The history of the Porsche automobile brand
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The history of the Porsche automobile brand

26.05.2022 /

The cars of the German manufacturer are known all over the world for their sporty performance and elegant design. The company was founded by Ferdinand Porsche. Now the headquarters is located in Germany, Stuttgart.

According to the data for 2010, the cars of this automaker occupied the highest position among all cars in the world in terms of reliability. The car brand is engaged in the production of luxury sports cars, elegant sedans and SUVs.

The history of the Porsche automobile brand

The company is actively developing in the field of car racing. This allows its engineers to develop innovative systems, many of which find application in civilian models. Since the very first model, the brand's cars have been distinguished by elegant shapes, and as far as comfort is concerned, they use advanced developments that make transport convenient for travel and dynamic travel.

History of Porsche

Before starting production of his own cars, F. Porsche collaborated with the manufacturer Auto Union, which created the Type 22 racing car.

The history of the Porsche automobile brand

The car was equipped with a 6-cylinder engine. The designer also participated in the creation of the VW Kafer. The accumulated experience helped the founder of the elite brand to immediately take the highest frontiers in the automotive industry.

The history of the Porsche automobile brand

Here are the major milestones the company has gone through:

  • 1931 - foundation of an enterprise that will focus on the development and creation of cars. Initially, it was a small design studio that collaborated with famous car companies at that time. Prior to the founding of the brand, Ferdinand worked for more than 15 years at Daimler (held the posts of chief designer and member of the board).
  • 1937 - The country needed an efficient and reliable sports car that could be displayed at the European Marathon from Berlin to Rome. The event was scheduled for 1939. Ferdinand Porsche Sr.'s draft was presented to the National Sports Committee, which was immediately approved.
  • 1939 - the first model appears, which will later become the basis for many subsequent cars.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1940-1945 car production is frozen due to the outbreak of World War II. The Porsche plant will be redesigned to develop and produce amphibians, military equipment and off-road vehicles for headquarters representatives.
  • 1945 - the head of the company goes to prison for war crimes (aiding in the production of military equipment, for example, the heavyweight tank Mouse and Tiger R). Ferdinand's son Ferry Anton Ernst takes over. He decides to produce cars of his own design. The first base model was the 356. She received a base engine and an aluminum body.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1948 - Ferry Porsche receives certification for serial production of the 356. The car receives a complete set from Kafer, which includes an air-cooled 4-cylinder engine, suspension and transmission.
  • 1950 - The company returns to Stuttgart. Starting this year, cars stopped using aluminum for bodywork. Although this made the machines a little heavier, the safety in them became much higher.
  • 1951 - the founder of the brand dies due to the fact that his health has deteriorated during his time in prison (he spent almost 2 years there). Until the early 60s, the company ramped up production of cars with different types of bodies. Development is also underway to create powerful engines. So, in 1954, cars already appeared, equipped with internal combustion engines, which had a volume of 1,1 liters, and their power reached 40 hp. during this period, new types of bodies appear, for example, a hardtop (read about the features of such bodies in a separate review) and a roadster (for more details about this type of body, read here). Engines from Volkswagen are gradually removed from the configuration, and their own analogues are installed. On the 356A model, it is already possible to order power units equipped with 4 camshafts. The ignition system receives two ignition coils. In parallel with the updating of road versions of the car, sports cars are being developed, for example, the 550 Spyder.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1963-76 The family-owned company car is already gaining an excellent reputation. By that time, the model had already received two series - A and B. By the beginning of the 60s, engineers had developed a prototype of the next car - 695. As to whether to release it into a series or not, the brand's management had no consensus. Some believed that the running car had not yet exhausted its resource, while others were sure that it was time to expand the model range. In any case, the start of the production of another car is always associated with a great risk - the audience may not accept it, which is why it will be necessary to look for funds for a new project.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1963 - at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Porsche 911 concept was presented to fans of car innovations. Partly the novelty had some elements from its predecessor - a rear-engined layout, boxer engine, rear-wheel drive. However, the car had original sporty lines. The car initially had a 2,0-liter engine with a capacity of 130 horsepower. Subsequently, the car becomes iconic, as well as the face of the company.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1966 - the favorite 911 model gets a body update - Targa (a kind of convertible, about which you can read separately).The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • Early 1970s - especially "charged" modifications appear - Carrera RSThe history of the Porsche automobile brand with a 2,7 liter engine and its analogue - RSR.
  • 1968 - The grandson of the company's founder uses 2/3 of the company's annual budget to manufacture 25 sports cars of his own design - the Porsche 917. The reason for this is the technical director decided that the brand must participate in the 24 Le Mans automobile marathon. This caused strong disapproval from the family, because as a result of the failure of this project, the company would go bankrupt. Despite the enormous risk, Ferdinand Piëch goes to the end, which leads the company to victory in the famous marathon.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • In the second half of the 60s, another model was launched into the series. The Porsche-Volkswagen alliance worked on the project. The fact is that VW needed a sports car, and Porshe needed a new model that would be the successor to the 911, but its cheaper version with a 356 engine.
  • 1969 - Production of a joint production model Volkswagen-Porsche 914 begins. The engine was located in the car just behind the front row of seats to the rear axle. The body is already liked by many Targa, and the power unit was 4 or 6 cylinders. Due to an ill-conceived marketing strategy, as well as an unusual appearance, the model did not receive the expected response.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1972 - the company changes its structure from a family business to a public one. Now she got the prefix AG instead of KG. Although the Porsche family lost full control of the firm, most of the capital was still in the hands of Ferdinand Jr. The rest became owned by VW. The company was headed by an employee of the engine development department - Ernst Fürmann. His first decision was the start of production of the 928 model with an 8-cylinder engine located in the front. The car replaced the popular 911. Until he left the position of CEO in the 80s, the line of the famous car did not develop.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1976 - under the hood of a Porsche car there were now power units from a companion - VW. An example of such models is the 924th, 928th and 912th. The company focuses on the development of these cars.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1981 - Fuerman is removed from the position of CEO, and manager Peter Schutz is appointed in his place. During his tenure, the 911 regains its unspoken status as a key brand model. It receives a number of external and technical updates, which are reflected in the series markings. So, there is a modification of the Carrera with a motor, the power of which reaches 231 hp, Turbo and Carrera Clubsport.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1981-88 the 959 rally model is produced. It was a real masterpiece of engineering: a 6-cylinder 2,8-liter engine with two turbochargers developed 450hp, four-wheel drive, an adaptive suspension with four shock absorbers per wheel (could change the ground clearance cars), Kevlar body. In the 1986 Paris-Dakkar competition, the car brought the first two places in the overall standings.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1989-98 key modifications of the 911 series, as well as front-engined sports cars, are discontinued. The newest cars appear - Boxter. The company is going through a difficult period that seriously affects its financial condition.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1993 - the director of the company changes again. Now it becomes V. Videking. During the period from 81 to 93, 4 directors were replaced. The global crisis of the 90s left its mark on the production of cars of the popular German brand. Until 96, the brand has been updating current models, boosting the engines, improving the suspension and redesigning the bodywork (but without deviating from the classic look typical of Porsche).
  • 1996 - the production of the new "face" of the company starts - the model 986 Boxter. The new product used a boxer motor (boxer), and the body was made in the form of a roadster. With this model, the business of the company went up a bit. The car was popular until 2003, when the 955 Cayenne entered the market. One plant cannot cope with the load, so the company is building several more factories.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1998 - the production of "air" modifications of the 911 is closed, and the son of the founder of the company, Ferry Porsche, dies.
  • 1998 - the updated Carrera (4th generation convertible) appears, as well as two models for car lovers - the 966 Turbo and GT3 (changed the abbreviation RS).The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2002 - at the Geneva Motor Show, the brand unveils the utility sports utility vehicle Cayenne. In many ways, it is similar to the VW Touareg, because the development on this car was carried out jointly with a "related" brand (since 1993, the post of Volkswagen CEO is occupied by the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, F. Piëch).
  • 2004 - the Carrera GT concept supercar is launchedThe history of the Porsche automobile brand which was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2000. The novelty received a 10-cylinder V-shaped engine with 5,7 liters and a maximum power of 612 hp. the body of the car was partially made of a composite material, which was based on carbon fiber. The powertrain was paired with a 6-speed ceramic clutch box. The braking system was equipped with carbon ceramic pads. Until 2007, according to the results of the race at the Nurburgring, this car was the fastest in the world among production road models. The track record was broken by just 50 milliseconds by the Pagani Zonda F.
  • Until now, the company continues to delight sports enthusiasts in luxury cars with the release of new super powerful models, such as the Panamera.The history of the Porsche automobile brand 300 horsepower in 2010 and the Cayenne Coupe 40 more powerful (2019). The Cayenne Turbo Coupe proved to be one of the most productive. Its power unit develops a power of 550hp.
  • 2019 - The company was fined 535 million euros for the fact that the brand used engines from Audi, which, according to environmental standards, did not meet the declared parameters.

Owners and management

The company was founded by the German designer F. Porsche Sr. in 1931. Initially it was a closed company that belonged to the family. As a result of active cooperation with Volkswagen, the brand moved to the status of a public company, the main partner of which was VW. This happened in 1972.

Throughout the history of the brand's existence, the Porsche family owned the lion's share of the capital. The rest was owned by its sister brand VW. Related in the sense that the CEO of VW since 1993 is the grandson of the founder of Porsche, Ferdinand Piëch.

In 2009, Piëch signed an agreement to merge the family companies into one group. Since 2012, the brand has been operating as a separate division of the VAG group.

Logo story

Throughout the history of the elite brand, all models have worn and still wear one single logo. The emblem depicts a 3-color shield, in the center of which is the silhouette of a reared horse.

The background (shield with antlers and red and black stripes) was taken from the coat of arms of the Free People's State of Württemberg, which existed until 1945. The horse was taken from the coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart (was the capital of Württemberg). This element was reminiscent of the origin of the city - it was originally founded as a large farm for horses (in 950).

The history of the Porsche automobile brand

The Porsche logo appeared in 1952 when the brand's geography reached the United States. Before corporate branding was introduced, cars simply bore the Porsche logo.

Participation in races

Since the very first prototype of a sports car, the company has been actively involved in various automotive competitions. Here are some of the brand's achievements:

  • Winning races at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Model 356 in aluminum body);The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • Arrivals on the roads of Mexico Carrera Panamericana (carried out for 4 years since 1950);
  • The Italian Mille Miglia endurance race, which took place on public roads (from 1927 to 57);
  • Targo Florio public road races in Sicily (held between 1906-77);
  • 12-hour circuit endurance races at the former airbase in Sebring in Florida, USA (held every year since 1952);The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • Races on the track of the German Automobile Club in Nurburgring, which have been held since 1927;
  • Rally racing in Monte Carlo;
  • Rally Paris-Dakkar.

In total, the brand has 28 thousand victories in all the listed competitions.

The lineup

The company's lineup includes the following key vehicles.

Prototypes

  • 1947-48 - prototype # 1 based on VW Kafer. The model was named 356. The power unit that was used in it was of the boxer type.The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1988 - the predecessor to the Panamera, which was based on the 922 and 993 chassis.The history of the Porsche automobile brand

Serial sports models (with boxer motors)

  • 1948-56 - the first car in production - the Porsche 356The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1964-75 - 911, which had the in-house number 901, but this number could not be used in the series, since Peugeot had exclusive rights to this marking;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1965-69; 1976 - a cross between 911 (looks) and 356 (powertrain) models, which made the car cheaper - 912;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1970-76 - after the 912 left the market, a new joint development with Volkswagen - the 914 model;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1971 - Porsche 916 - the same 914, only with a more powerful engine;
  • 1975-89 - 911 series, second generation;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1987-88 - modification 959 receives the "Audience Award" and is recognized as the most beautiful and technically advanced car of the 80s;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1988-93 - Model 964 - third generation 911;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1993-98 - modification 993 (generation 4 of the main brand model);The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1996-04 - a new product appears - Boxter. From 2004 to the present day, its second generation has been produced;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1997-05 - production of the fifth generation of the 911 series (modification 996);The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2004-11 - Release of the 6th generation 911 (model 997)The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2005-present - production of another novelty Cayman, which has a similar base to the Boxter, and has a coupe body;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2011-present - The 7th generation of the 911 series was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which is still in production today.The history of the Porsche automobile brand

Sports prototypes and racing cars (boxer motors)

  • 1953-56 - model 550. A car with a streamlined body without a roof for two seats;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1957-61 - Mid-engined racing car with a 1,5 liter unit;
  • 1961 - A Formula 2 racing car, but was used in the F-1 championship that year. The model received the number 787;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1961-62 - 804, which brought victory in the F1 races;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1963-65 - 904. The racing car received a lightweight body (only 82 kg.) And a frame (54 kg.);The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1966-67 - 906 - developed by F. Piech, nephew of the founder of the company;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1967-71 - new modifications are produced for participation in races on closed tracks and ring tracks - 907-910;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1969-73 The 917 wins 2 wins for the company in the Le Mans endurance races;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1976-77 - Upgraded racing model 934;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1976-81 - production of one of the most successful modifications of those years - 935. The sports car brought more than 150 victories in all kinds of races;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1976-81 - A more advanced prototype of the previous model was marked 936;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1982-84 - Designed a racing car for the World Championship hosted by the FIA;
  • 1985-86 - Model 961 created for endurance racingThe history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1996-98 - Launch of the next generation of the 993 GT1, which receives the 996 GT1 designation.The history of the Porsche automobile brand

Series sports cars equipped with in-line engines

  • 1976-88 - 924 - water cooling system was first used on this model;
  • 1979-82 - 924 Turbo;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1981 - 924 Carrera GT, adapted for use on public roads;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1981-91 - 944, replacing model 924;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 1985-91 - 944 Turbo, which received a turbocharged engine;
  • 1992-95 - 968. Model closes the company's line of front-engined cars.The history of the Porsche automobile brand

Series sports cars equipped with V-shaped engines

  • 1977-95 - 928 in the second year of production, the model was recognized as the best car among European models;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2003-06 - Carrera GT, which set a world record at the Nürburgring, which lasted until 2007;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2009-present - Panamera - model with 4-seat front-engined layout (with driver). Equipped with rear or all-wheel drive;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2013-15 - Model 918 is released - a supercar with a hybrid power plant. The car showed a high level of efficiency - to overcome 100 kilometers, the car needed only three liters and 100 grams of gasoline.The history of the Porsche automobile brand

Crossovers and SUVs

  • 1954-58 - 597 Jagdwagen - the very first full-frame SUVThe history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2002-present - production of the Cayenne crossover, which was equipped with an 8-cylinder V-shaped engine. In 2010, the model received the second generation;The history of the Porsche automobile brand
  • 2013-present - Macan compact crossover.The history of the Porsche automobile brand

At the end of the review, we offer a short video about the evolution of the cars of the German automaker:

WCE - Porsche Evolution (1939-2018)

Questions and answers:

Which country produces Porsche? The headquarters of the company is located in Germany (Stuttgart), and cars are assembled in Leipzig, Osnabrück, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. There is a factory in Slovakia.

Who is the creator of Porsche? The company was founded by designer Ferdinand Porsche in 1931. Today, half of the company's shares are owned by Volkswagen AG.

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