-class and thrilling final at the long-standing Stuttgart tournament, she defeated the impressive Coco Vandeweghe 7-6 (2), 6-4 in front of capacity 4,500 crowd in the once again sold-out Porsche Arena.


Karolina Pliskova, Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2018, Final, Stuttgart, 2018, Porsche AG

Dr Wolfgang Porsche is the face of the brand and its most important ambassador. On May 10 2018 he celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday. Born in Stuttgart, the youngest son of Dorothea and Ferry Porsche has been on the Supervisory Board of the sports car manufacturer since 1978 – an impressive 40 years.


Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, 356 B, Porsche mansion, Stuttgart, 2016, Porsche AG

The future of mobility is another step closer: Series production of the first purely electric Porsche is set to begin next year. In preparation, the vehicle has now been given its official name: The “Mission E” concept study, the name currently used to describe Porsche’s complete electric offering, will be known as the Taycan.

The sports car manufacturer is also making headlines on the race track in June: Porsche celebrated a double victory at the Le Mans 24-hour marathon. In the pro-category, the Porsche 911 RSR with the starting number 92 concluded the 86th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours in first place after 344 laps.


Porsche GT Team (92), Michael Christensen (DK), Laurens Vanthoor (B), Kevin Estre (F) (l-r), Le Mans, 2018, Porsche AG

And even more highlights in motorsports: Timo Bernhard lapped the 20.832 kilometre (12.94 miles) Nürburgring Nordschleife race circuit in 5 minutes and 19.55 seconds. This results in an average speed of 233.8 km/h (145.3 mph) on what is revered by race drivers, engineers and enthusiasts alike as the world’s most difficult track. Driving the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, Bernhard beat the previous lap record, set by Stefan Bellof, by 51.58 seconds.

Porsche has unveiled the new Macan in Shanghai. The compact SUV has been a great success since its launch in 2014, and has now been significantly enhanced in terms of its design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics, allowing the Macan to remain the sporty flagship in its segment. Since 2014, Porsche has delivered more than 350,000 units. With over 100,000 deliveries to date, the model is especially popular in the Chinese market where Porsche unveiled the redesigned compact SUV.


Macan, world premiere, Shanghai, 2018, Porsche AG

Porsche Classic has built a highly desirable collector’s item: the last 911 Turbo with an air-cooled engine – 20 years after the end of series production. The design of the 993-generation 911 Turbo is based on an original bodyshell, and the vehicle’s appearance is just as unique as its history: Painted in Golden Yellow Metallic, it references the 2018 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series.


993 Turbo, the reveal, Classic Project Gold, 2018, Porsche AG

Rennsport Reunion: two words that signify the world’s largest gathering of classic Porsche race cars, held at the Laguna Seca Raceway in California. At the four-day event in California, avid motor racing enthusiasts in legendary vehicles and unforgotten works drivers from the last five decades congregate.


Rennsport Reunion VI, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, California, 2018, Porsche AG

The second electric athlete from Zuffenhausen: At its meeting on 18 October, the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG gave the green light for series production of the concept study Mission E Cross Turismo. The sports car manufacturer will create 300 additional jobs at its headquarters in Zuffenhausen for production of the vehicle, which was presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2018.


Mission E Cross Turismo, California, 2018, Porsche AG

Sensation in Los Angeles: the Porsche 911 is entering the eighth generation. The new 911 celebrated its world premiere on the eve of the L.A. Auto Show. Intelligent control and chassis elements as well as innovative assistance systems combine the masterfully uncompromising dynamism that the classic rear-engine sportscar is famed for, with the demands of the digital world.


Michael Mauer, Andreas Haffner, Lutz Meschke, Albrecht Reimold, Detlev von Platen, Oliver Blume, Michael Steiner, Uwe-Karsten Städter, August Achleitner, l-r, 911 (992), L.A. Auto Show, 2018, Porsche AG

The premiere also heralded the change of leadership at the top of the sports car model series: after almost two decades in charge of the 911 model series, and with additional responsibility for the 718 models since 2016, August Achleitner will hand over responsibility to Frank-Steffen Walliser in Q1 2019.

Porsche continues to gain momentum ahead of its ABB FIA Formula E Champion-ship entry: Neel Jani has been signed as the first driver. With the experienced Swiss racer on board, the new works team will begin track testing early in 2019 to prepare for the worldwide, fully electric single seater series’ sixth season, which kicks off in December 2019.


Neel Jani, 2018, Porsche AG

718 Boxster GTS: Fuel consumption combined 8.5 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 195 g/km

911 Carrera S: Fuel consumption combined 8.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 205 g/km

911 Carrera 4S: Fuel consumption combined 9.0 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 206 g/km

911 GT3: Fuel consumption combined 12.9 – 12.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 290 – 288 g/km

911 GT3 RS: Fuel consumption combined 12.8 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 291 g/km

911 Turbo S Exclusive Series: Fuel consumption combined 9.1 l/100 km; CO2emissions 212 g/km